When the password of the root user is lost, it is troublesome to reset the password, and the machine needs to be restarted. For security, the password of the root user must be properly configured and kept.
Step 1: Prepare a bootable AIX installation CD or installation tape medium or a local backup tape that is consistent with the current AIX system version and level of the machine, insert the CD or tape into the corresponding drive, and restart the system.
Step 2: Make sure that the boot device of the machine is changed to CD or tape.
When an icon appears on the console screen or you hear a beep, press the F1 key repeatedly until the System Management Services (SMS) menu appears, then follow the on-screen menu prompts.
Step 3: Determine the console
Make the current terminal the system console by pressing the F1 key and then pressing the Enter key.
Step 4: Select the prompt language during installation
Select English as the prompt language by selecting 1 and pressing Enter.
Step 5: This step is very important, do not choose the wrong one.
The screen displays: Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance
1. Start install Now With Default Setting
2. Change/Show Installation Settings and Install
3. Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery
"3.Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery" must be selected
Step 6: There are 4 options in the Maintenance interface:
1. Access a Root Volume Group
2. Copy a System Dumo to Removeable Media
3. Access Advanced Maintenance Function
4. Install From a System Backup
"1.Access a Root Volume Group" should be selected
Step 7: On the next screen, a warning message is displayed, select "0 Continue".
Step 8: Select VG.
Press the VG's number, then press Enter.
Step 9: Choose the way to access rootvg.
Two options appear on the screen:
1. Access this volume group and start a shell
2. Access this volume group and start a shell before mounting filesystems
"1. Access this volume group and start a shell" should be selected.
Step 10: When a command prompt appears, run the passwd command to reset the password of the root user.
Step 11: Restart the system again. Run the following commands: sync;sync;reboot