[CLOSED] Can't login at Mageia 4 beta 2 after big update

[janpihlgren]

Running in VMware Workstation 9.04.
After done a big update (804 packages) of Mageia 4 beta 2 (i586) this morning it is impossible to log in.
The same happends a few days ago when I did a big update of Mageia 4 Beta 1.
It is impossible to login as your own or as root. Both trying to login through GUI or through terminal.
The same happeds to me with Mageia 4 Alpha 2. I don't understand why this happends and I don't know how to solv such a problem.
There have to be some major problem with the update process that destroy the possibility to login.

Now I did a new clean installation of Mageia 4 Beta 2 to test if the problem still exist after an update. The installation was done from an iso dated 12 dec 2013.
The login worked s expected. Added new media.
After a few minutes I get a signal (mgaonline) that there is new updates (14 packages, includes draktools 16.13 and harddrake.
Logged out and logged in again. No problem logg in. Vaiting for a new signal for more updates.

[jkerr82508]

The culprit may have been an update to the setup package. When setup is updated, you may be asked if you want to update certain config files, such as /etc/passwd. It is usually best to keep the existing config files and not accept the "rpmnew" versions.

Jim

[janpihlgren]

That's looks like to be the reason to the for the problem.
But how do I do to repair the error. I can't access the system because its impossible to login as root?
I supose that the old setup-file still exist?

[jkerr82508]

The previous version of /etc/passwd is usually kept as /etc/passwd-. It may be possible to boot a live CD or the Mageia rescue system, mount the root partition of the installed system and restore the previous version, or preferably from a system backup, if you have one.

Jim

[janpihlgren]

I have been informed to do as in this topic
https://forums.mageia.org/en/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6346
But I do not understand where to hit the F6 key.
Is there anyone that can explain where to hit the F6-key? I need more detailed instructions.

[doktor5000]

Unfortunately the installer uses different shortcuts than the installed system. For installer, it's F6: http://doc.mageia.org/installer/3/en/co ... aller.html
For the installed system, it's F3.

[janpihlgren]

Thanks for info. It help me change the root password. But then I couldn't change the user password.
I also have been informed why this happends, choose setup.new at the updateprocess, an important knowledge for the future.
For me the case is closed now when I understand what's happend.
Thanks for help.

[doktor5000]

For me the case is closed now when I understand what's happend.

Well, Ken-Bergen explained already what happened, what do you miss?