On Friday 20 March 2015 14:34:59 Gerhard Zintel wrote:
> On Friday 20 March 2015, Gene Heskett wrote:
> > password.  But the only way to get rid of a root password is a bare
> > metal reinstall.
>
> surely not. I don't know the answer by heart, but editing in
> /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow, or other files for sure gives you the
> possibility to get rid of the password.
>
> Here seems to be an answer to your question:
> http://www.debianadmin.com/enable-and-disable-ubuntu-root-password.htm
>l
>
> In short:
> --- snip ---
> If you want to disable root account in ubuntu you need to lock the
> root account by using the following command
>
> $sudo passwd -l root
> --- snip ---

I just tried that, an unlike the last time, sudo still works.  That could 
be precisely be the answer. 

> I've not tested it though
>
> Gerhard

I just did test, but what that -l does is change the expiry time, so I've 
no clue atm how long it might still be good for.

Thanks Gerhard.

Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
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