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How can I get into a Linux operated computer without password and username

My dad passed away 10 years ago leaving behind his Linux operated desktop with all of our family photos and videos on it, without his username and password. Is there a way we can get into his account on there without wiping out all the files??

Topic

All too easy.

In reply to How can I get into a Linux operated computer without password and username

Boot up Linux from some USB or CD/DVD and look around. The file manager is similar to Windows.

We don’t install or learn Linux! Read http://tips.oncomputers.info/archives2004/0401/2004-Jan-11.htm

USB

In reply to All too easy.

Hi, thanks for responding! Sorry I’m minimal at tech! I’ve had a read of that article. So I could buy say the Ubuntu usb, plug it into the computer, and then i can somehow access all the files on the computer itself? Thanks! Sorry

Never had to buy any Linux USB.

In reply to USB

They are free to make. There are thousands of YouTubes and web pages about making one and booting it up.

Here’s one about using the file manager and copying out to another drive. Read the GUI section at https://www.linux.com/training-tutorials/how-move-files-using-linux-commands-or-file-managers/ for example.

Re: USB

In reply to USB

It’s less work to burn a DVD with Linux to boot from than a USB-stick. So if that old PC has a DVD-drive and you have a DVD-burner on your PC or laptop I’d start with that.

And, it could be you have to go into the BIOS first to set the boot sequence. It’s not uncommon to have the HDD at the first position and then the PC will boot from that, whatever other bootable DVD or USB-stick you have.
That’s the “Press DEL to enter the BIOS setup”-message. But depending on the PC, it can be a lot of other keys.

If you don’t manage to boot from you Linux-bootable disc or stick, get the hard disk out of your fathers PC, put it in an external enclosure and connect that to any PC you can get Linux running on, or maybe a Mac (I think a Mac can read a Unix-drive natively, although I’m not sure of that).

Best of luck to get the family photos out of that PC. If you can’t get it done yourself, any repair shop will do it for you. It might well be worth the costs.

Answers

In reply to How can I get into a Linux operated computer without password and username

thnks for info guys!

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