Lost access - help!

[chickey]

Hi,

Strange one - have been using Amahi for over a year now and very happy with it but today, putty would not allow me access to the server.

I then tried to login to the server at the console. Tried root and my amahi credentials, both of which have worked previously, to no avail.

The server is started and Amahi is serving files to the usual media clients as normal, though.

I did notice that a user account had disappeared on me some months ago, but a useradd sorted it and have had no trouble since, until today.

Could this have been as a result of an automatic update of Fedora (it's version 12 btw) or something?

Anyone any ideas/suggestions? TIA!

C.

[bigfoot65]

Never use the linux useradd command when dealing with Amahi users. It is important that users are only added via the dashboard. This ensures Amahi and the OS do not get out of sync.

Now is it possible that you have mistyped the user name or password? Check that the CAPS lock is not engaged. It may sound silly, but many have made that mistake.

We no longer support Fedora 12 and system updates were ceased quite some time ago. Doubtful that would be the cause of your problems. Accounts don't disappear unless someone removes them. Is it possible your system was hacked?

[chickey]

Never use the linux useradd command when dealing with Amahi users. It is important that users are only added via the dashboard. This ensures Amahi and the OS do not get out of sync.

Good to know. When I checked the Amahi dashboard, the user was there, but come to think of it, could it have been there even though the OS user account wasn't and the useradd just sync'ed them back up again (if you know what I mean)?

Now is it possible that you have mistyped the user name or password? Check that the CAPS lock is not engaged. It may sound silly, but many have made that mistake.

First things I checked - I was definitely typing in the correct accounts and their passwords - got caught like that previously so learned my lesson!

We no longer support Fedora 12 and system updates were ceased quite some time ago. Doubtful that would be the cause of your problems. Accounts don't disappear unless someone removes them. Is it possible your system was hacked?

I would doubt it. No other signs on any other server/PC in my network. Nothing in the logs. Router checks out ok. The last time it happened, the account that disappeared was an account I created with generic read only credentials (for media clients).

Any other suggestions? Unless there are, I am going to try the root password reset to get in and reset all again (funny though considering the server is still serving media files ok though).

Would there be much point in doing this and essentially staying on Fed12, or would it be better (would there be any major risks?) in upgrading this to the latest version instead. What would the best way to upgrade be - in place upgrade, or can I reinstall the up to date version of Amahi on the root disk and create/point shares to my existing media folders (on different HDDs in the same server)? Setup is small main drive for OS/Amahi, and two separate 1.5Tb drives for media (no greyhole).

Many thanks for your response.

C.

[bigfoot65]

Might be best to upgrade. I will caution you that it's not a simple task. Since your shares are on separate drives, that will help. Just have to disconnect those until the OS and Amahi is installed.

You might consider Ubuntu or waiting for Fedora 18. We hope to have it ready in the next few weeks. Apps data would need backed up so you can restore on the new build.

There is not concise guide for doing this yet. If you are up to it, I am sure it won't take too long for sort out.