To reset the root password on a Red Hat system when you've forgotten it, you typically use the GRUB bootloader to enter emergency mode. However, the screenshot you shared shows that after using rd.break, you are dropped into an emergency shell, but the root filesystem is mounted as read-only. Here’s how you can proceed to reset the root password:

Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Root Password

1. Reboot the System

• Restart your machine.
• At the GRUB menu, select the entry for your Red Hat system and press e to edit the boot parameters.

2. Edit the Boot Parameters

• Find the line starting with linux16 or linuxefi.

• At the end of this line, add the following:

  text

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  rd.break init=/bin/bash

  This will break the boot process before the root filesystem is mounted and drop you into a shell with a writable /sysroot.

• Press Ctrl+X or Ctrl+Enter to boot with these changes.

3. Remount /sysroot as Read-Write

• In the shell, run:
  bash

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  mount -o remount,rw /sysroot

4. Chroot into /sysroot

• Run:
  bash

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  chroot /sysroot

5. Reset the Root Password

• Now, use the passwd command to reset the root password:
  bash

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  passwd root

• Enter the new password twice when prompted.

6. Relabel SELinux (if applicable)

• If SELinux is enforced, run:
  bash

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  touch /.autorelabel

7. Exit and Reboot

• Exit the chroot and shell:
  bash

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  exit
  exit

• The system will continue booting. Log in with the new root password.

Why Your Current Approach Fails

• The screenshot shows you are in emergency mode, but the root filesystem is mounted as read-only. The rd.break method alone does not automatically remount /sysroot as read-write, which is why you cannot edit files directly.
• The init=/bin/bash parameter ensures you get a shell with the ability to remount /sysroot as read-write.

Summary of Commands