Changing Password In BOSS Linux (Tamil Nadu Laptops)

Here is how you can change your password in BOSS Linux. The procedure is common for all GNOME 2.x Linux operating systems, but recently the BOSS Helpline is being flooded with calls from students who have received free laptops from the Tamil Nadu Government, so the support guys asked us to help them out, and so I want to be a little Google search friendly. I assume people will search something similar to Tamil Nadu Government laptop password change, or BOSS password change, or BOSS authorization code ???

If you received the laptop as part of the Tamil Nadu Gov scheme, there will be two default passwords. One is "boss" - the normal user password and the other is "root" - the administrative password.

• When you login, for example, you'll have to enter boss as password. 
• When you click on the Windows drive in linux and it asks for a password, you'll have to enter root.

To change the user password (first one)

In your desktop you should be seeing Applications, Places, System in the bottom. Click on System -> Administration -> Users and Groups.

You'll see something similar this,

Click on the change and give whatever password you want.

To change the admin password (second one)

Go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal

Type sudo -i and press the Enter key.

If it asks for a password, enter your first password.

If it is successful, you'll find the wordings change from boss@boss to root@boss

Now, type passwd

Enter the new password.

The system will not accept weak passwords, however if you want to make life simpler at your own peril, type pam-auth-update --remove passwdqc

After you've given that the system will not bother you when you enter weak passwords.

If you are still not sure, call 1800 4250 455