"Jeremy C. Reed" <reed@reedmedia.net>  wrote:
 > > I am locked out of the NetBSD box. I booted in single user mode and mounted
 > > /usr/sbin
 > > 
 > > when I run vipw it says the file is busy.
 > > 
 > > do you know how I can reset the root password.. or why this file is busy..
 > 
 > Check to see if you have a /etc/ptmp file. If you do, then it is locked.
 > Since you are in single user mode, then it probably a stale lock -- maybe
 > delete it. (/etc/ptmp should be a copy of your /etc/master.passwd.)

either /etc/ptmp or / is read-only.

 > (I believe tech-security is the wrong forum for these questions.)

definitely.