Can I reformat without my name and password?

[KudosMatrix7]

I left my comp for two years then came back, let Linux update, only to realize I was forced to put my name and password in but I can't seem to remember my username. Is there a way to just reformat and make a new one or am I screwed? Thanks

[oshunluvr]

Reformat? Do you mean wipe out the hard drive? No reason why you can't reformat and reinstall or use GpartedLive to reformat. If you boot to a LiveUSB or CD, it won't search your hard drive for passwords.

If you want to keep your current install, you can boot into recovery mode and reset the user password.

[KudosMatrix7]

Hmm, how do I boot in recovery mode and do I need to remember my username?

[PaulW2U]

Hmm, how do I boot in recovery mode and do I need to remember my username?

No, see http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/resetpassword for a guide to recovering your username and resetting your password.

[KudosMatrix7]

Yes!!!! For some reason it told me there was a password authentication error but I knew my password and just not my username which this method allowed me to discover, so I got in!

Thank you so very much, I thought I was screwed for a bit there, thank you a million times over