HD Install :: Persistent Passwords with Frugal Installation?

Hi

I've done a frugal hd installation and woul'd like to access via ssh to the machine.
So I need to know the passwords. Setting passwords is possible (sudo passwd or cheat code "secure") but i loose passwords after rebooting.

(1) With cheat code "secure" there's a prompt for new passwords after EVERY boot - is that normal?

(2) How can i change passwords persistently (with frugal installation)?

Thanks for any hints

Ueli

1) Yes, it's normal. It's an alternative to backing up your passwords.
2) Backup /etc/shadow. There may be other files needing to be backed up for certain things like ssh (/etc/passwd or /etc/gshadow for example), but for my uses /etc/shadow has been the only one necessary. I don't use ssh...I just have a plain old login prompt and shadow does the job for that.
If you happen to use both the 'secure' option and a backup, the backup will override the 'secure' option unless you also use the 'norestore' option.

Thanks - seems to be enough to save and restore /etc/shadow

original here.