no access for root on X-server (local)

Li... · 02-15-2004, 06:52 PM

Hi,

on my X-server the superuser (root) have no access to the X-server. When I try to run by example xload as superuser, then I get the message:

-----
$/root# xload
Xlib: connection to ":0.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified

Error: Can't open display: :0.0
$/root#
-----

Does anybody know what can I do to fix this? Currently installed distribution is Debian woody/sid.

Li

DrOzz · 02-15-2004, 06:54 PM

are you logged into X as a normal user, and trying to run things from a terminal logged in as root ?

Li... · 02-15-2004, 07:02 PM

Yes, I log in (X-server, kdm) as normal user and then I open a terminal session (rxvt), change my ID with 'su -' or 'su'.

DrOzz · 02-15-2004, 07:19 PM

well thats the whole problem ...
you can't log in as one user, and try to run something as another user within that users session ..
read this

smith847be · 02-15-2004, 09:48 PM

Just to put this on this thread, here you go: Run this command first (while you are logged in as the normal user):

xhost +local:root

or this will allow access by any user on that physical computer:

xhost +localhost

That allows root/others to have access to the x server. See the man pages for xhost. This, however is only effective for that session, so if you always want root access, then you need to put this in a startup script.

eaglegst · 02-16-2004, 03:43 AM

I recommand use gdm as default display manager.

DrOzz · 02-16-2004, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smith847be
YES YOU CAN! Run this command first (while you are logged in as the normal user):

xhost +local:root

dont' make it sound like your proving me wrong ...
that info is in the link i suppled

smith847be · 02-16-2004, 10:17 AM

Sorry, DrOzz, didn't notice that link when I first saw this. "you can't log in as one user, and try to run something as another user within that users session ..". That made it sound like you were saying otherwise - that's what I was responding to.

Li... · 02-16-2004, 05:12 PM

The solution for my problem was found!

I've tried the xhost +local:root and it works!
Few month or weeks ago I've tried this with the xhost command as well as the Xauthority, but both failed. The xhost command which I've used was only xhost +127.0.0.1 and that does not work.

Thanks for you fast response, I put this command in the xserver startup script.

Li

vectordrake · 02-16-2004, 05:45 PM

Why do you want root to have so much access to the Xserver like this? Most systems with Gnome and KDE will caution you that its not a good idea to log in to X as root when you try.

Li... · 02-16-2004, 05:57 PM

The reason is: When I try to install or remove packages with a graphical front-end I've to be root. Some other tools for this task are checking the UID before running. That I have to be root on a x-session is very rare.

Li

vectordrake · 02-16-2004, 06:01 PM

Don't enable it by default then. That's opening up a risk you don't need. Perhaps you can make a little shell script to do it when you need to execute the tool as root.

What distro are you running? I ask because most prompt you for your root password before churning ahead with the GUI tool.