I am using Fedora 14. I installed the OS, and I
have the root password. I use the machine as a
non-root user.

If I try to login as root from the initial login
screen, I get an error saying permission denied.
If I login as the non-root user, and try to do
something that requires root privileges, e.g.,
modify a firewall rule, a dialog box comes up,
asking for root password. I get authenticated
without any issues.

However, if I try to do a 'sudo root' from the
console, the system asks for the root password
of the non-root user, which does not exist.So
typing in the root password does not work.

Could some Fedora guru suggest a remedy ?
Thanks in advance for your help.

2 things at you question needs to be clearafity:

1: 'dialog box' mean that it is on the GUI env ?
2: i have no idea what is 'sudo root'.

In order to get to the root account with all the env var you need to do "su -"
And far as i know you the sudo system in the fedora distro isn't like the ubuntu one.

Not recommended, but this should work, similar actions taken if you run KDE http://www.liberiangeek.net/2010/12/...a-14-laughlin/. From the console just type hit enter and put in the root password, and you can execute commands as root from there, type exit when done to end root session of console. Do not log in as root if you don't have to.

The sudo command stands for "superuser do". It prompts you for your personal password and confirms your request to execute a command by checking a file, called "sudoers", which the system administrator configures. Using the sudoers file, system administrators can give certain users or groups access to some or all commands without those users having to know the root password. It also logs all commands and arguments so there is a record of who used it for what, and when.

When you enter the sudo command and any command you want to execute, what it asks is the users password and not the root.(usually used for executing single commands)

Fedora doesn't add users to this sudoers list by default. It is left to the root to configure.
In simple words, Fedora does not configure "sudo" by default.

On the other hand, The su command stands for "switch user", and allows you to become another user (usually used to become root).

If you still wanna hold on to "sudo" for some change. u can check the manual for sudoers. type "man sudoers" in the terminal and apply the proper configuration as per given.

as stated above please use " su -" then the root password
and do that as a normal user

that is the default set up for fedora

also BE ADVISED fedora 14 will hit it's End Of Life in 6 weeks
time to install fedora 15
or
in 2 to 3 weeks install fedora 16

FWIW, I don't believe the root user can log in via the GUI, but I have no problem logging in as root to the CLI (not that I do it very often).

In Fedora 14 You cannot login as a root from gui. By Default, only Normal users are allowed to login from gui mode.

Here is a nice step by step guide with pics, i was researching this subject myself few days ago.

http://razibdeb.wordpress.com/2011/0...-in-fedora-14/

but please do not use that "pam" hack
there ARE VERY big problems with that .
A lot of tools WILL NOT WORK from root if you do .

both fedora AND the Gnome desktop
killed off the root gui boot
-- for GOOD REASONS ---

I posted this query in another thread that I recently started about a non-booting new kernel, but it might be better to tack it onto this one.

Originally Posted by John VV
AAMOI & FMI what are those good reasons?

I ask because, apart from su -, I've been using the "commentingoutline2 in /etc/pam.d/password" hack to get at "root" for months with no apparent problems.
It's so good/vitalIMO to be able to get at "root" from the GUI or my user account

And, AAMOI, how come the user account(s) don't appear in the Home folder when viewed from "outside"?

TIA
Paul W