ifconfig doesn't work
 

When I am logged in as a user or as root, I am told that ifconfig isn't a valid command, so I figured that for some reason it wasnt put in my /usr/bin command list so i cd to the sbin dir where it is and tried it from there, still no luck. I have never had this problem before. What is up with this command?

Gain root access with.
Then try again ifconfig.

Boby

already tried that remember. Pleas read my original post.

your original post doesn't say you tried the "-" option...

Alright here is an update.

while i am longed in as my self i still have the problem. if I su in i still have the problem. if i su - in idont have the problem, and if i directly log in as root i dont have the problem.

Are you just running "ifconfig" to see your interfaces, or are you assigning an IP or something? Meaning, is the issue possibly syntax? What do you get if you do a "which ifconfig" or a "type ifconfig"? In /sbin did you execute "ifconfig" or "./ifconfig"?

edit: I missed your last post - your problem is your "environment" and specifically your path. Either log in as root, or use "su -" to remedy the issue (as you've seen). This is not a bug, it's a feature.

ccerino--
reason is that the "su" command grants you root privs, but does NOT load the root user environment(more pointedly, you don't get root's "PATH" variable) doing the "su -" gets you root's path and IIRC home dir too. The same thing as logging in as root. It's not a problem, it's actually by design. By default only root can do ifconfig, and the system will only find it when root's enviro is loaded

I wouldn't recommend logging in as root in X!

Boby

ccerino--
reason is that the "su" command grants you root privs, but does NOT load the root user environment(more pointedly, you don't get root's "PATH" variable) doing the "su -" gets you root's path and IIRC home dir too. The same thing as logging in as root. It's not a problem, it's actually by design. By default only root can do ifconfig, and the system will only find it when root's enviro is loaded


dang...I just learned something today!!!!! Im such a newb :p
thxs
dareino

Thank You
 

Just want to say thank you from a newbie on everyone's insight