No sound as Root, but sound as standard user

Kenny_Strawn · 08-31-2010, 06:25 PM

How come the sound system in Linux Mint runs just fine as an average user but doesn't respond as Root? I had the same problem with Ubuntu when I used sudo passwd to enable the root account (and this is on an Acer Aspire One AOA110-1545).

Attached is an example of what happens when I run "Sound Preferences" as root:

WaitingForSoundSystemToRespond.jpg

MS3FGX · 08-31-2010, 09:27 PM

You aren't supposed to be running as the root user, and in modern desktop-oriented distributions the system may behave in unexpected ways if you try.

SkyEye · 08-31-2010, 09:37 PM

I'm not sure exactly why this is happening, but this might have something to do with both Ubuntu and Mint coming with root account disabled by default. Anyway, it's always a bad idea to do your daily work in root.

The rule of thumb goes as "Never ever log in a root unless you really have to and you can't get su/sudo to do it".

Sorry for not being more helpful.

Kenny_Strawn · 08-31-2010, 10:25 PM

Ubuntu has the root account disabled by default. Mint doesn't. Why? Because I didn't have to run sudo passwd on it. Regardless, it still does this.