Hi all,

I'm an epic noob to Linux, and after getting Fedora 12 installed all fine I'm now stuck at logging in.

I've figured out that Fedora automatically starts up the GUI when it boots, and then that you can't log into the GUI as root user. However since I haven't had a chance to log into the system at all to create another user, I'm stuck - I can't log in with root, but it's the only user account that currently exists.

I booted into the CLI ctrl+alt+F1 and am now at the GNU Grub version 0.97, with grub> on screen and no freaking idea what to do next.

Can someone please give me an idea on how I can create a user account to log into the GUI and continue my learnings?

Thanks!

J

PS, sorry for the step explanation of what I've done, but I figure the more info i give, the easier it will be to solve my problem.

Welcome to LQ.

Try the command: adduser
It's an interactive script that should guide you through the process of adding a new user.

The grub prompt is a boot prompt. If you're getting the grub prompt, the machine isn't booted yet. You have to get a login prompt. After you log in as root, type man useradd

Yes I forgot to add. You need to boot the machine first and log in to GUI, then:
1. open the terminal,
2. type 'su' + your root password.

As AwesomeMachine suggests, you can check the manual of useradd. The command 'adduser' is just a script that asks you a couple of questions and uses 'useradd' to create a user. I haven't used fedora for a couple of years now so don't remember but you might have to issue: /sbin/adduser
If you can't find it try useradd. You might also need to specify the path: /sbin/useradd + options.

thank you all for such quick and helpful responses!! much appreciated :-)

ahh ok, see my problem stems from having let the computer boot, then seeing the 'log in' box, then typing in 'root' as the username and entering the password exactly as i entered it in the installation.

After 32094809324234 attempts, I rebooted and held down ctrl+alt+F1 and got the grub CLI.

I'm at a stalemate, how can I create a user account to log into the GUI with if I can't get into the GUI to do so?

ps there is no terminal button/option/menu anywhere on the log in screen, just the universal access preferences, boot messages, time/date and shut down button.

When you are at the gui login screen, you should be able to press ctrl+alt+f1 to get to the command line login where you can log in as root.

ah thanks, i'm pressing and pressing and no luck.

is there a known error that prevents this from working? ctrl+alt+F1 (or any of the Function keys) does not work yet i know it worked because I made it go to the grub CLI before it booted....

Have you got any linux live CD?

nah i downloaded fedora 12 i386 dvd, burnt iso image to dvd and installed that way.

is there a particular live cd you recommend to use to test the system?

ok the problem appears to be that my computer is not loading the firstboot procedure, it goes directly from 'reboot' after install to the gui log in, no first boot settings available. it's in this firstboot that i'm able to create a new user, so of course the reason i'm having dramas is that it doesn't run.

have re-installed several times with same problem... what am i doing wrong?? :-(

Dear,
May I help you?
When you get gui login, then press ctrl+alt+F2. login as a root
then
then goto ctrl+alt+F1
Now you can get your user in that list.
Hope it will help you
All the best.