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Old 12-18-2004, 04:47 PM   #1
Ben136
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Registered: Dec 2004
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Question Cant install Open Office


Hi, I have Debian Linux kernel 2.4. It is set to use GNome at startup.

I want to install Open-Office.

According to:

http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/i...ons.html#linux

You have to be logged in as root to install it.

But GNome Desktop Manager does not let you log in as root.

So I pressed CtrlAlt-F1 and logged in as root and ran ./setup -net.
But is says "cannot connect to X Server".

So I log into Gnome and start a new terminal. Cant log in as root from here either. Tried to run the install again, and it starts, but then it tells me adminstrator rights are required.

Any thoughts on how I get Open Office installed? <g>

Should I start Linux without GNome (how again please?) and then type startx after loggin in as root? How? Even if used Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to try and kill GNome, the GNome login screen keeps coming back.

Also tried apt-get openoffice, but I dont think its in my release yet.

Only been using Linux for four days now. Any detailed help would be much appreciated! Thanks.
 
Old 12-18-2004, 05:08 PM   #2
Cerulean
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Registered: Dec 2004
Distribution: SuSE 9.1
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Log in as your normal user, cd to the directory and then run "su" and enter your root password. Then run the setup.
 
Old 12-18-2004, 05:22 PM   #3
Ben136
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Ahhh.... better. Thanks.

I found this way:

Disable gdm by running: update-rc.d -f xdm remove
Restart the system.
Log in as root.
Run startx to get into KDE. Run install.
Then hopefully turn it back on by running:
dpkg-reconfigure xdm

For a newbie I ma getting better at it.

But thanks for the "su". Will remember and use that again for sure.
 
Old 12-18-2004, 07:38 PM   #4
Sepero
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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
Distribution: Ubuntu
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Here's a hint that I think you'll really like.

1) Login per usual. (normal user)
2) Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to go to a terminal
3) Login as root
4) Type `startx -- :1`

You will be logged into a new x session with root. To switch back to your original session, Press Ctrl+Alt+F7. And back Ctrl+Alt+F8.


To set gnome as root's default environment, create the file /root/.xinitrc and put this in it:
gnome-session


Happy hacking!
 
Old 12-18-2004, 07:48 PM   #5
Sepero
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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
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Actually, I didn't really want to post what I just posted, because it's bad practice to login to x as root. I posted it anyways because I'm betting it'll make you real happy. (besides, you can use it with multiple regular users too)

Anyways, I know it can be a problem of running x programs as root with Debian. Here is the more proper way.

apt-get install sux
(SU for Xwindows)

This program will transfer your x environment to the new su shell. So then you type:
$ sux -
# xprogram_name

And it should run like a charm.
 
Old 12-18-2004, 09:00 PM   #6
acker
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Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Timisoara, Romania
Distribution: Debian
Posts: 90

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Don't tell him that!!

Ben: install aptitude(text) or synaptic(graphic). Enter aptitude and synaptic and install openoffice. Better use synaptic for a first time job, but afterwards use aptitude, because sometimes you won't have an graphical enviroment...
You do not have to enter with root into X to be able to install openoffice. Most of the programs will require for you to be root, but you don't have to be roor everywhere and anytime.
Get it?

Debian rulz )
 
Old 12-18-2004, 09:13 PM   #7
Sepero
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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
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Sorry, he said he tried apt-get, but then thought it wasn't in his release. I just figured he was probably using woody(stable). To install OO on unstable, the full package name ends with ".org", like this:

apt-get install openoffice.org

And yes, I definitely recommend aptitude. It is a beautiful(for text) program.
apt-get install aptitude


PS.
To do a package search, type:
apt-cache search <search_string> | less

Example:
apt-cache search aptitude | less
 
  


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