su - then password, returns authentication failure

buccaneere · 07-28-2009, 02:12 PM

I've done it this way for years. Something change here??? Ubuntu 8.04

Code:

chucknb@chucknb-desktop:~$ su -
Password: 
su: Authentication failure
chucknb@chucknb-desktop:~$

edit:
I went to :

Quote:

chucknb@chucknb-desktop:~$ exec sudo -s
[sudo] password for chucknb:
root@chucknb-desktop:~#

This worked. What happened to

Quote:

su -

???

GrapefruiTgirl · 07-28-2009, 02:16 PM

Hi there!

Far as I know, su hasn't changed much lately, but then, who knows??

In order for folks to help you though, you may wish to either edit your profile, or at least put in your post, what Linux you are using, and any other info you think may be relevant, such as whether or not PAM is being used, or SELinux, or whatever, as well as whether this is a new install, or an old install where su worked and now suddenly does not, etc..

Good luck!

Sasha

EDIT - Thanks, I see you added your distro to the thread.

custangro · 07-28-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buccaneere

I've done it this way for years. Something change here??? Ubuntu 8.04

Code:

chucknb@chucknb-desktop:~$ su -
Password: 
su: Authentication failure
chucknb@chucknb-desktop:~$

edit:
I went to :

This worked. What happened to ???

The root account is disabled...ergo you cannot log directly into root...the only way is to use sudo -s which is the same as doing a sudo /bin/bash

-C

tredegar · 07-28-2009, 02:53 PM

sudo -i works for me
YMMV
If you really want a password for root (and some people do) then sudo passwd root and choose one.
Don't forget it.

mq15 · 07-30-2009, 05:39 AM

sudo password root

Is this for changing the existing root password or what?

peeths003 · 07-30-2009, 06:40 AM

The things is root account is not enabled by default in Ubuntu. Go to users and Group and then activate the root account. Things will be Okay ....

Happy days to come 'su -'

Thanks
Peeths

PTrenholme · 07-30-2009, 08:14 AM

Being one of those people who like to use root in similar ways on most distributions, and one who thinks that the Ubuntu security model is somewhat silly, I always set a password for root. After that ...

Code:

peter@DV9700us:~$ su -
Password:
root@DV9700us:~# uname -a
Linux DV9700us 2.6.28-13-generic #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@DV9700us:~# exit
logout
peter@DV9700us:~$# Also, note that you can usually just do this (when root is not disabled).:
peter@DV9700us:~$ sudo su -
[sudo] password for peter:
root@DV9700us:~# exit
logout
peter@DV9700us:~$