editing menu.lst in puppy grub

tigertim71 · 07-15-2009, 05:20 PM

I've completely forgotton the command to edit /boot/grub/menu.lst in grub loaded in puppy.

Code:

edit

or

Code:

gedit

don't seem to work here.

pixellany · 07-15-2009, 05:37 PM

What text editors DO you have? look for nano, pico, gedit, kedit, kate, mousepad, and more. If something is only in the GUI menus, you can always call it from a terminal.

Keep in mind that you normally have to be running as root to edit that file.

pierre2 · 07-16-2009, 06:58 AM

I usually just right-click the file to edit.

tigertim71 · 07-16-2009, 08:48 PM

Thanks - as I'm root it's as simple as going into menu.lst, making the changes and then saving.

No need for a command line prompt.

pixellany · 07-16-2009, 11:12 PM

For the record, you are running **some** text editor when you do that.

I hope you're not running as root all the time---bad idea.

tigertim71 · 07-17-2009, 07:22 AM

I have changed

Quote:

passwd

from woofwoof to xxxxx. That's all I've done, but was not aware that there were different security options.

If there are it would be good to know...

pixellany · 07-17-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigertim71

I have changed from woofwoof to xxxxx. That's all I've done, but was not aware that there were different security options.

I don't know what you are saying here----changed password for who?

The issue I raised is that it was not advisable to run as root all the time, since root has the the ultimate power to change things---for good or for bad. It does not matter what the password is---If you are root, you can cause great damage by accident.

tigertim71 · 07-17-2009, 12:32 PM

From my understanding puppy is always in root, see http://www.puppylinux.org/?q=manuals.../security/root and there are no other options to change this.

However, puppy saved to HDD (which mine is) maybe less secure.

There's other information on the net about this, which I cant seem to find, but it concerns changing the default root passsword.

linus72 · 07-17-2009, 12:42 PM

Yes, be careful with puppy as root
I use puppy to delete stuff alot cause it works as root
just be careful what you do....doh!

davec51 · 07-18-2009, 09:55 AM

Yes, Puppy is set up to run in root, with all administrative permissions. Most people with Windows (that's most people) run all the time with administrative privileges.
You can damage your OS if you delete or change certain files. Don't change them. You wouldn't want a car that requires special permission to turn the steering wheel, because a lot of accidents are caused by turning the wheel at the wrong time.

vance.waylon · 07-18-2009, 06:32 PM

by deafault Puppy DOES run in root, but a lot of folks frown upon this. I enjoy the freedom of running in root, but then again Ive probably broken 100 puppies and counting!
The guest account is SPOT right?

linus72 · 07-18-2009, 06:35 PM

lol, most of the 8+ distro's on my usb run as root, including puppy

davec51 · 08-17-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

I don't know what you are saying here----changed password for who?

The issue I raised is that it was not advisable to run as root all the time, since root has the the ultimate power to change things---for good or for bad. It does not matter what the password is---If you are root, you can cause great damage by accident.

Having used various Linux distros for a couple of years, I'm always annoyed by the need to operate as root to get anything done. Yes, you can change, move files, and this can cause damage. So what? Most computer users operate as root all the time. Sometimes they inadvertently cause damage. The position of many Linuxes that users need a nanny is insulting and unproductive. All Puppy derivatives, by the way, run as root all the time.

repo · 08-17-2009, 06:01 PM

It is a bad idea to run as root. root is your system account and should only be used for system-wide maintenance.
Also root is at a much higher level than even Administrator is in Windows.
Remember that most exploits execute as the running user, so if you run as root you are opening up your system to the maximum possible damage.