Dead end? can't su to fix problem

Mesix · 01-22-2006, 09:46 AM

Whenever I attempt a breezy install on my computer, everything goes smoothly until it's ready to start x

Some things to consider:
My graphics card is a pci-e X800XL

I also performed a networkless installation because wifi is my only connection to the internet, a cat5e connection is no go.

So, here is the issue. I know I can go in to xorg.conf and change the driver from 'ati' to 'radeon' or even 'vesa', but I can't login to root. Whenever I 'sudo su' it says

james@avalon:~$ sudo su
sudo: unable to lookup avalon via gethostbyname()

And I'm then still logged in as james. I need ideas! It seems like there is nothing I can do.

Also, any thoughts on getting my wireless card to work during installation? It's something like a D-Link DWL-620 (Not exactly, but it's close) and uses the madwifi module from what I've read.

wrj · 01-22-2006, 10:02 AM

You're getting that message because avalon is not in /etc/hosts.
You need to have root level access to edit and add it to /etc/hosts. When I removed my hostname out of /etc/hosts just to see what happened, I got the same message when I tried sudo but it still asked me for a passord the first time. Either way I had root level access. At this point are you able to run any root level comands? After "sudo su" try editing /etc/hosts anyways.

Hope that helps

Mesix · 01-22-2006, 10:05 AM

No luck. It says permission denied. I had this same issue when I left the hostname as the default "ubuntu" as well

Reinstalling IS an option if there is a way to make it work, so let me know whatever ideas you have.

XavierP · 01-22-2006, 10:10 AM

Ubuntu does not use 'su' or the root account. If you need to do something which needs root access, do this:

Code:

sudo <whatever the command is>
<enter your password at the password prompt>
<do the stuff you need to do>

Mesix · 01-22-2006, 10:12 AM

sudo nano /etc/hosts

gives me the same "sudo: unable to lookup avalon via gethostbyname()" and nothing else happens.

Doing the same with vi yeilds the same results.

wrj · 01-22-2006, 10:51 AM

Just to follow up on XavierP's point. Ubuntu doesn't use root account by default, but to set it up just run "sudo passwd root". Then you can use root the classic way

desertViking · 01-22-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Just to follow up on XavierP's point. Ubuntu doesn't use root account by default, but to set it up just run "sudo passwd root". Then you can use root the classic way

WRJ, I agree, but I also have the same problem as Mesix. "sudo passwd root" nets sudo: unable to look up yada yada.

It does not prompt for password,or have any effect

I'm borked that the moment, and cannot sudo!

aysiu · 01-22-2006, 10:34 PM

Try booting into recovery mode.

morphodone · 01-22-2006, 10:37 PM

edit: aysiu beat me to it

you might try booting into the recovery mode kernel...

then fix your /etc/hosts and /etc/X11/xorg.conf from there

desertViking · 01-22-2006, 11:02 PM

Cool. Booted to safe mode, then set root password. I can at least "su" now.

I've never had to repare /etc/hosts before. Never worried about it. Seems like I should now. I assume that since my /etc/hostname is yadayada, the I have to add yadayada to the hosts file. This is a DHCP network.

Can you recommend the right syntax in /etc/hosts?

Thx for the advice.

Regards,

desertViking

desertViking · 01-22-2006, 11:06 PM

Got it. Changed localhost to yadayada, and its good. Thx.

morphodone · 01-23-2006, 12:06 AM

i've never worried about /etc/hosts either...

and i hope i don't have to