KDE 3.4.1 Login Manager won't enter admin mode

rgingels · 08-23-2005, 08:37 AM

Running Debian Sarge w/ KDE 3.4.1. I switched from default GDM to KDM, then decided to personalize the onscreen message at login via the Control Center/Login Manager/Appearance menu. However, after typing in the root password, it kicked me back to the Login Manager menu, still in user mode (and before anyone asks, no the capslock key was not on.) After multiple attempts, I decided that I am unable to enter Administrator mode for the Control Center.

So my question is:
1. Has this happened to anyone else, and how was it resolved?
2. Is there a way to bypass the Control Center and edit a text file? If yes, which one?

TIA,
-r-

powadha · 08-23-2005, 08:51 AM

By default you can't login to root using KDM. This is a safety and for good reasons. If you think you realy need root access in X then you have to edit a file.

What you have to do is login as normal user open a terminal and:

Code:

$ su
password
# nano /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc

Find the line:

Code:

AllowRootLogin=false

Change that line to:

Code:

AllowRootLogin=true

Save the file and after logout you can login as root.

Darn, I see I miss read your question, never mind my answer.....

Moloko · 08-23-2005, 08:58 AM

1. Yes, solution: went back to 3.3.2
2. edit /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc, change the GreetString

Moloko · 08-23-2005, 09:00 AM

powadha > running as root on the Desktop is incredibly Stupid. If all new Linux users start doing that we'll have virusses in no time to take over the pc's of all beginners...

rgingels · 08-23-2005, 09:01 AM

Slight misunderstanding here. I'm not trying to log into KDE as root. I'm logged in as a normal user and trying to enter administrator mode in the KDE control center, for which you have to enter the root password --same as if you run Synaptic.

That's a neat trick though; I'm writing that down for emergency use.

-r-

powadha · 08-23-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moloko
powadha > running as root on the Desktop is incredibly Stupid. If all new Linux users start doing that we'll have virusses in no time to take over the pc's of all beginners...

As I said it's not recommended, but not a secret either. Being able to login as root is something different to login as root all the time. Some tasks can be very well executed as root to speed up things if you prefer X to do certain root tasks and if you're not at home at the terminal. I prefer the terminal anyway.....

@rgingels: I saw too late I missunderstood your question.

makuyl · 08-23-2005, 09:27 AM

As user in konsole do: kdesu kcontrol

rgingels · 08-23-2005, 09:51 AM

Cool. Editing greetstring in kdmrc and su'ing kcontrol both work. Thanks powadha, makuyl, and moloko.
-r-

jmanjeff · 08-23-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rgingels
Slight misunderstanding here. I'm not trying to log into KDE as root. I'm logged in as a normal user and trying to enter administrator mode in the KDE control center, for which you have to enter the root password --same as if you run Synaptic.

That's a neat trick though; I'm writing that down for emergency use.

-r-

Yes a have the same problem have not had the time to try and fix

Brian1 · 08-23-2005, 09:28 PM

The way I fixed it was to go into the kmenu menu editor by right click on the start menu icon. Then went to the Control Center. I highlighted then in the tabs on the top I select Edit. In the Edit tab select copy. Now hit the Edit tab again and this time select Paste. Now you have 2 Control Centers. Rename the new one to say ' Control Center (Super User) '. With Control Center (Super User) highlighted, check the box Run as adiffernet user. In the box below enter root as the user. Save and exit.

Now when you select Control Center (Super User) you are actually editing root's Control Center so that is why you need to leave the orginal Control Center so as to make changes to your own user account. But for the ones that required Administrator Mode can only be done as root so that will not cause any problems with your own Settings.

Brian1

Matty-J · 10-04-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by powadha
By default you can't login to root using KDM. This is a safety and for good reasons. If you think you realy need root access in X then you have to edit a file.

What you have to do is login as normal user open a terminal and:

Code:

$ su password # nano /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc

Find the line:

Code:

AllowRootLogin=false

Change that line to:

Code:

AllowRootLogin=true

Save the file and after logout you can login as root.

Darn, I see I miss read your question, never mind my answer.....

Hi,

I'm trying to edit the kdmrc for other reasons, but I cant find it anywhere. There's no kdm folder in /etc/kde3.

I'm new to Debian, so I don't know where to look. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

mugstar · 10-05-2005, 03:37 AM

`updatedb` as root, then `locate kdmrc` should do it.

kellemes · 11-09-2005, 03:20 PM

Yes!! That worked, thanks!
It bothered me for some time...