Root access with GUI in Fedora Core 14

hewittrj · 03-08-2011, 09:20 PM

I need to access files in my FC14 but I need root access and I want to use the GUI interface, I'm still not use to the command line editors FC14 has and I like the pretty screens over the command line anyway. I know that in a terminal I type SU but form there I get lost.

RObert

comp_brad1136 · 03-08-2011, 09:31 PM

rather than handing you a loaded gun, how about you learn how to access your files?

you are right, open your console, and su to root.

next, cd to where your files are.

finally, type chown {your user name} file.name

as a side note, if ALL your files are in /home/otheruser/mp3 , you can instead do

chown {your user name} -R /home/otheruser/mp3

next, you need to move your files.

mv /home/otheruser/file.name ~
(the ~ it the tilde, it's the the left of the 1 on normal keyboards)

hewittrj · 03-08-2011, 09:50 PM

SO once I do this and copy the files I need to edit like for instance the samba.conf do I copy it back to the directory I got it from?

hewittrj · 03-08-2011, 10:05 PM

never mind I think I figured it out thanks

comp_brad1136 · 03-08-2011, 10:56 PM

glad to see you got it!
This used to be the way to do this in fedora, and it probably still holds true.

open your terminal
su to root
vim /etc/pam.d/gdm
put a # in front of " auth required pam_succeed_if.so user !=root quiet "

still don't like the idea if you using root all the time. I know, it's easier like that... but it's a hard habit to break.

John VV · 03-08-2011, 11:41 PM

you do not log in as root in fedora
fedora AND Gnome have removed that options , yes one can hack the system but then there will be unintended consequences .

also DO NOT i repeat DO NOT use the "chown" command on any system file or folder
you WILL KILL FEDORA !!!
KILL the install if you do that to the wrong file and the system might NEVER boot again!

if you need to edit a system file ( like /etc/fstab) use the "su -" command in the terminal
like this -- assuming Gnome is running

Code:

su -
(  your root password when asked for ) 
gedit

comp_brad1136 · 03-09-2011, 10:58 AM

allowing / disallowing root login via a dm is not a hack. It's an option. I remember seeing it way back in the late 90's when I was using Corel Linux.

chowning the wrong file making bad monsters eat the easter bunny???

just use any LiveCD and chown / chmod it back to where it's supposed to be. Of course it's a pain in the back side, but the best lessons in life hurts a little!

hewittrj · 03-09-2011, 11:56 AM

Well the only file I truely need to be editing are all related to the SAMBA program so I don't need to make edits of any other files that I can see at this time. But I still can get done what I need to get done

Robert

John VV · 03-09-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

allowing / disallowing root login via a dm is not a hack. It's an option

from experience with fedora if one dose then things like software updates and installs do not work , that is one of the
"unintended consequences"

"yum update" might not work in logged in as root into gnome