GUI dead

guanyu · 03-12-2002, 02:26 AM

Hi guys..need help!!!
My default boot is 3. When I typed startx or gnome-session or startkde. It end up with
Unable to lock ICE authority file: /root/.ICEauthority. Any idea!!!
I don't wan to reinstall my RH 7.2 again. thanks

aizkorri · 03-12-2002, 03:40 AM

Could it be that your monitor resolution/video card is not well configured?
Try to use xf86config, or whatever you have in RH to configure from the Konsole.

Aussie · 03-12-2002, 05:17 AM

Rename /root/.ICEauthority to something else and do startx again.

dorward · 03-12-2002, 07:06 AM

BTW - never run startx as root, use a normal user account.

If there is a bug or exploit in any application you run as root it can destroy your entire system, if you run as a normal user the worst it can do is to trash your home directory.

And its a lot easier to restore a home directory from backup then an entire system.

(If you want to run a graphical application (i.e. config utility) as root I suggest using the su command)

Stephanie · 03-12-2002, 01:52 PM

OK, if you go in as 'su', dont you have rights then to do damage to a base Linux ssytem?

I am wondering what the difference is between using root and 'su'.

Sixpax · 03-12-2002, 02:45 PM

Logging in as root and using "su" are virtually the same. There are some subtle differences. First of all, if people have to su to become root, you can track who was using it and when. Secondly, it gets you out of the "run everything as root" mindset.... only using su when necessary. Thirdly, if you restrict root logins to the console only, you can protect your system better since all su attempts are logged and someone cant just try to telnet and hack into your system as root.

dorward · 03-12-2002, 03:40 PM

If you su then you have all the permissions of root... but you are not running all the same applications as root.

For example, the window manager. If you log in as root then the window manager runs as root, if you log in as a normal user and then su, the window manager is running as you, but the application that you have to be root to run is running as root.

If there is a bug in the window manager that lets somebody trash files then it can't do any serious damage as it isn't running as root.

Keep the applications with the power of root to a minimum.

guanyu · 03-13-2002, 03:08 AM

Problem solved!
Thanks guy!
First of all,
/sbin/telinit 1
rm -rf /tmp
mkdir /tmp
chomod 1777 /tmp
rm /root/.XAuthority
/sbin/telinit 3
Done!!!