Can't log into GUI with root

Oeli · 11-28-2003, 05:30 AM

Hi!

When running my GUI it doesn't allow me to log in as root. If I do so, the screen turns off, on again and I am back at the login screen.

If I log in as a user I don't have any problems. Also, su in a xterm works fine once I logged in.

Does anyone have an idea?

wapcaplet · 11-28-2003, 06:50 AM

There may be a configuration setting that blocks root from logging in using a GUI. Not sure where it might be... however, I'd suggest just doing your root work using 'su', rather than logging in with a GUI. Less dangerous that way

TheIrish · 11-28-2003, 07:58 AM

Quote:

There may be a configuration setting that blocks root from logging in using a GUI

in fact most login systems have Allow root Login (Yes/No).

Quote:

I'd suggest just doing your root work using 'su'

I agree. I imagine the for a real newbie (in the case you are), this can create a lot of problems. Using the gui itself you probably won't be able to change the AllowRoot stuff, so you should search for that in /etc/.
Let us know

Oeli · 11-28-2003, 08:01 AM

Hmm, okay. I will look for something there.
But don't I have to be logged in as root if I want to do multi-user installations? That was the only reason why I wanted to log in as root.

wapcaplet · 11-28-2003, 08:26 AM

You can still do everything you need to do with 'su'. Most of the useful things that root will need to run can be done from the command-line; if you need to use a graphical configuration tool, you can just 'su' and then run it from the command-line also, if you know its name.

Another tip - be sure to use this:

su -

(su space hyphen). That makes sure all your environment variables and PATH and stuff are set correctly when you become root.

Oeli · 11-28-2003, 09:10 AM

Ja, das stimmt. Aber für einen Newbie gestaltet sich das ein wenig schwieriger....denn der package Manager ist doch um einiges leichter zu bedienen. Naja, openoffice scheint aber eine ganz gute Installationsdocu zu haben, also lege ich mal los.