configuring kernel 2.6.10, need root?

timsch75 · 02-06-2005, 03:38 PM

I've recently configured my kernel for the first time and am having strange permissions issues now (audio cdrom, for example). When I was performing the typical steps for configuring and installing the kernel and modules, I occasionally used root when performing make "something" install, even though the instructions I was following never indicated that root user was needed. Is it necessary to be SU to configure and install a kernel?? I assumed so, but what do I know....

Thoreau · 02-06-2005, 03:41 PM

Yes, you typically need to be root to install any system-wide software- especially your kernel. If it's just for one user, then you install as a user- if the program allows it(most don't).

foo_bar_foo · 02-06-2005, 03:48 PM

i think the kernel now contains some hardware access filters that in particular block users from
initializing the cd drive.....

it's something they thought was a good idea ?????

who are we to judge.

i just installed sudo
and changed the menu entries to things like
sudo gnome-cd
sudo grip
sudo xcdroast

and like that

timsch75 · 02-06-2005, 03:49 PM

It is a single user system. I will try to install the kernel as user, then. It's tiring always having to chmod 777 /dev/cdrom every time I reboot and want to play a CD on xmms, etc.

Thoreau · 02-06-2005, 03:52 PM

that's why you normally have a group assigned to the cdrom in /dev/hdb or whichever. I have mine assigned to a "disk" group. And I am a member of that group as a user. I therefore have access.

chgrp disk /dev/hdb

timsch75 · 02-06-2005, 05:08 PM

I tried making sure I was in the group.

from /etc/group:
cdrom::19:tim:users
disk::6:root,adm

and

tim@sbc:~$ ls -l /dev/hdb
brwxrwxrwx 1 root cdrom 3, 64 2005-02-06 05:12 /dev/hdb

In typing this, I did notice my typo with the colon in the cdrom group. I'll replace that with a comma and see if it cures the problem. I didn't see an error message in dmesg.