First install Ubuntu 14.04LTS password only works on startup passphrase super newbie
 

Trying to be clear, 2 day old user.
I can login by putting in start up pass phrase PW but after that the same password is invalid.
Had to disable screen lock password, if I log out and try to log back in the same pass phrase PW is invalid.
Wiped hard drive on install.
Also on start up system problem detected but to send in problem you need a password and my password after initial log in is invalid.
This is my first experience with Ubuntu, super newbie and know nothing about getting around in Linux.
Hope this makes sense to someone.

Unk

root and users
 

there is the potential that you are logging in as a user with your user password and then when further prompted for passwords you are failing with the same password because now it is asking for your root password..
post the output of this command here, it should tell you how you are logged in

if it says anything other than root i would suggest searching for a default root password for your distro, though your install should have added your user account to the sudoers file

re: first install Ubuntu 14.04LTS password...
 

Tried typing # whoami into the terminal and directly from the ubuntu desktop by typing in the dialog box that opens at the lower right.
I get no response.
Sorry, must be something I'm doing wrong.
It does boot up with a system program problem detected dialog box.
Also if I log out and back in it won't take my password, have to restart the computer and I can log in on the initial screen.

Unk

No, you need to type "whoami" (only what's between " "). The "#" sign is a prompt which indicates you're logged in as root. So giving the command whoami following the # prompt will return root
This is how it looks:
If you're logged in as a regular user then the prompt is "$". So in my case giving the command whoami following the $ prompt will return my username, jdkaye.
So give it another try but don't type in the "#".
jdk

OK, I do have the $ prompt.
whoami returns unk
With it reporting problems along with this issue maybe I should do a total re install.
Is there something I can copy to a thumb drive so it will boot to it and start over with a fresh install.
Sorry to be such a twit, if you need to know anything about broadcast video or astronomy, that's my knowledge base.
Thanks

Unk

It amazes me how you guys, "senior members" and whatnot confuse newcomers and make their life (myself included) unnecessarily difficult. What kind of IQ one needs to guess that a newbie who is posting his second post here would also copy your damn pound sign? I am already past this stage but had your extra typing aplenty two months ago.

possible reinstall
 

unktv
a full install is always an option with linux
i hate to suggest it because it can be a hassel,
but if you are worried that you errantly clicked a feature that is complicating your system,
or there is a potential for corrupt install media you can give a reinstall a try...

the more you do it the less intimidating it is


so your whoami is saying unk, meaning you are logged in as a user
linux has different permissions based on access granted to users
the root is the most powerful user, and to do a great deal of things you must utilise the root user
this protects your system from programs changing your system without your knowing and unwanted guests assuming control of your sytem

you can read up on the whys and wherefores:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

the screen lock looks like a permissions issue:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/12878...word-incorrect

is this password issue affecting your use of your system in other ways?

...
AlexBB
i've made the same mistake as unktv, and ive made the same mistake you are making now by accusing jdkaye of trying to confuse someone,
by attempting to help someone new to the community you are encouraging that person,
i hope unktv figures this out and learns to love linux and gives back to the community when thae knows what's up and and someone new has a problem thae've dealt with,
derriding jdkaye's 'senior member' status is laughable... that is just a title associated with someone who contributes a great deal to this community, i am sure jdkaye has as much control over that being displayed as my account saying 'member'...
look at jdkaye's post history: 4,122; that means jdkaye has voluntarily either helped or attempted to help people more than four thousand times, that is commendable, hardly deserving of derision
i, and jdkaye, are just trying to help unktv solve his problem?
i felt jdkaye clearly and elegantly explained the lack of information in my post to unktv
sometimes clarification is necessary,
that is a symptom of communication,
i hardly see how it would "confuse newcomers and make their life (myself included) unnecessarily difficult"
if you have a clear solution that is simple to unktv's issue i'd like to hear it

astro distro
 

are you looking to use linux to aide your knowledge base of broadcast video andor astronomy?

i'm sure the use cases are vast for both subjects


i remember reading about this a while ago when i was putting together a script to track overhead stars based on my location...
http://www.distroastro.org/

you might find it interesting or useful

Are you, per chance referring to me? I was under the impression that I clarified things for the OP with the result that he was able to successfully use the command in question. You might want to get your facts right before going on your rant. And don't try to teach your grandfather how to suck eggs. ;)
jdk
P.S. thanks cin for your kind words. It's all part of the wonderful world of Linux.

Thanks for all the input.
As for other issues after booting it reports errors I have no permission to submit and also cant add other software.
I thought I had written the other password correctly, either I did not or that area is part of the system errors.
There is nothing on this system yet is why I thought a re install would work,is there something I can copy to a thumb drive to automate a reinstall.
And thanks cin, the astronomy software looks like what I've been hunting for.
Been looking fro something that can stack full res DSLR images, 100+ images
This is a single shot of the sun in H-alpha, 100 stacked would bring out much more detail https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater
I would need to install Linux on my existing Windows 7 machine, Is this possible.
Looks like I'll be jumping into the deep end.
Thanks all.

Unk

pendrive
 

this distro astro is its own linux distribution, like ubuntu

from the astrodistro download page:
http://www.distroastro.org/download/

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/

As to permissions Ubuntu uses sudo instead of root, so to install a package as a user such as you would use <package> being replaced by the name of package to be installed. As far as login problem make sure that yiu don't have Cap Lock on

Sorry, the last info is too vague for this newbie to understand
I input the sudo apt line above and it wants the password for unk which does not appear to be my initial login
Tried other names in the package position but it wants unk's password.

If sudo is working correctly then when it prompts you for a password it wants your user (i.e. unk's) password
Here's an example. I want to run the command "blahblah" with root privileges.
As you can see I'm running the command as jdkaye (note the $ prompt) and then sudo prompts me for jdkaye's (my) password.
So in your example you should enter unk's password.
Hope that's clear
jdk

My problem is that the initial password that lets me start Ubuntu is not unk's password or it is corrupted.
Everything I try as the password fails.
That's why I thought a wipe & re install would be a way out.
Sorry for pain in the rear.

Unk