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-   -   how do i activate root? (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/how-do-i-activate-root-749634/)

constancebwn 08-22-2009 11:22 PM
how do i activate root?
 
I was told to login using my root, but from where i am at i can't open gedit and allow my root to be used. if that makes any since.

jstephens84 08-22-2009 11:30 PM
What distro are you using? and what are you trying to use root for? If you are trying from say xterm or anyother terminal it would be
Code:
su -
then put in roots password.

If you are using Ubuntu then you would just use sudo instead.

constancebwn 08-22-2009 11:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstephens84 (Post 3654175)
What distro are you using? and what are you trying to use root for? If you are trying from say xterm or anyother terminal it would be
Code:
su -
then put in roots password.

If you are using Ubuntu then you would just use sudo instead.

something went wrong with my login, saying that my seccion lasted only 10 secounds and that something was installed wrong. but it won't let me log into my name, or my root? what do i need to do about fixing this without loosing everything on my computer by re-installing ubuntu?

rm -rf * 08-22-2009 11:43 PM
You would want to switch to a virtual terminal and fix it from the command line, ctrl+alt F2 to get to a terminal, log in fix whatever error occured, then reboot, or restart xorg.

constancebwn 08-22-2009 11:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rm -rf * (Post 3654185)
You would want to switch to a virtual terminal and fix it from the command line, ctrl+alt F2 to get to a terminal, log in fix whatever error occured, then reboot, or restart xorg.
how do i know what error to correct? or where to even start... ugg.... i wish i hadn't even tried to update the stupid thing, this never would have happened.

paulsm4 08-22-2009 11:49 PM
It isn't clear exactly what the problem is, or what you need to do about it. Please do the following:
Quote:
1. Log in to a text session:
Hold down the <Ctl-Alt-F2> keys. This should give you a text-mode login.

2. Log in as your normal username (*not* root).

3. Try typing "su - root". See if this works.
If not, please:

4. Write down the exact error message, and try typing: "sudo".
If this doesn't work either, please write down the exact error message.

5. Try to remember the exact error message you were getting in the first place.

6. Post back here to LQ

rm -rf * 08-22-2009 11:50 PM
I'd assume since gnome is crashing
Code:
cat /var/logs/Xorg.0.log |grep EE

constancebwn 08-22-2009 11:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsm4 (Post 3654190)
It isn't clear exactly what the problem is, or what you need to do about it. Please do the following:

okay this is what the error message says when i boot up the computer. it comes up to my login screen an says
" your session only lasted more then 10 secounds. if you have not logged out, this could mean that there is some installation pronblem or that you may be out of diskspace. try logging in with one of the failsafe scessions to see it you can fix this problem"

rm -rf * 08-23-2009 12:01 AM
Well to eliminate one possibility you can log in via a virtual terminal right? If so
Code:
df -Th
To check disk space. Then I would look through the xorg log to check for errors.

paulsm4 08-23-2009 01:04 AM
Ah - things are becoming a bit clearer.

Your *Linux* is probably OK ... but there seems to be something wrong with X Windows and/or your desktop.

Possibly permissions, possibly configuration.

Please look here:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...nds...-386010/

Please post back your exact version of Ubuntu, and any other details. For example:

Quote:
df -Th
<= Are any filesystems nearing 100% full (probably not)
Quote:
cat /var/logs/Xorg.0.log |grep EE|less
<= What are the first few errors X Windows is giving you (if any)?
Quote:
chmod 1777 /tmp
<= Do this as "root" from your terminal session, and try restarting Ubuntu again

WillingToLikeLinux 08-23-2009 01:28 AM
Here's something curious to think about: how do you log off from the terminal after puting su - and your password?

chrism01 08-23-2009 08:06 PM
The logout cmd is

exit


too easy :)

windtalker10 08-23-2009 10:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillingToLikeLinux (Post 3654246)
Here's something curious to think about: how do you log off from the terminal after puting su - and your password?
1.] exit - as was already stated

or

2.] reboot [if you're root]

or

3.] halt [if you're root]


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