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-   -   how do I become root? (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/how-do-i-become-root-69179/)

DGath 06-30-2003 10:09 PM

how do I become root?
 
Finally got RH9 working yesterday and sorry, this might be a stupid question, but as a child of Microsoft, the whole concept of Linux is still confusing in terms of how it works. I'm trying to install the NTFS Project for RH9 and the website instructions tell me...

You must be root for the rest of the commands. The examples will continue as if you downloaded kernel-ntfs-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm. Next install the rpm:

rpm -ihv kernel-ntfs-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm

Preparing... ############################### [100%]
1:kernel-ntfs ############################### [100%]


What exactly is it telling me to do? I understand how to run the command in the terminal, but when I run it I get...

[derek@derek derek]$ rpm -ihv kernel-ntfs-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm
error: cannot get exclusive lock on /var/lib/rpm/Packages
error: cannot open Packages index using db3 - Operation not permitted (1)
error: cannot open Packages database in /var/lib/rpm
[derek@derek derek]$


The package is in my home dir, what do I do? I actually when and added myself (I'm the only user of this computer) to all the groups in the User/Group settings, thinking maybe if I'm part of the root group that it would work, but it didn't. Is being part of every group a bad thing, uneccesary?

Thanks

ksgill 06-30-2003 10:14 PM

type su in the command terminal and then your root password. After this you can go to your home directory (cd directory) and then your rpm command.

Tinkster 06-30-2003 10:16 PM

Basically all it takes is to
type

su -

and give it the root password ...

During install it will have prompted
you for a root-password before creating
any other users....

Cheers,
Tink

DGath 06-30-2003 10:23 PM

Haha, figured it would be something easy and stupid like that. Thanks.


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