how to erase files owned by root?

maiden2 · 12-22-2007, 01:45 PM

I need to cancel and paste in the apache directory some new files but I can't do that cos'I'm not the root user.

please how can i do to acquire the root privileges to do what i need?

I tried typing in the terminal: "su root" but when i come back to my system diretory...i had not the root privileges to modify (deleting and paste some files into)

any suggestion?

the_imax · 12-22-2007, 01:52 PM

after doing su root you need to perform all the actions of copy/paste from the commands line in the same terminal ?

maiden2 · 12-22-2007, 01:54 PM

sorry but....

how to delete a file from the command line?

how to copy and paste from the comman line?

by the way, is it possible that it's impossible to work in graphical way like in windows?

Uncle_Theodore · 12-22-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maiden2

sorry but....

how to delete a file from the command line?

rm filename

Quote:

how to copy and paste from the comman line?

highlight the filename with your right mouse button pressed. Paste by pressing the middle mouse button.

Quote:

by the way, is it possible that it's impossible to work in graphical way like in windows?

It is possible, but it's highly insecure and so not recommended.
You can use the Midnight Commander file manager from the root terminal, if it's installed. Just type mc in the command line.

Or, if you really want to, you can launch your favorite file manager from the root terminal. Just type its name there after su'ing to root.

What distro do you use?

the_imax · 12-22-2007, 02:03 PM

after the system boots you can login directly via the root account (not recommended) if you want to modify the files owned by root from a graphical environment, otherwise you can use the terminal to perform the required tasks

cp command is used for copying files

cp /oldlocation /newlocation

mv command is used for moving and renaming

mv /old/file1 /new/file1

read their man page for more options

maiden2 · 12-22-2007, 03:48 PM

Many thanks to everybody for the useful suggestions!

chrism01 · 12-22-2007, 08:44 PM

I suggest you bookmark & use these:
http://tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm