I run Mandrake Linux v8.2 and I was curious as to how to log in as root by default; or if it's possible to grant a user all of the root users permissions?

Don't even think about.
Next what you should be doing is logging in with your user
accound and su - root

If you want a set of root prevs use sudo
man sudo
man visudo
man sudoers

You can login in as root from the main login prompt.

Its usually best to learn and only use your system as a regular user, then when you need root privileges, then login as root or setup sudo as pickled suggested. Your much better off that way instead of running root all the time you can make a goofup on your system and open for vulnerabilities.

Well I don't run this system on the internet and I am willing to risk the goof ups. I usually do a lot of reaearch before I do anything and I havn't messed up yet. There are seemingly a lot of things that I am accustomed to doing in Windows that I can't do in Linux without being root. It drives me nuts and I'd just assume not even use Linux it I can't completely taylor it around my needs like I can with Windows. I am not conserned about goof ups and my computer is not norad so I am not paraniod about security.

Is there a way to log in as root by default?

By the way, thanks for the help so far.

EDIT:

What is su-root anyway?

Try this:
login in as your self:
$ su - root

and see what happens

or better yet
man su

One more time at the login prompt

Login : root
Password: *******


So are you just lazy or what

I don't have a log in for some reason. It just loggs me in as the default user I set up and not as root. I want to be able to turn on my computer run upstairs and get a pop out of the fridge while it's booting and by the time I get back down it's sitting on the gnome desktop with FULL permissions and NO stupid passwords.

Im not lazy; I just find it rather stupid that this can't be done easily in Linux. For instance when you install Windows it gives you the option to assume that the default user is the sys admin and you don't need a password.

I hate passwords and security that makes the session at my box more complicated needlessly.


Back to the Problem:

So I don't have a log on at startup, it just goes right to the desktop without asking me for a password. But it is the default user and not root. I want to have complete control over everything (logging in as root at startup with no password) upon boot up. I don't want to have to boot and log out and then log back in and everytime I use linux. I just want to log in with no password as root by default.

Can this be done???

As it was stated it is not safe to do so, but if you want to what the heck, go ahead just don't blame us if the next thing you know you can't boot into linux
GNOME start menu -> Programs -> System -> GDM configurator choose expert check the box against allow root login using GDM, then on the left pane go to basic and the last tab should be automatic login, check the boxes and fill in the blanks.

neo77777, What can we say, you try to rear them right ....

Nope I am just answering a question, the thing is with root logins you must be confident or ass crazy to do things as root wide open, I had an acquaintance like this, he loved windows before I showed him my desktop and he was like "wow, that's cool how do you do it in windows?" "windows?", I said, "no it is not" then he got pissed off cause he believed there were no alternatives and he was fool proofing it, man you should've heard his ranting about it. So now he uses linux , I offered my help during install it was refused, and a week later he came over telling me that I am stupid and my linux (he prononced it lienooks) is as crapy as I am, so I asked him to reason and he said it was f... up very badly. I came over his place and I asked him to login, my hair almost became gray when I saw in KDM
login: root
password: ******** (his name by the way, I learned it later)
with cable connection always on !!!
So I tried to explain what is wrong with such a deliberate act, he didn't even listen to me and kept cursing at linux and Linus' mother. So, after that I just said you know here is windows Me, my own copy, have it and enjoy. He got pissed and I have never offered my help since. The last time I saw him he claimed he figured out lienooks thing and he is a pro now - I just can imagine.

Great story
[WOT] = Way off topic
My mother gave a favorite recipe to a friend.
When she asked the freind a while later if she liked the recipe , the friend replyed that it was terrible

My mom, say did you remember to put the crushed pineapple in .... NO I don't like pinapple I used ..... instead
Well my mom comes to find out she ad pretty much rewriten then entire recipe and then had the gull to complain about it not tasting good

Nice stories guys. I am trying to approach this with a level head.
Though it's difficult for a Windows Lover (me) to migrate to linux. Thanks for the help.

Well you two are way off topic maybe you could jump back on it again and explain to me why You wouldn't do this. All the critical reasons.

:^)

I'll give you my reasons:

1. Unsecure
2. If you accidently delete something or it goes wrong, like you do something like this: rm -rf / somefile ( can you tell me what happens if you run that command as root ? )
There goes your whole system, reinstall time... !!
3. Very insecure
4. I know of one person that installed Mandrake, the same day as he didn't have a auto login but logged in directly as root, he left his machine and came back, it was already trashed by a intruder.. Reinstall time.. !!
5. Basically very insecure and not necessary.
6. Other ways around it instead of being root.
7. Basically just stupid idea to be root with a auto login.. its like leaving the key to your house in the keyhole, available for anyone to unlock the door for access.

Ok, my reasonings. There are just so many reasons not to have a autologin and especially as root. If you want a auto login, at least just make it so its a regular user, then when you actually need to be root, take the 2 seconds it takes and su as root, or setup sudo... I can perform about anything I want without actually being root..

Hi!

Well, I agree with all the other posters. Doing normal things as root is *STUPID*.

I'd also suggest reading this,, some tips for newbies to secure their linux boxen. http://www.desktop-linux.net/security.htm

Good Luck!!
RefriedBean

I'm out of here

What things? Do you need to constantly install and remove programs or change the system settings? If you don't, chances are that you'll be able to do your things as a normal user as well.