Redhat 8 asks for root password before dialling

head8k · 02-21-2003, 02:10 PM

Hi, please be gentle as I'm VERY new to linux (2 days) and still trying to get to grips with it.

After a lot of trouble I have managed to install Redhat 8 and most things are working (besides printing but I'll deal with that later!)

My question concerns dialing my internet connection. I always get asked for the root password to do this which kind of defeats the point of having user accounts. I'm sure it is a simple thing to fix but I'd welcome some step by step instructions.

Thanks in advance

moosedaddy · 02-21-2003, 02:13 PM

What dialer are you using?

head8k · 02-21-2003, 02:29 PM

I go into 'System Settings' then 'Network'. It might be called Neat - does that make sense?

moosedaddy · 02-21-2003, 02:54 PM

If you were using kppp it is easy but you can try something similar. Determine the exact name of the dialer. Then look in /usr/bin and /usr/sbin and see if it is in both places. If it is you can try this:

open terminal

su
your password

rm /usr/bin/programname
chmod u+s /usr/sbin/programname
ln -s /usr/sbin/programname /usr/bin/programname

I hope this works! I am sitting in front of my RH8 box right now.

head8k · 02-21-2003, 03:27 PM

Hi there

Thanks for the help. I looked in both the places you said and 'neat' was in both so I did the steps you suggested which appeared to work (no error messages in the shell). The problem now is that 'Network' no longer does anything.

I am connected at the moment using kppp but I still get asked for the root password. I would try the above steps again but I don't want to be left without any dialer.

Any further suggestions?

head8k · 02-21-2003, 03:32 PM

Quick related question - how do I disconnect from kppp without picking up the phone? I can't see anything to click on to disconnect. I use KDE.

moosedaddy · 02-21-2003, 03:45 PM

I know those steps will work with kppp. As for getting network to work again, I don't know.

I am also fairly new, but the way I have learned is by searching threads and trial and error. I have had to relaod more than once.

sorry I am not more help.

moosedaddy · 02-21-2003, 03:46 PM

If you click on the icon in the taskbar it will give you an option to disconnect.

head8k · 02-21-2003, 03:49 PM

that's the problem, there is nothing in the taskbar to click on when I'm connected!

I will try the above steps for kppp and let you know what happens.

head8k · 02-21-2003, 04:52 PM

After a bit of tinkering and setting up kppp again I have it working when not logged in as root.

Thanks for your help