I recently installed linux redhat 8.0 on my computer.when i start up linux it asks for a username and password. Its funny that i wasnt asked to choose a username and pass during the installation process.Only password it asked me to make was a root password.What can i do so that i can run redhat since i have no name or pass?I hope i dont have to reinstall. I am a linux dummy so please explain in easy to understand terms.thanks.

Log in as root and use the command "adduser" at a terminal to add a normal user. It's an interactive command so it's pretty easy to get through. Read the man page a little as you may have to futz with specifying a default shell for the new user and a few other settings. Also last time I installed RH 8.0 I was prompted for adding a normal user. Perhaps you skipped over it somewhere by mistake or did not see that section?

How do i login as root to do this when the username and pass wont let me log in?

You did say that you entered a root password during the install? Simply type in "root" in the login section, and the root password you selected during the install for the password. If it is a graphical login screen and will not allow you to login as root, (possibly for security reasons?), then hit CTRL+ALT+F1 to bring up a terminal login. From there you can login as root and add a user.

Thanks a lot. im going to reboot into linux and give it a try.

hi

type root as username and type the password you entered during setup. go to system settings -> user and groups and add a new user in your name or whatever. use it for your general tasks. if its some administrative task like installing new stuff or changing system settings the commands usually ask for the root password. if its a command line program you can login as root by typing su or press control alt and F1 to login as root and control alt F7 or Alt+F7 to return back to the graphical interface.


dont run the system as root user. you might have security problems or do something bad without realising it

regards
rahul

thanks alot for the info everyone. Your suggestions were a big help. I am unable to get on the internet because redhat didnt recognize my ethernet card and i have no clue how to fix it. I unninstalled redhat and went back to xandros,seems a lot easier to me.thanks again folks.