yup, seems you don't have a root user. I thought that maybe just the name or the group was changed. There were 3 more lines in the file (if you press down), but I doubt there was anything useful there.

Try what chort said, and if it doesn't work, I have no idea other than reinstall (or maybe booting into... what was that runlevel... if I remember it and sudo doesn't work, I'll post it)

BTW, wasn't it supposed to be /bin/bash ?

/bin/sh is the default root shell on most UNIX-like systems for compatibility sake. Often it's linked to /bin/bash on Linux OSs.

Why not boot a Live CD? You could then verify the integrity of the installed SW, check the logs and add the lines to passwd and shadow?

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It looks like I don't have sudo setup.
It now reads this:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ruxban@linux:~> sudo useradd -d /root -g 0 -u 0 -s /bin/sh root
sudo: no passwd entry for root!
ruxban@linux:~> sudo passwd root
sudo: no passwd entry for root!
ruxban@linux:~>
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It appears that I'm screwed. What should my next plan of action be? Go buy Windows XP? Re-install Linux? Write letters from now on?

What does this mean though?:
-----------------------------
ruxban@linux:~> /bin/sh
sh-3.00$
-----------------------------

Heh, sudo doesn't work if root isn't defined. I suppose that makes sense.

Time to use unSpawn's idea. Boot from a liveCD, then mount your existing partitions on the hard disk drive and edit the password file to put root back in there.

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Well It took a little time, and alot of curse words, but I was finally able to regain control of my computer. I ended up formating my C:/ using a windows 98 start-up disk I forgot I had. After that, I simply installed Linux. 5 start up disks later, I had "god mode" again. Thank you to everyone for their ideas and help. Sorry it wasn't an easier fix. My advise is to stear clear of Linux plug-ins unless you absolutely need them (if your running SuSE 9.0). But maybe, thats just my luck.

Question- What is Sudo, what are its advantages, and how do I install it?

--Ted Ritter

sudo just runs a program as root (or another user, with specfic parameters). You have it installed by default, it didn't work because you didn't have a root account.

Try typing "man sudo".

Guys here are warmhearted , i'm feeling .

Use linux installation disk1 , boot PC from CD-ROM ,when you see :

linux:

type " linux rescue " and press return . now ,linux is running in rescue mode , follow the prompt , it'll bring you to single user mode , it's a shell mode without password ,in whitch , you can VI /etc/shadow , delete md5 encrypted password , and then , set password again.

never heared about similar issue before !
dude !! what did u try at yr box recently ??


just as a thought ..did u try booting rescue mode ? it gives u a root shell ..