Debian 3 root login problems
 

Here’s a problem that numerous people installing Debian 3 must surely puzzle over. I am installing Debian Woody 3.0 R2 on a home computer not connected to any network. During the install, I am asked for a root password but not a root username, and I am also asked for a normal username and password so I can log on as a normal user (as opposed to a root user). Once Debian is installed, at the login prompt I am asked for both a username and a password. Fine for logging on as a normal user but how do I log on as a root user when I don’t have a root username? Or is this not the way to log in as a root user? I need to solve this problem because there are many things I need to do as root user eg load more packages and change settings. I have read in other threads that on another linux distribution one can use either root or su as the username - does this work for Debian 3? Any suggestions?

umm...to logon as root...type in under username "root" then the root pass you set up....

yes, the username for the root user is "root"

"su" is the "Switch User" command. Once you have logged in as a regular user you can type "su" or "su -" to change to root. (The - version loads all the proper settings and restarts you in root's home directory) You can also use "su user" or "su - user" to switch to that user.

Debian 3 root login problems
 

Thanks Qzukk and Goldeneyexs - you've solved my problem!