This is pretty basic but I've got a couple of downloaded files sitting on my desktop that I can't move because it's a regular desktop, and I'm not logged in as root. One item is a .ppd file that I want to put in a root level folder but when I try to move it there, I get a message that I don't have privileges to do so.
The second item is a folder from a self-extracting file that I started opening in a root console. When I left the root console, the folder was left on my regular desktop with a lock symbol on it -- again, I don't have privileges to move it.
I'm using Mandriva 2007 but I remember in older versions, you could log in as root (when starting a mandriva session) and navigate where you needed to do whatever. In the version I have when I try to log in as root I get a message saying "no root logins."
When I'm logged in as a regular user, if I'm doing some process -- such as adding a peripheral, upgrading a driver, etc... -- and Mandriva requires root privileges, it opens a dialog box asking for root's name and password and I insert them and then get to finish the process.
However, trying to move restricted folders or regular folders to a restricted area just gets me a warning that I don't have privileges with no place to insert the root name and password and continue what I'm doing.
Does anyone know how to deal with this -- forgive me if the answer is really simple.
Thanks.

Open a terminal, get root privileges with "su" (or "su -") and then just use mv to move files, or cp to copy them.

Open a terminal, type "su" to assume root powers, and move the files from there. (Or just change the permissions.)

You can also run any of the GUI applications as root by simply starting them from the terminal (after the "su"). Running any GUI as root, however, is a really bad idea.

Microsoft insulates you from the command-line (terminal), but Linux encourages and rewards you for using it. Once you learn the basics, many things are easier and faster.

Alternativly Alt & f2 type kdesu <app name>. Saves using the terminal to start apps with root privileges.

I recommend trying not to use "su" (nowadays stands for 'switch user'). Use sudo and it's graphical "front-ends" like gksudo (or kdesu, if it is what I think it is) to execute commands with root privileges, and try to keep the configuration file sane. sudo should be used rather than su, because that way you can (should) configure what can be run as root (try to keep the amount as minimal as possible), and you don't have to use root password. You can even freeze root account, thus filling one potential security "hole".

In the graphical desktop you can just alt+f2 (or whatever shortcut brings the "Run" dialog up) and issue the graphical sudo command along with whatever you want to run. No need to type root password nor make root logins. And no need to use command line if you don't want to (I recommend learning it, but it's not a must if you dislike it).

sudo can be just as dangerous as using su all the time, or plain root login, but like everything else, it's up to you. With some thinking it's far more secure than typing in root password every now and then.

When I open a terminal to do stuff requiring root powers, I normally enter many commands. "su" once saves typing in the long run.

Again, running any GUI app using sudo or its cousins is a very bad idea. (But I still do it on occasion...)

YMMV

There is a root session for konqueror (fileManager), and you can access it from user with the menu along the top.

You need to login, as usual.

Then navigate to your home folder, and find .desktop.

you may move them or rename and change ownership from there.

Konsole also has a root session.(opens a new tab.)

I Can't say exactly where the address is because I broke my linux install last night.

regards, Glenn

Oh Yeah! Happy New YEAR!