Password Issue

[tinkertech]

Got a PC running Linux REDHAT 9.0. My first time using this OS. As I explore the different areas of this program I keep coming acrosss a password request prompt. Example: "You are attempting to run "gdmsetup" which requires administrative privileges, but more information is needed to do so". Just below it a prompt line appears "Password to Root" and a blinking cursor. I am the only person using this PC I had to log on to get Redhat started and when I use the same password, I am denied access. If I click ok, I'm send right back to this screen, if I press cancel, I get "unknown exit code". Any idea what I am not doing?

If at first you don't succeed, reboot!

 

[zeland]

As a normal user, you will be prompted to enter your root(administrator) password whenever you launch a prog that requires admin rights. Just type in your root password at the prompt. This is to stop normal users from messing-up the system.


--== Anything can go wrong. It's just a matter of how far wrong it will go till people think its right. ==--

 

[thedaver]

To expand on that, there are TWO users installed on your system. One user is your username, the other user is 'root'.

When you login as 'tinkertech', you're just a user - unprivileged to perform administrative-level tasks - as zeland noted.

The password prompt is allowing you temporary escalation to the 'root' user level privileges to accomplish an administrative task.

The alternative for your situation is to login as 'root' from the beginning of your session, but it's generally frowned upon as sloppy security practice.

So those prompts are letting you know that a normal user is trying to do something beyond their scope.

D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[tinkertech]

Thanks for the clarification, however, how do I know what the root password is when I never gave it one? I tried loging in as root and using my user password but it didn't take. Is there a default root password to Linux?

If at first you don't succeed, reboot!

 

[thedaver]

Is there a default root password to Linux?

No, that's a good thing [TM]!

If you don't know the root password, then nobody knows it now. Without cracking it it's gone.

Most all linux have a "local" mode available at the boot prompt (NOT the graphical login) which allows you to open a local-only user terminal into linux as the root user with NO PASSWORD.

You should reboot into local mode and set the password for root using

"passwd root"

Otherwise you'll continue to be frustrated.

DO NOT make this password the same as your regular user password, or else TUX will come thump you on the nose. ;-)

D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[tinkertech]

Thanks for the tip. After reading other sites on this issue, I've decided to do a fresh install of Linux, which I am doing now, and this time pay close attention to what I do including writing down passwords and other important info. I took me over 6 hours to install the first time. Does it take that long to install or did I missed something?

If at first you don't succeed, reboot!

 

[thedaver]

Well, uh, I just gave you a 5 minute solution, so re-installing is entirely your perrogative (insert Bobby Brown riff here).

The installation is influenced by the following factors:
- Speed/scale of hardware being used
- Breadth of applications being installed (GUI, fonts, etc)
- Depth of drive format (quick, deep)

I think 6 hours is rather long, but your mileage may vary.

D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[tinkertech]

Done. I did a fresh install, noted the root name and password as well as the username and its password; I can come and go any where in the system with out a proble. Thanks all for the assistance. Sorry thedaver, I started the install after your tip came in. I helps to have about six computers at your disposal to do and undo as you please. NVidia's SLI configuration on RedHat will be my next challage.

If at first you don't succeed, reboot!