Gaining root access in Gnome

jonasan · 01-31-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi

I am running SuSE 10 and was trying to move a file from /home to /opt but Linux would not let me ... rightly so, but how can I get root access to do this?

pixellany · 01-31-2006, 08:36 AM

in a terminal, type "su" and then the root password at the prompt. Then use "mv" to move the file.

To do it in the GUI (eg Gnome), you need to log out, then log in as root. Now you can do drag and drop with the mouse.
Danger--leaving your computer in GUI mode as root is inviting disaster.

Better to do "root stuff" in a terminal, and then close the terminal or su back to your own name when you are done.

pokemaster · 01-31-2006, 09:27 AM

mmm... bad idea to log in as root to the gui... too much can go wrong

instead, try Alt+F2, then type

Code:

gksu nautilus

It'll gray your screen, prompt you for the root password, then run nautilus as root. Make sure to close the window as soon as you're done so you can't make any mistakes

reddazz · 01-31-2006, 09:27 AM

I think its better to learn to administer you system from a terminal whilst logged in as a normal user. If you are used to doing stuff from the GUI and it fails, then you are stuck. Also login into X as root can leave your system more vulnerable if any apps you are running have serious security issues.

pixellany · 01-31-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokemaster

mmm... bad idea to log in as root to the gui... too much can go wrong

I agree--I included it for completeness.

Another thing I should have included: From a terminal, you can run any of the GUI utilities by typing "sudo <utilityname>"---e.g.: sudo nautilus

jonasan · 01-31-2006, 11:11 AM

cheers for the advice.