On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 6:09 PM, Douglas A. Tutty <dtu...@vianet.ca> wrote:
> > i too was disappointed. i tried su and authentication failed. how do i > > update my system without being able to log in as root? > > > > now i don't mind a spirited discussion on the pros and cons of sudo vs. > su, > > but my original question still has not been answered; and with this new > > development i am really at a loss. > > > > you are saying that sudo and su are not available from a user console, > then > > how do i fix this so i can become root when i need to? > > > Root login from a secure serial console has been described as the > ultimate command line of last resort. I always have a serial console > set up in inittab (and in grub too for that matter). I guess if you > can't log in as root (or otherwise get root), you'll need to boot a live > CD such as grml and fix whatever is preventing you from getting root. > > A last resort would be: > > 1. physically disconnect the box from the network. > 2. boot a live CD > 3. edit the password file to allow root login without a password > 4. reboot into the system and log in as root > 5. passwd as root and give yourself a root password. > 6. shutdown > 7. reconnect the box to the network. > 8. carry on as normal. > > > If you want to use sudo for most things, but have root login available, > put the root password in a card in an envelope in a locked location. > You'll know if someone needed the root password by the tear in the > envelope. Unless it was removed, the root login should be recorded in > syslog as well. > > thanks for the reply. i would definitely need more detailed information for your solution, but i think i have solved the problem. i have played around with other linux distros before with the same result as i am experiencing now, but (now for the solution) none of them had a root terminal like debian has, or i didn't see one. i could update, although there didn't appear to be updates available, from this terminal. what a terrific idea. and my root password worked on the login to the root terminal. please don't tell me that using the root terminal is not prescribed, but tell me if you must. finding the root terminal has made my life with debian much less stressful. i probably will not be using it very much, except for updates to the system, but it's nice to know that it works. cheers, dwain -- "Fear of the devil is one way of doubting God. " - Kahlil Gibran
