how do i change a root text document

[georanson]

i am setting up compiz and i need to change the xorg.conf but it will not allow me to open it even with root access

[oz]

You should be able to go to a console or terminal as a regular user, su to root, then use the following command to edit the file:

nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

If it doesn't work when using su try using su - instead.

Post the output of any error messages.

[MikeTbob]

How exactly are you trying to edit the file?
What command did you use?

[georanson]

Next problem.. im sory for all the newb qustions im kinda new to the comand prompt and compiz im also more into server setup than desktop

debian:/home/georanson# compize --replace
bash: compize: command not found
debian:/home/georanson# compiz --replace
X Error of failed request:  BadAlloc (insufficient resources for operation)
  Major opcode of failed request:  142 (GLX)
  Minor opcode of failed request:  3 (X_GLXCreateContext)
  Serial number of failed request:  16
  Current serial number in output stream:  17
/usr/bin/compiz.real: SmcOpenConnection failed: Authentication Rejected, reason : None of the authentication protocols specified are supported and host-based authentication failed
/usr/bin/compiz.real: No GLXFBConfig for default depth, this isn't going to work.
/usr/bin/compiz.real: Failed to manage screen: 0
/usr/bin/compiz.real: No manageable screens found on display :0.0
debian:/home/georanson#

[oz]

I'm a bit confused by what you posted above because that doesn't look at all like an error message that might result from running the command I posted for you that should allow you to edit the xorg.conf file:

nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

[georanson]

i ran the command u gave me to edit my xorg.conf for compiz and now compiz wont run even though i followed the how to correctly

[devils casper]

Which Graphics Card do you have and which tutorial are you following?
Execute this

su -
lspci | grep -i VGA
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf | grep -i driver

Post output here.

[daark.child]

Which Graphics Card do you have and which tutorial are you following?
Execute this

su -
lspci | grep -i VGA
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf | grep -i driver

Post output here.

You should be able to grep from a file without first using cat e.g.

grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf

georanson, you didn't mention which distro you are using, the graphics card on your system and how you installed compiz. These things are important in order for you to get good responses right from the start.

[devils casper]

You should be able to grep from a file without first using cat e.g.

 grep -i driver /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Thanx but does it make any difference. I have a habit of executing that command only.

[daark.child]

Thanx but does it make any difference. I have a habit of executing that command only.

There are obviously many ways of killing a cat. If you prefer using cat first even though there is no need for it, then its obviously your choice. I personally think its going about things in a round about way. Its similar to people who cat something and then use less when you could just use less on its own.