root account doesn't have access to graphics?

[rma88]

hey everyone, every time i use the root account to try and run some program it complains that it can't open the display :

mdtop:/usr/local/sbin# wireshark

(wireshark:17681): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: 
mdtop:/usr/local/sbin# ettercap -G

GTK+ failed to initialize. Is X running?

mdtop:/usr/local/sbin# ghex2

(ghex2:17698): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: 

mdtop:/usr/local/sbin# guarddog
guarddog: cannot connect to X server

But if I run them as my non root user, they work just fine...
I'm not quite sure what to do.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[daark.child]

You can either just switch to root using "su" instead of "su -" and then run the graphical app. Another option is to run "xhost +localhost" as the user logged into X, switch to root using "su -" or su and then run the GUI app.

[rma88]

You can either just switch to root using "su" instead of "su -" and then run the graphical app. Another option is to run "xhost +localhost" as the user logged into X, switch to root using "su -" or su and then run the GUI app.

oh, sweet, thanks so much. much appreciated.
so im interested, whats the difference between 'su -' and 'su root'?

thanks!

[daark.child]

"su" will switch you to a new user you do not inherit their environmental variables (you keep using those of the user you are logged in as). If you use "su -" it switches you to the user and you inherit their environmental variables such as PATH etc.