root account doesn't have access to graphics?

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

Code:

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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

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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!

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

thanks!

"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.