root account doesn't have access to graphics?

09-04-2009	#1 (permalink)
rma88 Just Joined! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	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: 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!

09-04-2009	#2 (permalink)
daark.child Trusted Penguin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Yorks, UK Posts: 4,067	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.

09-04-2009

#3 (permalink)

rma88

Just Joined!

Join Date: Dec 2007

Posts: 27

Quote:

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.

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

thanks!

09-05-2009	#4 (permalink)
daark.child Trusted Penguin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Yorks, UK Posts: 4,067	"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.

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