really trying to like Linux - honest

[Lurkio77]

Hi all
I'm a linux noob and have tried 4-5 distros (ubuntu fedora mandriva and currently kubuntu) but I keep running up against the same problems - ie grayed out buttons Grrr!
I have read up on why there is no root login - fair enough - but I need to be able to do some configuring !

I feel like I am missing out on some small but vital info
I have tried the kdesu sudo type commands but without any success (they always fail)

could someone please walk me through the steps of gaining root access to edit system files
and or system access to network manager - I cant even change my theme cos the damn "apply" button is greyed out

Help plz !

[oz]

Hi all
I'm a linux noob and have tried 4-5 distros (ubuntu fedora mandriva and currently kubuntu) but I keep running up against the same problems - ie grayed out buttons Grrr!
I have read up on why there is no root login - fair enough - but I need to be able to do some configuring !

I feel like I am missing out on some small but vital info
I have tried the kdesu sudo type commands but without any success (they always fail)

could someone please walk me through the steps of gaining root access to edit system files
and or system access to network manager - I cant even change my theme cos the damn "apply" button is greyed out

Help plz !

Welcome to the forums!

There is no need to log in as root user because you can use the su or sudo commands to take care of administrative tasks. I've been using Linux for more than 9 years and don't remember when I last logged in as root user, but it's been many years, now.

The *buntu variety of distributions use sudo for gaining root permissions, so basically, it's go to a terminal and issue your desired command with sudo in front of it:

sudo command_name

You can check this short article for more info on su vs sudo:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/ubu...in-ubuntu.html

Check this HowTo for more info on using sudo graphically:

Running Sudo Graphically

[reed9]

I cant even change my theme cos the damn "apply" button is greyed out

This speaks to some other problem. You should not have to be root to change your user's themes.

What distro are you using currently?

[Lurkio77]

Ok Ill describe one problem in detail and maybe someone could give me a walk through on how they would solve it
Kubuntu 9.04
network manager asks for password on startup (irritating as I have just given the password to login)
there is an option to set the connection(wifi) as a system setting which I am presuming will solve the problem - but I cant get at it cos it is greyed out
I am assuming that if I have the appropriate permission I can enable it
but I have no idea how to write the command - saying use "sudo" or something like that isnt enough - I need more detail - the exact steps required to start the network application graphically so I can tick the box
sorry to be such a noob but everyone has to start somewhere !

[coopstah13]

Root account isn't enabled by default on the buntus, but its pretty easy to enable it.

sudo passwd root

This will let you set a root password, then you can use root. You can always switch to root by executing

sudo su

[Lurkio77]

sorry means nothing to me
tried it and .......
nothing

[reed9]

First off, Kubuntu should be set up to open the system settings with appropriate permissions as needed.

Second, you can accomplish everything you need to without enabling the true root account in Kubuntu. No idea why Coopstah suggested that.

Third, if a graphical program needs root permissions, and isn't for some reason setup to open with the correct permisssions, then use kdesudo (KDE) or gksudo (GNOME/XFCE). Sudo is for terminal commands.

You can open the KDE system settings with root permissions as so

kdesudo systemsettings

Asking for a password for knetworkmanager is a function of the KDE Wallet, which can also be configured in the system settings. Basically, the idea is that it can store all of a user's various passwords securely, so you only have to remember your own use password. When you open a program that uses KDE Wallet, it asks for your password, and since networkmanager starts as soon as you log in...

I agree, it's annoying. I don't use it myself.

[minthaka]

Basically KDWallet is one of the irritating applications I use to disable as soon as I install a system (In KDE control center on "advanced" tab you can do it easily). I'm currently using Kubuntu 9.04.
Actually, what do you want to do? To setup your network ? I think we need more accurate descriptions.

[Lurkio77]

Yeah I tried disabling kdewallet but network manager wont work without it

I tried installing WICD which worked great until i tried to shutdown or restart (it crashed the shutdown process somehow)

the real problem is that I have encountered bugs of various sorts with all the distros I have tried but been prevented from sorting them out because I cant get to the relevant files or access the permissions necessary to click the grayed out buttons

I really am regretting the whole thing - I think linux could be great but only if you know lots of command line stuff - and Im sorry but I just dont think that is acceptable in a modern OS

[reed9]

the real problem is that I have encountered bugs of various sorts with all the distros I have tried but been prevented from sorting them out because I cant get to the relevant files or access the permissions necessary to click the grayed out buttons

I'm really boggled by this. In multiple distros you're finding that the system config tools don't work? And that you are unable to even open a command line text editor as root? I can't help but think there is something, most likely simple, that you are doing or not doing, leading to this.

Look, it's not so much about bugs or needing to know how to use the command line or whatnot. It's just a learning curve. You've probably been using Windows for years, and now you're learning an entirely different OS. There's a lot that looks familiar, which makes it all the more frustrating when it doesn't behave the way you're used to.

If you're not interested in learning or decide linux isn't for you, that's cool, too. As it stands, you're communicating that your frustrated with your linux experience, but you haven't been able to give us much to go on as far as troubleshooting. Play by play, I did this, then this occured, then I did this, and got this exact error message, sort of thing.

I think linux could be great but only if you know lots of command line stuff - and Im sorry but I just dont think that is acceptable in a modern OS

I think the opposite. It's unacceptable in a modern OS to not have an easy and powerful way to get under the hood and do things.