How to login as root in KDE (debian)

[facundosuarez]

Hi

I'm using KDE on DEBIAN and it won't allow me to log in as root.

I know I know... why would I want to login as root???

to use synaptic (for example) without having to open a console and do "SU" and type root password.

thanks

[nko]

I get a warning about that in Mandrake. Does it let you log in, or just warn you? How far does it load before telling you "shame on you, root!"?

[dvdnut]

dont you need to use xhost?

then you can run root X apps within the user X work area

I THINK

[ven0m]

I've only logged in as root by accident once, when I had to start-up in run-level 3 and install my nvidia drivers, I run startx and forgot to log out of root.
I hope this helps?

[scott_R]

if you mean that you can't log in as a normal user, then 'su' to root, it might be that you didn't give your user permission to become root. To do that, you'll have to log completely out of your normal user, then log in as root, and change your permissions for your normal user account to be able to su to root.

Other than that, I'd say maybe you're using the wrong password, or that you somehow accidentally changed the root password. The last idea is pretty unlikely, however.

[facundosuarez]

As for mandrake similarities: it doesn't just warn me. It doesn't allow me to login as root = I don't go past the login screen.

To use xhost? what's that?

For the other guys:
I do have the root password and I can login in the console as root. BUT if I login as root in the console and go "startX" I get a message saying that "the X server is already running".

Of course pressing ALT F7 will take me to X, which is already "on" and showing the debian login screen. Pressing CTRL-ALT-BKSPACE will "reset" X to the same login screen, which is the one that does not allow me to log in as root. And yes, when I boot I go straight to the X Debian login screen instead of going to the console.

I hope you understand my problem now. :)
Thanks a lot for your help.

[nko]

So if I've got this right:

You're logging in as a normal user on a Debian system. It loads straight in to X, and doesn't let you log in as root. From here, you're going to a different tty and typing "startx" to try and run X as root.

Am I confused?

If I'm not, then you should be doing everything almost fine. Just try "startx -- :1" instead.

If that'll do it, here's what's going on:

When you start X, be it through xinit, X, or startx, or some other executable or script, the X server is started. Once the server has started, it allows you to serve graphics out to any number of "screens". By default, just starting the X server, "screen 0" is used.

In order to have X serve graphics out to another display (or another tty), you have to call on the already-loaded server, specifying a different display. "startx -- :1" will tell the X server that's running for the first user to display graphics for this other tty, and refer to it as screen 1 (and the first one would be screen 0).

*crosses fingers* Was I right? Did that help? I don't think I've ever advised anyone on a Linux issue before!