Q4OS Forum

cwt

Member

Registered: 2023-11-11

Posts: 4

Root?

I am new to q4os and just interacting with the Trinity desktop for the first time after an automated install.  I am trying to copy some files from backup as part of migrating.  Root privs are needed to access some files, and this is where I am stuck.  The adminq account does not have root privs, and the root account appears to be disabled or nonexistent.  For example "su root" gives an authentication failure, and sudo asks for credentials of the currently logged in user.  Can someone explain what is happening and how to break out of this situation?

bin

Member

From: U.K.

Registered: 2016-01-28

Posts: 1,333

Re: Root?

Q4OS - along with many these days - disables the root account and so you do stuff via sudo instead. IMHO a much safer system all round. I haven't used a root account for 10+ years now.

In Trinity you'll find there's a link to root krusader in the file managers - sorry, not running Trinity right now so you'll have to look for it but it will just ask for your password and then off you go. It's a twin pane file manager in the style of Norton Commando, take a few minutes to become familiar with the way it works.

Senas Komunistas

Member

From: Lithuania

Registered: 2016-04-17

Posts: 52

Re: Root?

Hello.

Root superuser password is disabled by default in Q4OS. Use "sudo" to issue commands as root. You can also manually enable and change the root password to be able to use root account directly:

$ sudo passwd

cwt

Member

Registered: 2023-11-11

Posts: 4

Re: Root?

Q4OS is leaving me confused.  I cannot tell if the install is broken or if I don't comprehend how sudo works in Q4OS.  Probably the latter.  For example, a dialogue box appears when I launch the Synaptic Package Manager.  It wants an admin password.  What password does it take, it rejects them all.  I get a message "Your username is unknown to sudo".

I also followed the instructions above and entered sudo passwd.  That fails with the message that user is not in the sudoers file.

Rademes

Member

From: Latvia

Registered: 2015-12-13

Posts: 637

Re: Root?

Good day and welcome to the Q4OS Forum.

First: Before installing Q4OS it is recommended to read the documentation from here: https://www.q4os.org/documents.html
Especially this one: https://www.q4os.org/dqa018.html

Second: As I figured out, you have been using Fast installation method.
According to the documentation: Fast install will recreate all partitioning on the disk drive automatically and format it with no question. It will erase all the hard drive data and install Q4OS onto the primary device. A predefined user account will be created, and the system will ask the user to set up a password immediately after the first login.

Have you set up a password after the first login?
If yes, then you can use it as sudo password and as admin password. If no, then I am not sure, but the easiest way will be to reinstall Q4OS. Please read carefully the documentation before reinstalling. This will answer to many questions and helps to avoid many problems during and after system installation. Do not forget to set up a password during installation if you will use Classic installation method or after the first login if you will use Fast installation method with predefined user account. Later you will be able to change your user password using this instruction:
https://devconnected.com/how-to-change- … debian-10/
Also read this: https://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4683

And third: Before asking for help please read this topic: https://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3502 And provide all necessary information.

Good luck!

Last edited by Rademes (2023-11-15 19:19)

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Before asking for help please read this topic: https://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3502   If you have problems with WiFi network, try to install the Network Manager using Q4OS Software Centre.

cwt

Member

Registered: 2023-11-11

Posts: 4

Re: Root?

Thank you, I reinstalled using the guided option.  The root account functions properly.  So is the automated install buggy or is absence of root a feature?

Rademes

Member

From: Latvia

Registered: 2015-12-13

Posts: 637

Re: Root?

Thank you, I reinstalled using the guided option.  The root account functions properly.  So is the automated install buggy or is absence of root a feature?

Good to hear, that you have found the solution. Personally I have not used the automated install, so I can not answer to your question. The only thing I can tell is, the root account exists on every Linux OS.

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Before asking for help please read this topic: https://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3502   If you have problems with WiFi network, try to install the Network Manager using Q4OS Software Centre.

cwt

Member

Registered: 2023-11-11

Posts: 4

Re: Root?

Yes, I am aware.  Even so, it is possible to paint oneself into a proverbial corner.  That seems to be what the automated installer does.  Sure root exist in theory but you are locked out like on an android phone.