terminal issue

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Hey all,

when i try to change to a super user (su), I am thrown the error message "su: Sorry" as if I typed in the wrong password. The password I am typing in is correct. I tried going into Sys Preferences and changing my password, but this doesn't seem to help at all. When I changed my password I DID exit out of console and go back in. I'm no sure what do do here. Furthermore, when my mac turns on, I do not get a login prompt. I went into Sys Prefs -> Accounts and did not see anything where I can enable this.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Technically, you can't be root in OS X, though you *can* have root privileges. For an action that requires root/admin privileges, use sudo.
 

rman


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I believe that in order to use su you will have to enable the root account. Which is disabled by default.
 
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try su <Root user name> instead. (eg. su root)
 
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Technically, you can't be root in OS X, though you *can* have root privileges. For an action that requires root/admin privileges, use sudo.

Very interesting - this will fall under the "you learn something new everyday" catagory lol


I tried logging in as su root and su bokey (my user name), but to no avail. :(
 
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The root account, by default, is disabled (as rman points out).

To enable it, you have to go into Applications -> Utilities -> NetInfo Manager and choose "Security --> Authenticate" and then "Enable Root User."

(The UNIX geek who's lived inside of me since 1986 is screaming "NO! NO!! NO!!" in my ears as I type this.)

Use these instructions at your own risk.

(There, he went quiet.)
 
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Caribiner is right (again :D) Having root enabled can cause you MAJOR problems if you make a mistake as easy as the misplacement of "-" "r" "m" or "f"...

BE CAREFUL
 
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The easiest way to get a root shell without enabling your root account is like this:

sudo su -

exactly like that. Enter your password and you are root, with a full root environment. Note that you need to be an administrator user to do this.
 
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i'll try sudo when i get off of work -- sudo su always worked to force the scrips to run.

I've been working with linux and mac for a few years and I've done my fair share of "Oh My!"'s lol so trust me i know what can happen! thanks for the info caribiner23. I look at it this way: If you plan out what you're doing first, take your time, and know whats going to happen then enabling root should never be an issue.
 

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