X doesn't work with root

Forum: X and Fluxbox
Topic: X doesn't work with root
started by: Theo

Posted by Theo on April 16 2004,01:48

I have installed DSL on a Compaq 300mhz machine. There are a couple of installation issues that I am wishing to address, but unfortunately I cannot open X as root. User damnsmall and my own user work fine, but when I log on as root all I get is a grey screen with a minimal black line of worksheet area showing at the bottom. A right click brings up e small fluxbox menu with xterm, restart and exit on it restart doesn't do anything and the other two do what they say.

My knowledge of the command line is still very sketchy and there seems to be little I can do from my own user without the appropriate permissions.

How do I start X from root.

Thanks,

Theo

Posted by roberts on April 16 2004,07:18

What version are you running? This sounds like an old problem.

Posted by Grim on April 16 2004,08:34

I ran across this the other day. Root doesn't have a home directory and, therefore, doesn't have any fluxbox configuration files. So, when you start X, as root, there's nothing in the menu and the root window is empty.

You can do two things to remedy this, create a /root directory and copy everything from /home/damnsmall there (cp -R /home/damnsmall/* /root), cd to /root and start X or start X normally (i.e. as user damnsmall with the `pwd' set to /home/damnsmall) and sudo su to root. Take your pick.

Posted by roberts on April 16 2004,16:43

Grim, Please give me more details of how it was installed. I am not seeing this. When I dsl-hdinstall, multiuser, I can login to root and get X fine. Let me know so I can fix it.

Posted by Theo on April 16 2004,21:31

Thanks for your help.

I had used version 5.1.1 which I downloaded before Christmas.

I downloaded the latest version overnight and installed it this morning. It is fine and a credit to everyone involved.

Theo

Posted by roberts on April 16 2004,22:26

I thought it might be an "old" one. As I remember John fixing that particular problem.

Posted by Grim on April 17 2004,04:40

Quote (roberts @ April 16 2004,10:43)

Grim, Please give me more details of how it was installed. I am not seeing this. When I dsl-hdinstall, multiuser, I can login to root and get X fine. Let me know so I can fix it.

Didn't mean to make you freak out or anything Roberts. It was an old version, I just guessed at the problem he was having.