Login as Root

Posted:
in macOS edited January 2014
This is a stupid question, but... How do I login as Root?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 14
    Why do you need to do this? THis is one of those things you are not supposed to do, and if you really need it, use the Terminal.
  • Reply 2 of 14
    When I installed Linux it asked me to set the root password. When I installed OS X though it never asked me for one. I assume there is a default root password. What is it?



    The reason for which I need to login as root was because when I tried to compile Window Maker it didn't work. The instructions said I needed to be logged in as Root. I assume that was the problem.



    Also, I think you've heard of LiquidityX, the all graphite thing. To be able to change the files in the System I need to be logged in as root. Even if I restart in OS 9, some functions are impossible.
  • Reply 3 of 14
    airslufairsluf Posts: 1,861member
  • Reply 4 of 14
    That sounds about right, AirSluf.



    If you can, use the Terminal. it makes it s little harder to hose your system.



    BTW, watch out for software that wants to run as root, 99% of software does not require this, nor does it need it. If you let it run as root, it can do anything it wants to, including erase your hard disk.
  • Reply 5 of 14
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    You don't need to log in as root to install window maker. You need to sudo to install window maker. If you don't know what that is, you shouldn't be logging in as root. Seriously. You'll screw up your system badly if you're not careful. You can install windowmaker from the terminal using 'sudo [command here]' and then entering in the password you used when you set up OSX. As for liquity X, you're just asking for trouble. If you have to login as root, you're better off avoiding it all together.
  • Reply 6 of 14
    Even after activating the root profile, you still won't be able to log in as root at the main log in window (i.e. when booting or restarting).



    The way around this is to activate the "Show 'other user' in list for network users" swtch. This is found under the login window tab in the login System Prefs. You'll then be able manually type root as the user along with the password at startup.



    Hope this helps!
  • Reply 7 of 14
    Thanks for the advice but, after doing as told, I still couldn't login as root. It asked me for the existing password in order to change the password. My login password is incorrect. There has to be a default password.
  • Reply 8 of 14
    smirclesmircle Posts: 1,035member
    Originally posted by Gong Rui:

    [quote]Thanks for the advice but, after doing as told, I still couldn't login as root. It asked me for the existing password in order to change the password. My login password is incorrect. There has to be a default password.<hr></blockquote>

    There is no default password (would be quite a security hole, would't it?). It's the password of the first user you created (right in the config wizard).
  • Reply 9 of 14
    kaboomkaboom Posts: 286member
    [quote]... (right in the config wizard). <hr></blockquote>You just called the Setup Assistant a "wizard".

    You do realize that that is blasphemy, don't you?

    Prepare to die.



  • Reply 10 of 14
    smirclesmircle Posts: 1,035member
    Originally posted by kaboom:

    [quote]You just called the Setup Assistant a "wizard".

    You do realize that that is blasphemy, don't you?

    <hr></blockquote>

    Right. You go and tell me the f u c k ing earth-shaking difference between the blazing assistant and some wizard? ;-)



    Get real, it is modeled by the wizard interface MS pioneered. And it has all the drawbacks for power users.



    [edit:] workaround for lame censorship attempt. This f u c k ing s u c k s Appleinsider :-)



    [ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: Smircle ]</p>
  • Reply 11 of 14
    Sheesh, if you people can't figure out something as simple as enabling the root user, you sure as hell shouldn't be using the root user.



    Try this:[code]sudo passwd root</pre><hr></blockquote>Is that easy enough for ya'? <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
  • Reply 12 of 14
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    [quote]Originally posted by starfleetX:

    <strong>Sheesh, if you people can't figure out something as simple as enabling the root user, you sure as hell shouldn't be using the root user. </strong><hr></blockquote>



    That's what I was saying. Great minds think alike, I guess
  • Reply 13 of 14
    One thing I love is that apple hid a lot of stuff so the average user who put a space in front of their hard drive name and type



    sudo rm -rf / macintosh hd/documents/file.ext
  • Reply 14 of 14
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Any newbie that decides to use sudo or root should also create the file ~/Library/init/tcsh/aliases (...or a .tcshrc...)



    and put in the line:

    [code]alias rm rm -i</pre><hr></blockquote>



    This will make rm prompt you for every file you delete.



    If you ever choose to circumvent that safety precaution, you can type \

    m
    instead.



    [ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
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