Default user with auto login does not have access to users maintenance

Asked by HughM

I set the default user to auto log in. At a later date I disabled user management for that user (not thinking). I now cannot access the system by any user other than the default non system admin user.

How can I re enable user maintenance for this user through the terminal interface.

I have tried switching to system user but I cannot get logged in, I am not allowed access to the password field. I have set up new users and using vi have added them the the root group, when I try to switch to these users I also am blocked from the password field and cannot log in.

Do I need to do a reinstall?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Ryan Maki (ryan.maki) said :
#1

When you say users maintenance do you mean `sudo`?

I am assuming that since you can "use vi to add them to the root group" that you still have another user with sudo permissions.

Try adding the user in question to the admin group, this group should have sudo permission. The root group can't sudo, only the root user, which should be disabled in a default installation.

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask HughM for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.