commands won't work in terminal

OK, tried that. Didn't work. I got following
(gedit:8703): GnomeUI-WARNING **: While connecting to session manager: Authentication Rejected, reason : None of the authentication protocols specified are supported and host-based authentication failed.
Thanks for your help.

Try

gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

instead.

tried that, got: (gedit:13579): GnomeUI-WARNING ** While connecting to session manager: Authentication Rejected, reason : None of the authentication protocols specified are supported and host-based authentication failed.

That's not good. gksudo (make sure you use the full command) is the command to run gui apps as root. If it doesn't work then something might be messed up with your system. No idea what that could be though. You could try straight sudo. It's not recommended for gui apps but with gedit it seems fine. I do it all the time. I would never run nautilus that way though :).

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Obviously you have a problem that probably needs sorting out but you can also edit in a terminal. Try

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

However, if you can't run anything as root for some reason that would work either I suspect. Have you made any modifications lately? Did it work before and suddenly stop or this is a new install and it never worked?

Hey, that worked. Thank you so much. Now I really feel stupid. What do I do to make my tv out put work, or 2nd monitor I guess it's called. I have a C600 Dell Latitude and with windows, it's in control panel, display, multiple monitors, and I just have to turn it on. It's so diffent on Ubunto. If you have any idea how to make it work from here I sure would appreciate it, but you've been so helpful so far, I hate to bother you anymore and should try to take it from here by reading up on it. But, would love the help. Thanks so much, Donna

It would be best to ask a new question about that. Anyone who knows the answer is unlike to find it. I'm not as good with the 2nd monitor bit, however, I do know that you will want to use something called twinview or xinerama. I set up twinview once to use an lcd projector. It's not perfect but is workable. I got help right here setting it up. Maybe my thread will help you.

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8231

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Thanks Luca Falavigna, that solved my question.

Thanks for your patience and help. I am new to this and now have a better understanding of how things work, where to go for help, and maybe someday I can help someone.

NOTHING WORKS. USING WIN MEDIA PLAYER IS BETTER . AT LEAST THEY HAVE A SIMPLE EXE.
TRIED USING MOVIE PLAYER WITH ALL THE RIGHT PLUGINS , AND TYPING THE COMMANDS IN TERMINAL THEN ASKS FOR PASSWORD . CANNOT TYPE ANYTHING ELSE AFTER THE SUDO PROMPT.