Ubuntu
sudo package

Privileges?

Asked by Peter Dayski

Very sorry if this has been asked before, but we've recently installed Ubuntu 11.04
We're getting things set up, like flash player, and it requires a password for authentication.
Problem is our password doesn't work. I know because wherever it's asked me to give a password I've used one.

I found something about logging in to sudo root, "sudo passwd root" iirc and we give it a password for it to say "sorry, try again"

Is there something I'm doing wrong or is there a secret password we don't know about?

Thanks :)

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Peter Dayski
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enubuntu (mr.tennents) said : 		#1

Hi read this:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

You need a password to use sudo. DO NOT run the command you gave, the activity is not supported, advised or needed in Ubuntu.

If you want to reset your password, reboot and hold shift before grub loads and select recovery mode, select root then run:

passwd foo

replace foo with your username. E.g:

passwd foo

Then run:

reboot

To reboot, then you can use your new password to login and authenticate with sudo.

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Peter Dayski (jzinsky) said : 		#3

I don't want to reset my password, I want to install flash player, but it's asking for authentication.. It demands a password and I only have the one. I've only entered one on the laptop the whole time (I've installed windows on it several times and still only used the one) so I don't get it. Is this password I need for authentication the one I use to log in or is there another one?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

If you want flash, simply run:

sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

Type your password (You will get no feedback, just type and it will be accepted) and hit ENTER. Itwill install what you need.

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Peter Dayski (jzinsky) said : 		#5

It would appear the problem is in front of the keyboard...

Turns out some of the keys don't work, so when my girlfriend plugged in the usb one she didn't take into account that the password I told her is minus Zs, Xs, Cs and Vs

Doh!

Thanks for the help everyone, at least now I know what those other installation instructions mean :)