Ubuntu
sudo package

need the root password

Asked by Rich.b

As I installed this operating system (Ubuntu12.04) on this Dell 2400 Dimension PC.

Please could someone tell me why if I am updating Ubuntu and I am asked to enter my password ALL updating works well, but if I
type "su" (without "") in terminal and am asked for password it says:-

richard@richard-desktop:~$ su
Password:
su: Authentication failure
richard@richard-desktop:~$

Thanks for any help

Richard

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Ubuntu sudo Edit question
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Solved by:
actionparsnip
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Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#1

try

sudo -i

and give your user password

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#2

Or try to reset your user password, very frequently asked question: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/sudo

Revision history for this message
Warren Hill (warren-hill) said : 		#3

Typiing su changes the user since you have not told it which user the default is root

However, By default Ubuntu does not set up a root user so you don't have the password.

If you want to be root for a while enter

sudo -i

and give your password. When done type

exit

for single command line commands use sudo before the command

and for graphical applications the command is

gksu

or

gksudo

Revision history for this message
Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

You don't need the root password at all. There is a world of difference between 'need' and 'desire'. The command Marcobra gave is what you need. Or you can make life simpler and use the OS as it is deigned and stick to prefixing commands with sudo. You don't have to type your password for each command as there is a grace period of 15 mins where the password is not requested.

Revision history for this message
Rich.b (aybi30) said : 		#5

Thanks for the information to all of you.

I am just starting learn CLI on Linux.

Reading Linux Commend Line Shell Scripting and pocket book from O'Reilly.

Revision history for this message
Rich.b (aybi30) said : 		#6

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.