Ubuntu
yelp package

Why does the application refuse to recognise the registered password?

Asked by nobbywebfoot

I am attempting to start using Ubuntu in Virtual Machine Player.
As far as I am aware I have completed the registration successfully and I am now attempting to set up and use the rest of the Ubuntu application.
On occasion I am requested to give my password before I can continue.
I give the password submitted in the registration this is refused every time as erroneous.
I have gone back time and again to re-register but the situation remains the same.
Raw beginners like myself who have only been using Windows for 6 years need to be guided by hand step by step through the successive stages in setting up not expected to just jab buttons in the dark.
I had hoped the starter guide would be of help but it is of no help except how to download and install Ubuntu and further applications.
How do I get into and USE Ubuntu?
As I do not know where to look for your reply would you please email it to: <email address hidden>
Thank you, George Clarke

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Ubuntu yelp Edit question
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Solved by:
Markus Bertheau
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Revision history for this message
Mike Perry (mike.perry) said : 		#1

George
I'm not 100% certain what you mean by re-register, but I think I get the gist of what you are doing. So let me see if I can extrapolate on it.

I'm going to oversimplify, but -- Linux has two types of users: "root" and "not root".
root is the user that has administrative access to the computer. It is called root for historical purposes, but the name has no current meaning.
Everyone else in the system is not root and has to be given permission by root to do things which temporarily gives them root access for 1 specific task.

By default Ubuntu disables root, but gives the default user "sudo" access. When prompted for a password they are asking for your password. Once you authenticate yourself sudo gives you root access.

Take a look at the following page:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RootSudo

That should explain things a bit more. I have not seen a case where sudo didn't work after the install (perhaps its a bug?). It should "Just Work"

After farmilarizing yourself with the above link try clicking on Applications->Accessories->Terminal. Once the terminal is up type "sudo -s" (less the quotes). You should be prompted for a password. Type in the password you used during the install. After which you should get a "#" prompt. If so you got root access and everything should be fine. Use that password for now on when prompted. If it doesn't work then there is a bigger problem (perhaps a bug).

Revision history for this message
Markus Bertheau (mbertheau) said : 		#2

If you used the virtual machine that can be downloaded on vmwares site, then try an empty password (just hit enter). If you installed ubuntu into vmware yourself (i.e. with an install disc), you were prompted to choose a password for your user; in this case use this password.

Revision history for this message
nobbywebfoot (rafpenguin) said : 		#3

Hullo Mike and Markus, thank you for your very welcome help, I have tried all that you have suggested and nothing has happened.
By re-registering I meant total shutdown, uninstall VMPlayer, clear the registry, then install again, of course this does not work.
It would seem that after trying so many distros of Linux, seven in all, on dual boot, live and finally on virtual machine, that it is me who is at fault and all Linux must be completely beyond my comprehension. I am just plain stupid.
I am now going to call an end and just forget about Linux. At least I have Firefox, Thunderbird, Gimp and Open Office which had tempted me towards Linux but clearly Linux is very different and not meant for ordinary people.
Best wishes, George Clarke