[HOWTO] - Enable Root Login to Mac OSX

[suthep]

so, perhaps you can assist me ...

i have some root system files (duplicated ones) in my Trash, and i cannot get rid of them and they are using much-needed space

how would i use sudo in terminal mode to force an emptying (deletion) of the Trash?

thanx mucho



suthep

[suthep]

oh yes -

and howdo i know what the factory setting passwrod is for the root?


thanx

suthep

[Dehuti]

Or to have pernament root' session - just type sudo bash , that will start another bash process... as a superuser.

[wiz]

Actually enabling the root account and giving it a PASSWORD is more --secure--

specially if ur connected to a public network, or there are number of users using ur computer

this way no one knows the root password except you

[anykey]

A couple of people have said " "sudo -s" to start a new command line shell with root privledges" ... but su switches current shell into su mode and is fewer keystrokes ...

[FlashMac]

'sudo root' doesnt work for me.

'sudo -s' works, but doesnt ask for a password, just changes the prompt to'machinename:~ root#' - I think I might have set it up with no password! Ca anyone tell me if I'm right, and how to change it.

I have not, and don't want to, enable root user permanently, Sudo's good enough for me.

[FlashMac]

Sorry, I engaged my brain and read the few posts above, did this:

lons007:~ admin$ sudo passwd root
Changing password for root.
New password:
Retype new password:
lons007:~ admin$

...all ok now by the looks of it - and root is still not enabled, hopefully.

[lurk]

Originally Posted by wiz

Actually enabling the root account and giving it a PASSWORD is more --secure--

specially if ur connected to a public network, or there are number of users using ur computer

this way no one knows the root password except you

This statement is 100% false. Not having any password to guess is infinitely more secure than having one that only you know!