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Can't su to root

 
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Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers Can't su to root
# 1  
Old 08-26-2002
Can't su to root
I keep getting
"su: Your own ID is unknown" whenever I try to su to root.


Why is this??? I cannot find anything anywhere with this message.
# 2  
Old 08-26-2002
Make sure you are a member of the same group root is.
I'm new to this Linux stuff but I know "wheel" is the group used w/FreeBDS.

Hope it helps
# 3  
Old 08-26-2002
might want to check /etc/passwd and make sure that you do have a GID and UID for that account. Other than that, try with a diff account, then tell us what happens.
cerberusofhate
# 4  
Old 08-26-2002
Also, what OS and version are you using (can find this with the command uname -a). Some Unix variants will only allow specific user IDs to use "su" - you should probably talk to your administrator about this.
# 5  
Old 09-05-2002
SCO_SV tshsco 3.2 5.0.6 i386.

How do I check the UID and GID of root??
# 6  
Old 09-05-2002
% grep root /etc/passwd
root:x:0:1:Super-User:/root:/bin/ksh

The third field is the uid, the fourth field is gid. Read the man pages on passwd (section 4). Note your entry will look different than this example posted.
# 7  
Old 09-10-2002
When I checked the UID and GID for root and a user I got this:
root:x:0:3:Superuser::/
scott:x:236:50::/u/scott

When I went to create a new user I received these messages
Unable to create home directory for user : scott You must create a home directory before theuser c

Unable to create home directory
General Failure occured in processing request
/tcb/lib/useshell:File control database inconsistv
 
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