Authentication Failure of Root Password

English Applications
1

First off I would like to say I am a new to Linux.

I have been experiencing an error (the past few weeks) whenever I try to install a software package using the default installer. Each time I enter the root password it is not accepted and I am unable to get past it and the installation fails.

This is the error message that is issued:
[PK_TMP_DIR|dir:///var/tmp/TmpDir.mf2zCf] Repository already exists.

I am able to enter the root password in a terminal session without any problem along with using the Install Software option in the main menu.

This problem also show itself when I attempt to mount a partition.

Any help and guidance will be appreciated.

Thank you,
jerry

2

hmmm try rpm --rebuilddb

not at all sure about the “mount” problem how are you mounting?

3

jjbogdanoff wrote:
> First off I would like to say I am a new to Linux.

then, you are gonna need some patience as most everything you learned
in other operating systems won’t apply here…

> I have been experiencing an error (the past few weeks) whenever I try
> to install a software package using the default installer.

what do you mean by “the default installer”? the best way to have
trouble free installation of new software is to use YaST > Software >
Software Management to both install and remove software…

> Each time I
> enter the root password it is not accepted and I am unable to get past
> it and the installation fails.
>
> This is the error message that is issued:
> [PK_TMP_DIR|dir:///var/tmp/TmpDir.mf2zCf] Repository already exists.

that error messages has nothing to do with rejecting your root
password, instead it clearly says the problem is that a particular
directory already exists…what it doesn’t say is that whatever you
are trying to do is trying to CREATE that already existing directory
again…and, it barfs…

i guess how ever you are trying to add software is not the way
designed for openSUSE, nor the way most here would recommend you use…

perhaps you need to become more familiar with your new operating
system…i’d say maybe begin with http://en.opensuse.org/Concepts and
before you let your eyes glaze over (and forehead hit the keyboard) be
sure and get to section two, the part about software/package
management (aka: installing and uninstalling software)

and, for more documentation than you can shake a stick at see one of
my old post, here: http://tinyurl.com/ybklh48

and, any time you feel youself getting so fed up with all this new
crazy stuff (and maybe are ready to quit), read: Linux is Not
Windows http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm slowly…

maybe twice…

and, as your patience improves you can al

> I am able to enter the root password in a terminal session without any
> problem along with using the Install Software option in the main menu.

hmmmm…i guess that is YaST, right? so, you CAN use your root pass
in terminal sessions and YaST…

> This problem also show itself when I attempt to mount a partition.

but you can not use your root password to mount? hmmmmm…how are you
attempting to mount what, and why?

> Any help and guidance will be appreciated.

gather your patience up and don’t let it escape…we want to help you
and (believe me) we know it is difficult to get started (unfortunately
the easiest way to get started is to know everything first…[or
forget everything you know about how other systems do it…])

–
DenverD (Linux Counter 282315)
CAVEAT: http://is.gd/bpoMD
posted via NNTP w/TBird 2.0.0.23 | KDE 3.5.7 | openSUSE 10.3
2.6.22.19-0.4-default SMP i686
AMD Athlon 1 GB RAM | GeForce FX 5500 | ASRock K8Upgrade-760GX |
CMedia 9761 AC’97 Audio

4

Hello, and thanks for taking the time to respond. I will attempt to answer your first question regarding “the default installer”.

Using site luckyBackup - backup and sync utility for example purposes only. About half way down the page you will see GENERIC RPM listed with four links to download the software. When you left-click one to start the download a dialog box opens giving you two choices. One is to "open with Install Software (default) and the other is to save as a file. The default software installer is what I am referring to in my post. I do not know what the “default” is but installing software this way does not accept my root password.
I am able to enter the root password in a terminal session using sudo or su, both methods accept the root password. Also, through the main menu, selecting “Install software” I am able to enter the root password without issues.
I hope this is clearer for you and look forward to any suggestions you might have.
I will follow the links you suggested to learn more.

jerryjb

5

Use Yast… Any other install method is for more advanced users. I’m pretty sure that luckybuckup is in the repositories. Always check there first.

6

I will keep in mind what you have written regarding Yast. I is very simple to use and seems to have a number of programs one can make use of.

Thank you,
jerryjb

7

i agree completely with ‘gogalthorp’, when you need a new software
program it is almost always best to install it with YaST, and from one
of the four ‘standard’ openSUSE software repositories (oss, non-oss,
update and packman)…

i would personally NEVER use any other installer…even if i decided i
had to have luckyBackup, and i didn’t find it in an openSUSE repo,
then i would download the RPM and right click it…and select from the
popup menu Actions > Install with YaST

in your case that would SOLVE the problem of it not accepting your
root password (we already know your root pass works, just NOT for that
luckyBackup’s “generic installer” routine)…

and, additionally if installed with YaST it would automatically place
the new program in your menu system AND give an easy way to uninstall it…

my best advice: do it the openSUSE way…on the other hand do Windows
the Windows way and Ubuntu the Ubuntu way–NEVER the off the wall way
or some random “generic installer” found on ONE internet site…

–
DenverD (Linux Counter 282315)
CAVEAT: http://is.gd/bpoMD
posted via NNTP w/TBird 2.0.0.23 | KDE 3.5.7 | openSUSE 10.3
2.6.22.19-0.4-default SMP i686
AMD Athlon 1 GB RAM | GeForce FX 5500 | ASRock K8Upgrade-760GX |
CMedia 9761 AC’97 Audio