Change Computer Name / Dedicated root Password

[Dulwithe]

Hello All,

I don’t know that this post fits here, nor does it fit in “Applications.”

Anyway, installing suse doesn’t seem to give you the chance to name your computer. Now my computer is called “linux-0qvi” or something strange like that.

I want to name my computer. Can I do this now without screwing things up??

Also, during install, there didn’t seem to be an opportunity to make a separate root password. My first (and main user) account is now set up with admin rights, so I have to type in my account password every time I do something as root.

Can I set a separate dedicated root password without screwing up my system??

Thanks for any help you can give.

(And, yes, I DID search the forums and google and yahoo before posting this.)

D.

[Dulwithe]

Just replying to subscribe to this thread. BTW, is there a way to automatically subscribe to threads one starts or posts in??

[Barry_Nichols]

Hi,

@Dulwithe

I want to name my computer. Can I do this now without screwing things up??

This is possible, and easy, but unfortunately I can’t remember how to do it.

I’m sure someone else will reply quicker than I could search for it on Google.

@Dulwithe

Can I set a separate dedicated root password without screwing up my system??

from the terminal:

su
passwd

@Dulwithe

Just replying to subscribe to this thread. BTW, is there a way to automatically subscribe to threads one starts or posts in??

Yes, in the user control panel.

[Dulwithe]

Thanks for that, Barry. Pretty easy. I’ll try it when I get home.

• D.

[malcolmlewis]

@Dulwithe

Hello All,

I don’t know that this post fits here, nor does it fit in
“Applications.”

Anyway, installing suse doesn’t seem to give you the chance to name
your computer. Now my computer is called “linux-0qvi” or something
strange like that.

I want to name my computer. Can I do this now without screwing things
up??

Also, during install, there didn’t seem to be an opportunity to make a
separate root password. My first (and main user) account is now set up
with admin rights, so I have to type in my account password every time I
do something as root.

Can I set a separate dedicated root password without screwing up my
system??

Thanks for any help you can give.

(And, yes, I DID search the forums and google and yahoo before posting
this.)

D.

Hi
You must have missed the root password option during install

If you run YaST->Network Service->Network Devices you can set the host
name.

If you run the command sudo -i from a terminal, then use the passwd
command to change the root password.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.37-0.1-default
up 11:16, 2 users, load average: 0.02, 0.09, 0.13
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - CUDA Driver Version: 190.18

[Barry_Nichols]

Hi,

You’re welcome.

I noticed there is also a solution to your other problem already.

Regards,
Barry.

[ken_yap]

@Dulwithe

Also, during install, there didn’t seem to be an opportunity to make a separate root password. My first (and main user) account is now set up with admin rights, so I have to type in my account password every time I do something as root.

I know this was answered, but just to point out where you missed it so you can look out for it next time you install openSUSE.

It’s a checkbox on the creation of the first user account (yours) that reads: Use same password for root.

[Barry_Nichols]

@Dulwithe

Just replying to subscribe to this thread. BTW, is there a way to automatically subscribe to threads one starts or posts in??

You could also select ‘subscribe to this thread’ from the ‘Thread Tools’ drop down menu at the top of the page.

Regards,
Barry.

[Dulwithe]

So, I tried to change the host name as above, but perhaps my terminology was bad.

At konsole I have presently:

user@linux-0vqi:~>

How do I change the “linux-0vqi” part…???

And thanks for everyone’s help. Suse forum people so far are very friendly and helpful. Much appreciated.

D.

[wildnux]

restart your computer… it should make a difference.

[pilotgi]

@malcolmlewis

If you run YaST->Network Service->Network Devices you can set the host
name.

I think he meant YaST > Network Services > Hostnames.

@Dulwithe

How do I change the “linux-0vqi” part…???

Highlight linux-0vqi and then click edit.

[RubyTuesday]

@Dulwithe

At konsole I have presently:

user@linux-0vqi:~>

How do I change the “linux-0vqi” part…???

To fix this I changed the contents of the file /etc/HOSTNAME .

That and changing the entry for 127.0.0.2 in /etc/hosts seemed to change all the occurrences of the random hostname.

Not giving users the chance to set their usual hostname during install seems particularly brain-dead - like many users I want each OS I may run on my machine to be able to network with others on a LAN - so I like all the installed OSs to have the same hostname.

Otherwise in passing (first post here!) let me say that openSUSE looks really useful, once one gets rid of all the greenery!

[pilotgi]

@RubyTuesday

Not giving users the chance to set their usual hostname during install seems particularly brain-dead - like many users I want each OS I may run on my machine to be able to network with others on a LAN - so I like all the installed OSs to have the same hostname.

This is possible during the install. I think it’s at the point where the network is set up. Maybe I can find a screen shot somewhere for the non-believers.

[pilotgi]

I just remembered that the option to change the host name isn’t available if one uses automatic configuration.

[Dulwithe]

Restarted before the follow-up post above. No change at terminal.

D.

[Dulwithe]

@pilotgi

I think he meant YaST > Network Services > Hostnames.

Highlight linux-0vqi and then click edit.

Did this, but again, I don’t have any change at terminal.

D.

[ken_yap]

@RubyTuesday

Not giving users the chance to set their usual hostname during install seems particularly brain-dead - like many users I want each OS I may run on my machine to be able to network with others on a LAN - so I like all the installed OSs to have the same hostname.

You can, only not with Automatic Configuration. But you can easily change it after the configuration has finished. IIRC if you change it in the Networking section, you can elect to propagate it to /etc/HOSTNAME.

[user]

@Dulwithe

So, I tried to change the host name as above, but perhaps my terminology was bad.

At konsole I have presently:

user@linux-0vqi:~>

How do I change the “linux-0vqi” part…???

I let that go through on installation as in the past (not sure about 11.2) the settings I’ve wanted, eg. static IP has stopped the online update in the install process so I configure afterwards.

Yast/Network Devices/Network Settings provides an easy way of sorting out the name and any other settings needed later.

[user]

pilotgi wrote:
> I just remembered that the option to change the host name isn’t
> available if one uses automatic configuration.

proof positive you can’t make everyone happy at the same time:

if “automatic configuration” is not available in openSUSE 10.x some
folks say openSUSE is brain dead…then, if one doesn’t turn off
“automatic configuration” in openSUSE 11.2 some folks say it is brain
dead…

–
palladium

[Prexy]

To the OP:

I like answers with clear steps, so if this seems too simplistic, don’t take offense. It’s just the way I think

Yast–>Network Services–>NetworkDevices
Click on Hostname/DNS tab
There are two boxed to fill in: Hostname and Domain Name. I have seen this last one called site name. The hostname box will have that odd linux-0vqi in it. The Domain will probably be blank.
Change hostname to whatever you want to call your computer.
Change Domain to whatever you call your home network.
Check the box for “write to /etc/hosts”

There may be 6 other ways to do this, but this way always works for me. I don’t remember if a reboot is needed. Open a terminal and see if it changed the prompt to what you wanted. If not, reboot.