Can't log in as root on new 7.0 install

[Derek Ragona]

At 11:30 AM 4/14/2008, Jesse Sheidlower wrote:
>On Mon, Apr 14, 2008 at 10:04:21AM -0500, Derek Ragona wrote:
> > At 09:35 AM 4/14/2008, Jesse Sheidlower wrote:
> >
> > >I've recently installed FreeBSD 7.0 on a new server. I seem to
> > >be unable to log in as root in any way, and I'm not sure why.
> > >Furthermore I'm now physically separate from the machine, and
> > >have been relying on a (non-computer-literate) colleague with
> > >access to its console server to try and help.
> > >
> > >After the initial install I (am pretty sure I) was able to log
> > >in as root over ssh. However, after a week when the machine
> > >was inaccessible for other reasons, I cannot log in as root,
> > >only as a normal user.
> > >
> > >I thought that I had perhaps mis-remembered the root password,
> > >so I directed the colleague to log in in single user mode and
> > >reset the root password; she was able to do this, and typed
> > >"exit" to return the system to multi-user mode and herself at
> > >a root prompt. However I was still not able to log in as root,
> > >either over ssh, or by logging in as a normal user and then
> > >typing "login root" (i.e. it wasn't just something preventing
> > >root logins over ssh).
> > >
> > >I then asked the colleague to add me to the "wheel" group,
> > >which she successfully did; I logged out and back in again,
> > >determined that I was indeed in this group, and tried to "su -"
> > >and got a "su: Sorry" message, with the colleague reporting
> > >that a "BAD SU [user] to root on /dev/ttyp0" message had
> > >appeared.
> > >
> > >I'm sort of at a loss for what to do or why this is happening,
> > >and am quite eager to control my own machine....Suggestions
> > >welcome.
> > >
> > >Thanks very much.
> > >
> > >Jesse Sheidlower
> >
> > I would have your helper log in as root and reboot the server.  This will
> > assure it is in multi-user.
> >
> > You should NOT be able to ssh in as root, unless you've opened up that
> > security hole which is not recommended.
>
>My helper did successfully log in as root over the console,
>and rebooted the server. However, all of my above problems are
>still the case: I cannot log in as root over ssh (OK, you
>addressed this), or by logging in as a regular user and doing
>a "login root"; and I cannot su to root even though I'm in the
>wheel group.
>
>When this is up and running I won't allow root logins at all,
>but my issue right now is that I'm not at the console and need
>to actually install things on the machine (sudo, for
>example...). So aside from being on the console, how _can_ I
>get this access on the machine?
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Jesse Sheidlower

Are you logging in as a regular user then trying to su to root?  If you 
are, what error are you getting?

When you first login type:
id
and verify you are in the wheel group.

         -Derek

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