Can't log in as root on new 7.0 install

[Derek Ragona]

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.

         -Derek

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