Re: SU error

[Ted Hilts <thilts33@telus.net>]

Jake & Betty Kraayenbrink wrote:
> I installed debian from the live knoppix CD it’s version 5.1. It works 
> great, but I do have trouble when I try to run any thing that needs 
> administrator privileges. When I click on something say to configure 
> my printer I get this message “Su returned with an error”. If someone 
> know what I can do that would be great. Thanks

It sounds to me like you installed a desktop. Drop out of desktop mode 
and (using the printer example) check to see if the normal printer 
commands were loaded. Look up the commands in "man" page so you can see 
the options and try them from the command line. It may be that you were 
not in administrator mode when you downloaded using Knoppix. If the 
commands were installed and do not work -- that is you continue to get 
this error message then check out the permissions. Use ls -l 
path-to-the-command to see if the permissions make sense. For example, 
the printer commands should be executable and that sort of thing. If the 
commands seem to have the right "user" and "permissions" it means 
everything installed okay but if the commands are not there then the 
problem is you need to reinstall and if the commands are there and not 
working you may need to use chown to the correct owner and perhaps chmod 
for the correct permissions. Check "man" pages for use of chown and 
chmod. Just play with one group of commands such as the printer group 
and begin with just one of the commands. If you think the issue is 
permission or ownership try root if it shows something else or something 
else if it shows root. I am assming you understand these concepts. If 
not you will require more detailed help than I am providing. You may 
also have to check to verify if the group and password files are 
functional on your system. Again, I assume you know where to look and 
what to look for.

That's only an overview. Once you have made some checks as explained you 
will then be in a better position to address details and you can get 
more detailed help at that time from others on the group that are more 
familiar with the Debian file layout and computing architecture.

Hope this will help you get started on your problem. I have been 
watching the list very carefully and there are many people working 
together to help those in technical need.

Ted