software upgrade requires root?

[holzpusher]

I would like to install new software using the Ubuntu Software Center, but when I try, it asks for the root password. I didn't create any root ID because people told me it's a security risk. Why is it asking for root access? I don't know the password!

[mkvnmtr]

If you installed the system type your password.

[Dayofswords]

its the password you made when you installed it

[oldfred]

It is your password. You are the administrator so it will ask for your passwork. Or if doing anything from the command line you have to preface it with sudo and then it will ask for your password.

http://xkcd.com/149/

[holzpusher]

Thanks but I tried that, it doesn"t work. Further investigation reveals that the "main" ID I use is no longer in the sudoers file. I don't know how that happened, I certainly didn't remove it. I may now be SOL since I don't have any other ID with permissions to add to the sudoers file.

[holzpusher]

It is your password. You are the administrator so it will ask for your passwork. Or if doing anything from the command line you have to preface it with sudo and then it will ask for your password.

http://xkcd.com/149/


Thanks fo rthe suggestion but I already tried that. Further investigation reveals that the "main" ID I use is no longer in the sudoers file. I don't know how that happened, I certainly didn't remove it. I may now be up the creek without a paddle since I don't have any other ID with permissions to add me back into the sudoers file.

[oldfred]

This site has lots of good info:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/resetpassword

[P4man]

I think this is the link oldfred wanted to post:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/fixsudo

explains how to fix sudo.

[holzpusher]

Thanks for all the help, I'm a sudoer once again!