when i type 'Sudo su' - "User not in the sudoers file.This incident will be reported"

[vishwanath18]

Hi all,

I am very new to the Ubuntu 12.10, I am facing a 2 basic problems,

1.when i type 'sudo su' in the command prompt, i am getting a Error Message as "User not in the sudoers file.This incident will be reported"
2. when i type 'visudo' i am getting "visudo: etc/sududoersermission Denied"

I tried lot of things to solve this issue but not succesfull

Could you anyone please help me out in this issue?

Regards,
Vishwa

[dabl]

Understanding that you are new to Ubuntu, what makes you think you need to do either one of those things? Those commands would not normally be used on a Ubuntu system, even by experienced users. With "sudo" you have the needed root privilege to do any operation on the system.

The errors are both attributable to a mis-match between the user name and the given password. When Ubuntu, was installed, the installing user gave a password -- that is the only password on the system that will alow a "sudo" operation, including opening visudo to change passwords. If you don't know the original password given during installation, then you will not be able to execute any "sudo" privileged command.

[matt_symes]

Hi

You should be able to fix this from a LiveCD.USB or from a root console after remounting it read/write.

But in the first instance, can you open a terminal and post the output of

groups

EDIT:

Have a good read of dabl's post first just to make sure you understand the basics - i see you are very new to Linux and Ubuntu - as i have assumed you have a problem and that may not necessarily be so.

Kind regards

[ManamiVixen]

By default on Ubuntu, Root "su" is disabled. All you really need is sudo as here is no need to run as root.

[matt_symes]

Hi

By default on Ubuntu, Root "su" is disabled. All you really need is sudo as here is no need to run as root.

I think the OP should be able to run sudo su though

matthew-S206:/usr/share/polkit-1/actions % sudo su 
[sudo] password for matthew: 
root@matthew-S206:/usr/share/polkit-1/actions#

This will get you to a root shell along with

matthew-S206:/usr/share/polkit-1/actions % sudo -i
root@matthew-S206:~# exit
logout
matthew-S206:/usr/share/polkit-1/actions %

...and some other variants.

But i do agree with you.

sudo <command>

is the preferred way to do it in Ubuntu.

For the OP:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

EDIT:

Actually, I use "sudo su" or "sudo -i" very frequently

If i have a large number of root commands that i need to type, i will also enter a root shell.

As long as you are careful then there should be no problem.

BTW: i colour my root shells as red and user shell as green so i know instantly in which shell i am in.

Less typing, so i agree with TheCog here.

Kind regards

[The Cog]

Actually, I use "sudo su" or "sudo -i" very frequently. And if you can't use those commands then there is something wrong with the system.

[grahammechanical]

Here is forum policy regarding this issue

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=716201

Note, that

visudo

may not be working because it should be

sudo visudo

Regards.

[matt_symes]

Hi

Here is forum policy regarding this issue

Just to be 100% clear for the OP, these guidelines are for logging into the root GUI and not entering a root shell.

Kind regards

[mharv]

Both sudo and su are insecure. I usually set root to only be accessible from direct login from a physical terminal and not have any users on the system that can su or sudo. And eliminate setuid permissions.

[haqking]

By default on Ubuntu, Root "su" is disabled. All you really need is sudo as here is no need to run as root.

so as to not confuse the OP, "su" and root are not the same thing. Which is how i read your statement.

if you do not specify a username with "su" then it defaults to the root account, however it means "substitute user" and can and is used to switch user account privelege whether root or not.

Peace