Live CD Mode
* what is the root-password on the KANOTIX-LiveCD?
* Unionfs - or how to install software in live mode
* How to write on NTFS-partitions?
What is the root-password on the KANOTIX-LiveCD?
Please note: Whenever you execute something with root permissions, you should know what you are doing!
For web surfing over LAN no root access is required.
On the Kanotix LiveCD no root password is set.
If you want to run a program that requires root-privileges you have several choices:
-
To set a (temporary) root-password:
. Open a console/ shell:
knoppix@0[knoppix]$ sudo passwd
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfully
knoppix@0[knoppix]$
!remark for newcomers:! the cursor does not move or blink while you are typing a character of the password.
but the password is being written
- you can use this password for the rest of your Kanotix-Live-session.
-
Run the program with sudo or kanotix-su:
Press Alt + F2, and enter "sudo" in front of your desired program, e.g.: sudo qtparted
-
Run the program from a root-shell:
. Open a console/ shell:
knoppix@0[knoppix]$ su
root@0[knoppix]# qtparted (or whatever you want...)
Unionfs - or how to install software in live mode
Unionfs is an overlay filesystem which makes it possible to use apt-get live or install nvidia or radeon drivers in live mode. Kanotix's nvidia/radeon scripts detect the live mode and activate unionfs if needed. Otherwise, the way to enable unionfs is simply to type this cheatcode on the boot command line:
By using this cheatcode, file changes will be stored at /tmp/unionfs (which will be lost after poweroff).
If you do not use the cheatcode at bootup time, you can still activate unionfs in live mode by opening a shell and running fix-unionfs:
knoppix@0[knoppix]$ sudo fix-unionfs
Activating Unionfs now.
Now you could use apt-get to install additional software:
knoppix@0[knoppix]$ su
root@0[knoppix]# apt-get update
(...)
root@0[knoppix]# apt-get install kdegames
There exists two additional options to make a more permanent unionfs: unionrw and unionro. The first can be created with this cheatcode:
The unionrw cheat can be used in several ways:
- Point to a partition on the hard drive
- Point to a loop file (like an ext2? loopback file)
- Point to a directory
All three ways work to permanently store changes to a drive you designate - if you always use the same cheatcode you can have custom program selection at the place given by the user. This does not store the /home directly, you have to use the home cheat for that.
As already mentioned, there is a third cheatcode:
This is basically like unionrw, but you are not able to overwrite files in the place where you've stored them. However you could combine a new unionrw and the unionro cheatcode at the same time. Not everyone will find this useful, but remember, this is all experimental. Note that none of these cheatcodes are mentioned in the help file that is visible when you press F1 when booting Kanotix.
How to write on NTFS-partitions?
Be warned: ntfs-3g is an early beta driver, so never use it without external backup, and of course not on production systems! If you do, it's your fault if your data gets lost, so use at your own risk!
The link for ntfs-3g is LiveCD is here (scroll down)
http://kanotix.com/index.php?module=pnWikka&tag=WriteNTFS∞
The first 3 days in Linux of a Windows user
Reasoning
The idea here is to have a document which explains to Linux beginners what mishaps they usually run into again and again. It expands on the contribution of Linux for converts, in which the meaning of things in Linux is explained in bold and simple terms.
Here's the deal
>- Commands, which are to be entered in a terminal, are written in
>- If Kano or someone else throw at you a line of confusing text, which does
not look like normal language, use it with a "Terminal - the command line interface window".
Day 1 - Live Mode, starting with the CD
First, you burn a CD, put it in the PC, reboot and things should work!
But: The computer boots the old operating system, doesn't boot, doesn't boot properly or it freezes on you. Bummer, you say.
Often the solution is more simple than you thinks. Different errors could have happened!
Is booting from CD enabled in the Bios? If not, then don't be surprised that Windows continues to boot.
Maybe the CD was not burned properly?
In fact, you have the interesting possibility to test at boot.When the picture of the GRUB boot manager appears, press on the
space bar first, that will end the countdown. Then there is the option (it's at the bottom edge of the screen) to press different F-keys or to scroll through a menu with the
arrow keys. In this case you scroll with the
Arrow Keys until you get to
extra menu English and then press
Enter. Now scroll down in the menu until you reach to the
Examine CD line. If you get the message that the CD is in order, you are a step further, and you know then it is because of your hardware.
So where are the other 2 days?