Ubuntu (A Linix OS) terminal wont let me login to su (or Superuser)

ivywan

New Member
bassically what i see

[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$
now i am typing the correct superpassword into the terminal, nothing shows up, nothing happens

could i get a little help on this.
 
Actually, that is fine. When you type the password, nothing is supposed to show up, but it is still going in. Just type the password and hit enter. As long as you type it right, that is fine. (I had the same problem I thought, the first time I installed a Linux OS.)
 
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
[username]@ubuntu:~$ su
Password:[ I type my pass here but nothing shows up]
su:authentication failure
Really this is what my terminal looks like.
 
The password won't show up. That is just how it is. It is the same with Linux and Macs, when typing in the administrative password, you think nothing is going in.

Again: Have you tried not typing anything? Are you sure that you have the correct password?

Also, try using sudo instead of su, that may work.
 
Last edited:
Yes i have tried nothing and i believe i have the correct password

Ok, I have an install of Ubuntu. I just tried the su command, and had the same thing. I know my password, I have no idea what is up. I will research and see what I can find.

EDIT- Ok, with Ubuntu, you aren't supposed to use su. I never did for anything I did. Use sudo instead, which still gives you root privileges.
 
Last edited:
ok now that i have sorta solved that problem.

im trying to install java on ubuntu and im having a little trouble intalling it.
 
If you are trying to install the jdk you can just go to your synaptic package manager and type in jdk. I think that version 18 is the one that will come up with Ubuntu 10.4.
 
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