Convert Multi-user installation to Single-user

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Convert Multi-user installation to Single-user
started by: PastorEd

Posted by PastorEd on Jan. 20 2006,20:15

Hello, everyone!

I have used DSL as the base install for my daughters' computers. Unfortunately, when I did the install, I set them up to be "multi-user" logins... and I now realize that I ONLY want them to boot up directly into X as the DSL user.

How do I convert a multi-user HD installation into a single-user installation that boots directly into X?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 20 2006,21:20

I can only say what is in a liveCD/frugal system, but this info can probably be used to at least give you a clue where to look.

There are two versions of /etc/inittab, one for a default liveCD/frugal/embedded system, and one for multiuser. In my system, the multiuser file (which is not used) is named /etc/inittab.multi. I assume this is /etc/inittab in your system. In case the single-user inittab is no longer on your system, this is it:

Code Sample

# /etc/inittab: init(8) configuration.

id:5:initdefault:

si::sysinit:/etc/init.d/rcS

~~:S:respawn:/bin/bash -login >/dev/tty1 2>&1 </dev/tty1

l0:0:wait:/etc/init.d/knoppix-halt
l1:1:wait:/etc/init.d/rc 1
l2:2:wait:/etc/init.d/rc 2
l3:3:wait:/etc/init.d/rc 3
l4:4:wait:/etc/init.d/rc 4
l5:5:wait:/etc/init.d/rc 5
l6:6:wait:/etc/init.d/knoppix-reboot

ca::ctrlaltdel:/etc/init 0

kb::kbrequest:/bin/echo "Keyboard Request -- edit /etc/inittab to let this work."

pf::powerwait:/etc/init.d/powerfail start
pn::powerfailnow:/etc/init.d/powerfail now
po::powerokwait:/etc/init.d/powerfail stop

1:12345:respawn:/bin/bash -login >/dev/tty1 2>&1 </dev/tty1
2:234:respawn:/bin/bash -login >/dev/tty2 2>&1 </dev/tty2
3:234:respawn:/bin/bash -login >/dev/tty3 2>&1 </dev/tty3
4:234:respawn:/bin/bash -login >/dev/tty4 2>&1 </dev/tty4

You might also need to change /.bash_profile (NOT /home/dsl/.bash_profile) to log in dsl automatically:

Code Sample

#!/bin/bash
RUNLEVEL=`runlevel|cut -f2 -d' '`
if [ $RUNLEVEL -eq 5 ]; then
if egrep -q _install_ /proc/cmdline 2>/dev/null; then
cd /var/tmp
dslinstall
else
export HOME=/home/dsl
cd $HOME
while [ 1 ]; do
su - dsl
done
fi
fi

and edit /home/dsl/.bash_profile to automaticially send you into X:

Code Sample

#!/bin/bash
export IRCNICK=DSL
SSH=`env | grep SSH_CONNECTION`
RUNLEVEL=`runlevel|cut -f2 -d' '`
if [ -z "$SSH" ]; then
if [ $RUNLEVEL -eq 5 ]; then
startx
fi
fi

I can't guarantee that this is all that is necessary, but i can't think of anything else.

Posted by 1nt3rfe4r on Jan. 26 2006,00:39

I'm having the same difficulties as PastorEd, and I was wondering if this problem had been solved yet....

I also installed the multi-user DSL on my harddrive, and I got everything set up just the way i want it (webserver, ftp, ssh, VNC, edna etc), except for this one thing!

I tried rewriting the /etc/inittab, the .bash_profile at the system root and the .bash_profile in the user dir as stated above... but still i get prompted for username/pass at boot

I have to add to this that I've only been using 'linux' for about 4 days now (and im not english), so please don't get all technical on me :laugh:

Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 26 2006,02:58

I've never tried this, but i think you can use "passwd -d" to delete your password.

Posted by 1nt3rfe4r on Jan. 26 2006,10:54

Quote (mikshaw @ Jan. 25 2006,21:58)

I've never tried this, but i think you can use "passwd -d" to delete your password.

Well, at least half of my problem is gone now (I only get prompted for username)! Thats a start!

Now all I have to do is find some kind of way for the system to enter those 3 letters at boot (no more need for storing any password). Is there any way to do something like that without going through all the troubles of installing a new graphical GNOME like login.. erm.. thing (if thats even possible on DSL that is)?

One funny thing to however is that after deleting the pass on an account (like I did on my dsl account) it's not possible anymore to switch to that user from another non-root account..... after typing 'su dsl' you for some reason DO get prompted for a password (the non-existing one) and no matter what you fill in there (be it nothing, the old password or the root password) you will get one big 'su: Authentication failure, sorry' error. I can still get back on the dsl account by first switching to the root account, and after that switching to the dsl account (and then needing no password of course)....... that's a bit odd right?

By the way, isnt there an easy way to backup the entire system setup to another pc or CD or whatever so I can try to do a single-user HDD setup to see how that accomplishes the automated login?

Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 26 2006,16:26

Are you booting into runlevel 5?
If the above files are changed properly, I was guessing that it would automatically log dsl in after boot process completed.

As far as I can tell, there must be something else that is changed from the default system when doing a traditional HD install.

Keep in mind that my suggestions here are only suggestions, and not step-by-step instructions (note the disclaimer in each of my posts). You're free to interpret what i say any way you like, but i won't be held responsible for killing your system. As with anything, the safest course of action is usually a reinstall, and trying unproven theories can easily lead to destruction.

Posted by 1nt3rfe4r on Jan. 26 2006,16:36

Quote (mikshaw @ Jan. 26 2006,11:26)

I completely understand that if i break something that its my fault.... But i simply do not have enough know-how to fix this kind of thing myself, so i just try some things i read and hope it helps... And if not, well, too bad.

And... erm.... i have absolutely no idea what a 'runlevel' is, so i guess ill google around until i do know! :cool:

Thanks!

Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 26 2006,16:45

The easiest way to tell is to look at the screen during boot. Just before you get the login prompt, it should say something like "Entering runlevel 5". This is the only runlevel that will automatically log in dsl using the default setup.

I was hoping that you would at least be automatically logged in as root, which now makes me wonder if there is some other thing in the init process that is altered when doing a multi-user HD install, maybe something in /etc/init.d/rc5.d.

If other changes can't be found, perhaps a command could be added to the end of /opt/bootlocal.sh:

Code Sample

source /.bash_profile

As with the others, i don't know if this will work, but it seems like it would force /.bash_profile to be run, which would log you in as dsl.

Posted by 1nt3rfe4r on Jan. 26 2006,18:56

Quote (mikshaw @ Jan. 26 2006,11:45)

If other changes can't be found, perhaps a command could be added to the end of /opt/bootlocal.sh:

Code Sample

source /.bash_profile

That won't be necessary, and you are now officially allowed to shoot me....

For some reason the modifications I made to /etc/inittab had not been saved... maybe its got something to do with the fact that the DSL-user acc still had a password when i tried that, or (more likely) i just pushed some wrong button

Anyways, now that the password is removed and the 3 files are modified in the exact way you posted before the computer boots directly into X, no questions asked!

And for good measure, my system was at runlevel 5 when it prompted me for the username, the problem was probably just in my inittab file.

Thanks a million! My problem has been solved :laugh:

Posted by IT WORKS!!! on Mar. 10 2006,18:41

Thanks. It works.
Here is the solution:

remove the password for dsl with passwd -d

put source/.bash_profile in the /opt/bootlocal.sh

make sure /etc/inittab is set to id:5:initdefault:

Thanks to everyone.

ken

Posted by czadczad on Jan. 21 2007,11:14

Thank you very much. It works perfectly!
But for me

Code Sample

echo source /.bash_profile >> /opt/bootlocal.sh

is more comfortable than doing this under mc

Big hello from Poland and thx once again for solution!