HD Install :: Convert Multi-user installation to Single-user

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.

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.

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:

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

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?

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