Tip 6: Root account
 
Follow the directions below to enable the root user. As of release 10.2, if you want to log in as root through the graphical interface (after enabling the root user as per below), go to the System Preferences--->System--->Accounts--->Login Window tab, and check the radio button "List of users' or "Name and password. Here's how mine looks:
 
  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. type sudo /bin/tcsh.
  3. enter your user password (not the root password, which you haven't set yet).
  4. type passwd root.
  5. enter the password you want to use for root.
  6. you can now use your root account as you normally would, i.e, from a login window, or by typing su root in a terminal window
Another way to do it is via the NetInfo util, you can find documentation here.
Note: logging in as root account can compromise your security in some situations. Use sudo instead where possible, and don't stay logged in as root longer then you need to.
Last update 09-30-02