Why does terminal refuses my password, when I am the root user?

Question

Why does terminal refuses my password, when I am the root user?

I am trying to flush my DNSREsponder cache but no matter what terminal always asks for my passwprd but gives no chance to do so by "freezing up"?

Iy should be like so:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder after giving this command, ternibal asks for my password abd noothing happensI should be able to type my root user password sudo password rootuser

but nothing can be typed in, seems that terminal acts like an insolent teenager scratching its butt and picking its nose!

This is really starting to tork me off !

Thanks for any advice or help

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 4Gbs of memory

Posted on Mar 15, 2013 8:01 AM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,933 points

Mar 16, 2013 8:00 AM in response to SteadyRollingMan

OS X: How to reset the DNS cache

<https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5343>

You need to be logged in the Admin user. If you are the ONLY account on the system, then you are the Admin user.

sudo will prompt for your Admin password (NOT the root password).

sudo's password prompt will not echo anything you type until you enter <RETURN>, then it will move to the next line. It see very password character you type.

Side note: the Mac OS X root account password is disabled by default, as actually logging in as root is almost never needed, since the 'sudo' command can grant root privileges on a command by command basis. While it is possible to give the root account a password, it is not something that should be done lightly, and only by experienced long time Unix command line users, and even then it is of questionable value, since the 'sudo' command can basically give those long time Unix users everything they want with out making it easier for hackers to attack their system via an eabled root account.

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Mar 15, 2013 8:10 AM in response to SteadyRollingMan

Are you aware that the Terminal will not display anything when you are typing your password? Many people believe that it has "frozen" at this point, but it's actually paying full attention to what you type. Just type your admin password and press return.

If you're already aware of that and are seeing something different, you'll probably need to clarify. For example, are you actually logged in as root, or are you calling your admin user account "root" incorrectly?

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Answer 3

Mar 15, 2013 6:48 PM in response to SteadyRollingMan

Thanks I did not know this, it mighy be the answer to my question!

I tried that after posting this, but it just gave a "command not found" and then it logged out ! Which is more of a reaction because before it just kept asking for the password. I do not know if I am logged in as root but I am the only one who uses the computer! I guess that I need to invoke the root user.

Thanks anyway!

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Answer 4

Mar 15, 2013 7:01 PM in response to SteadyRollingMan

Trying to see the man pages and refresh my memory!

in Terminal under help there are three choices

1. Terminal help

2. Open man Page for Selection

3. Search man Page Index for Selection

On #2 : I get a page and this:

No manual entry for \$

[Process completed]

I type, the cursor does nothing and nothing happens

On #3 again nothing happens:

not executing command:

/unsafe/

[Process completed]

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Answer 5

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Mar 15, 2013 7:21 PM in response to SteadyRollingMan

I'm not able to get a good picture of exactly what you're doing and how it's not working.

What is the underlying problem are you trying to solve? I don't recommend poking around in the Terminal unless you know exactly what you're doing, and flushing your DNS cache is not something that most users will ever need to do.

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