Can't save config file changes.

[davidblaine]

I'm trying to set up samba sharing and edit the samba.conf file. I keep getting an error message saying I don't have permission to save the file.

I probably screwed something up. I went into terminal and typed the command sudo su, so I was in root, but that didn't help. I still get the same message when trying to save changes. All I'm trying to do is change the line that says "security=users" to "security=share" but I can't.

Anyone have any idea why I might not be able to do this now? Thanks in advance.

You're help in this forum is tremendous. It's a steep learning curve, but worth it I think.

[Fornhamfred]

David

The file you are trying to edit is a root file and there are two ways to edit it. The terminal way is if you have a root password type su, type in password, then at the root prompt type gedit and the editor will open. Open root directory and find the etc directory and then samba and samba.conf. You can then edit the file and save.
Alternately using the gui method, log out of user and open a new session as root, then with the nautilus find the file and edit it. Finally log back in as user.

Hope you can follow this.

Fred

[MagnusB]

Root account is disabled by default unless you activated it. So you have to use (in terminal):

Code: Select all

sudo gedit /path/to/file

[davidblaine]

Damn, that worked slicker than snot. And I googled for an hour trying to find the answer to that!

You guys are better than good!

BTW, I used the last method, sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf

Thanks much!

[MagnusB]

Yeah, I do not recommend opening a root filemanager, just makes more sense to just open the file as root. Glad you found the solution, these things are so basic many people forget to include it, and it can be damned hard to understand if you are a newbie (I know I had some issues with this)