[SOLVED] Authentication Required on Boot

[StevePirateX]

Hi,

I'm using Linux Mint 20.1 with Cinnamon and have recently started getting the "Authentication Required" pop-up on boot. My system doesn't have a login screen to enter a password when I turn it on and it didn't do this in the past. I suspect it might be an application I have installed recently.

Is there a way to track down what application or process is asking for root credentials? - Whether this be in a command but also a log file of when applications want elevated permissions with the root password?

Thanks

[spamegg]

Look at Passwords and Keys

Click on "Login" to see what's there

[dave0808]

It depends on where/when in the boot process you are being prompted. If the desktop has been started, then you should be able to switch to a command line login by pressing Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or any up to F6). To switch back to the desktop, use Ctrl-Alt-F7. After you switch, there may be a short pause (a few seconds) before you get a login prompt, for example:-

Code: Select all

Linux Mint 20.1 Ulyssa hostname tty1
hostname login:

At this point your normal username and password should log you in and you can examine the list of processes.

If you can't get to that then perhaps something is interrupting the boot before the desktop starts. The only thing I've seen before that does this is when you have an encrypted partition (LUKS) and the boot process requires that it be unlocked before continuing. It should say something like "Password required for sda4" or similar (I forget the exact words).

Another option could be a web server that requires a password to unlock a key for TLS/SSL, though I've not seen this prompt during boot personally, my only experience is with Apache.

Otherwise, can you post a screenshot / camera photo?

[opjose]

It is likely the keyring manager asking for authentication.

[StevePirateX]

Thanks for this - all fixed

You were right that it was the login section in the keyring manager. Upon closer inspection of the Authentication Required it did mention the keyring manager. I removed some of the passwords that I didn't need. Although it still comes up when I open up Spotify as it is a password protected account I understand this is a security measure. I have a clean desktop on boot up now.