Using Application Launcher to Start Root Program

[tmort]

I have a program that requires root privileges to run. It works properly if I select it through the file system. I will only use it from time to time and I would like to create an application launcher for it. If I select the program through the properties setting of application launcher I wind up having to relog in and the program doesn't run. I have also created a shell script (with root privileges to all) with the path to the file and the same thing happens. The script is:

/home/car/ScanTool.exe

I'm getting these results while logged in as root.

Can I use application launcher to run this app? and how?

Thanks

[lazlow]

A linux program that is a .exe?

[tmort]

The code is written for windows but was compiled from source for linux. I just haven't bothered changing the file name from what it created

[RJFUatHOME]

You could try something along the lines of:

su - --command="/path/programname"

as the command.

It should prompt you for the root password in the default terminal and then run the program. The terminal windows will stay open, but it's quite usefull for seeing program errors and such.

[tmort]

Thanks.

When I try this I get a "failed to execute child process" error and Permission denied if I have it set to run as an application.

I I have it set to run in terminal I get a message saying that there was an error creating the child process for this terminal.

As root a have given permissions to all to read and right the script and I get this even if I'm logged in as root.

[lazlow]

It MIGHT have something to do with running the program in a users home rather than in a general access directory.

[Seve]

Hello:
You could create a small file and name it startyourapp
and then add to the startyourapp

PHP Code:

#!/bin/bash

cd /path/toyour/app
su - 
[I]yourexecutable[/I] 


Then to test, double click on the the startyourapp file and select run and it should prompt you for the password.

Seve

[lmo]

Maybe can do something like xterm -e su -c command
as in:

xterm -e su -c 'read -p What_for: foo; ls $foo;read -p Hit_enter foo'

And what is userhelper? Does that work for this?

[tmort]

I tried:

#!/bin/bash

cd /path/toyour/app
su -
yourexecutable

and it wants to start Crossover Office to run a Windows program.

I also tried removing the exe file extension and still got the same result

I see the open with properties have crossover office and wine listed. I guess this may be the result of having the exe extension.

I removed the exe extension but delete is greyed out when I try to remove the association.


I can't follow the

xterm -e su -c 'read -p What_for: foo; ls $foo;read -p Hit_enter foo'

suggestion

[leadgolem]

I had a similiar issue with another app. I don't know about the file association, but this is the script I used to launch my app. I pointed the .desktop launcher at this script.

#!/bin/bash
if [ ! $( id -u ) -eq 0 ]; then
	zenity --info \
	--title='esg_dump requires admin priveledges.' \
	--text "In order to function properly esg_dump requires root privileges.  Please enter your root password in the following prompt."
	xterm -e su -c 'ps2'
exit ${?}
else
	/usr/local/bin/ps2
fi

exit

This is the same kind of strategy that Imo proposed.

EDIT: Check if you are already root. If not, tell the user why/what we need. The important line.

[leadgolem]

Another option would be to use console helper. Take a look at the discussion regarding it in this thread.

EDIT: I have been thinking about doing this for a while now, so I decided to make a rpm for the root-sh/consolehelper solutions proposed by alfal in above link. See attached archive.

[tmort]

I tried both of the suggested methods. The program starts to open and then the screen goes black and I to re-log in. This is what was happening before when I tried to use application launcher rather than nautilus

[leadgolem]

Could you post the contents of the .desktop file you created as the launcher?

[tmort]

I've been away for a few days. Here it is:

/usr/bin/root-sh -c "/home/tmort/car2/ScanTool"

[leadgolem]

Is that the entire contents? If so, you are missing a few things. Here is an example.

Originally Posted by scantool.desktop

Encoding=UTF-8
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=/usr/bin/root-sh -c "/home/tmort/car2/ScanTool"
Path=/home/tmort/car2
Categories=GNOME;Application;System;X-Fedora;
Name=ScanTool
Icon=scantool