IBM Support

Using the sudo command to run Installation Manager as root fails

Troubleshooting


Problem

You install or start IBM Installation Manager with the sudo command. You receive an error after running the command.

Symptom

You run one of the following commands:
$sudo ./install
$sudo ./IBMIM


And receive error output like:

(IBMIM:13302): Gdk-CRITICAL **: gdk_window_set_keep_above: assertion `GDK_IS_WINDOW (window)' failed
(IBMIM:13302): Gdk-CRITICAL **: gdk_window_set_keep_below: assertion `GDK_IS_WINDOW (window)' failed
(IBMIM:13302): Gdk-CRITICAL **: gdk_window_set_keep_below: assertion `GDK_IS_WINDOW (window)' failed
(IBMIM:13302): Gdk-CRITICAL **: gdk_window_show: assertion `GDK_IS_WINDOW (window)' failed
(IBMIM:13302): Gtk-WARNING **: Screen for GtkWindow not set; you must always set
a screen for a GtkWindow before using the window
(IBMIM:13302): Gdk-CRITICAL **: gdk_window_withdraw: assertion `GDK_IS_WINDOW (window)' failed
...
...

Cause

The errors are caused by specifics of the sudo command.

For example, on some operating systems the environment variables LD_*, LDR_*, LIBPATH, SHLIB_PATH and other variables that control dynamic linking are removed from the environment before execution begins for security reasons. As a result, some dynamic libraries are unreachable.

Resolving The Problem

To work around this issue:

1. Log in as root to install Installation Manager in administrator mode.

2. On some operating systems, you can switch to the root account using the sudo command:


$sudo su#

After switching to the root account, the missing environment variables mentioned above might be restored and the Installation Manager installation command works:


#./install

For more details about specific operation systems refer to the sudo man pages:


$man sudo

[{"Product":{"code":"SSDV2W","label":"IBM Installation Manager"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"General information","Platform":[{"code":"PF002","label":"AIX"},{"code":"PF010","label":"HP-UX"},{"code":"PF016","label":"Linux"},{"code":"PF027","label":"Solaris"}],"Version":"1.2.1;1.3;1.3.1;1.3.2;1.3.3;1.3.4;1.3.4.1;1.4","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
25 October 2021

UID

swg21439898