Root! Root! Root!

[gary hypes]

I'm encountering what appears to be a weird problem with 'root' user.

When I installed Ubuntu, as I recall, it didn't allow me to configure
a 'root' user/password. All I created was a single personal username
and password.

Now, when I try using functionality that requires root authority, I
can run the 'root terminal' and it accepts the same password I use for
my personal username. HOWEVER: if I try logging in as 'root' directly,
it refuses to accept the same password.

Have I missed something?

My secondary problem: the reason for playing around in root is that I
mis-configured my ethernet card and I need to change it -- but the
network config app won't let me change the configuration without root
privileges, and I haven't figured out how to launch the network config
app from within the root terminal..

Any help appreciated. (Currently emailing from Windows.)

ghypes at gmail.com