what happened to root login access

I just (inadvertently) loaded an Ubuntu login screen (and lots more) when doing a repository upgrade. Sort of didn't mean to do this but this is all kind of cool stuff -- however a couple of nagging "upgrades" immediately sprang to the fore.....

The login screen won't allow root logins, which is really inconvenient during development. Anyone know how to (a)alow root to login on this screen otr (b) a way to roll back the old Debian screen? Or is there some easy way to allow root access throughout (I can su but can't use most editors to change config files, fstab, etc..)

Also, the kwikdisk interface appears to have changed to a system panel setup that is not as useful as the old one, where you could mount/unmount with a right click. Is there a conf file to alter this backwards, or load the "old" style disk table?

Hot tip of the day -- I found that a Dell laser printer (3100cn), for which no driver is available in linux, works very nicely with the Lexmark Optra Color 1200 Foomatic driver.....