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Problems with a .sh file in cron

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Operating Systems Linux Ubuntu Problems with a .sh file in cron
# 1  
Old 11-26-2011
Error Problems with a .sh file in cron
Hi guys. This is my first post so bear with me.

I'm trying to get cron to run a shell script in my home directory (/home/server) that checks the temperature of my HDD. The script works fine, however I can't run it in cron. I've checked the syslog and I have only seen two errors:
- Exited with error number 127
- Exited with error number 1

I really need a simple guide showing me how to run a shell file from cron, as I've been searching for absolutely ages and I haven't found one tutorial on it.

Do I have to put .sh, or just the script name? I'm really confused... Smilie
# 2  
Old 11-26-2011
And how do you launch your script in cron?
Most certainly if you execute your script in interactive mode runs fine, but not when executed by cron, you have to look at your environment!
Something set in your profile that cron ignores...
# 3  
Old 11-26-2011
Well, I have heard a lot about the environments. I usually run the script using 'bash tempcheck.sh'. The script is:

Code:
#!/bin/bash

TEMP=$(/usr/sbin/hddtemp /dev/sda | cut -d: -f3 | sed 's/..$//' | sed 's/ //')
echo $(date '+DATE: %m/%d/%y  TIME:%H:%M:%S') - Temperature was: $TEMP >> templog.txt
if [ $TEMP -ge 50 ]; then
poweroff
fi

I also have the SHELL, MAILTO, HOME and PATH variables set in the crontab file:

Code:
SHELL=/bin/bash
PATH=/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
MAILTO=root
HOME=/home/server

And I was trying to run the script like so:
Code:
*/20 * * * * root /home/server/tempcheck.sh

or...
Code:
*/20 * * * * root /home/server/tempcheck

# 4  
Old 11-26-2011
The full error message should be in unix mail for the owner of the cron.

File extensions have no meaning in unix (beyond being documentary). You always specify the exact name of the script.

The script itself must be set executable.
Please post "ls -lad yourscriptname" so we can check the basics.

I can see some issues with the script where full pathnames will be required (e.g. poweroff and templog.txt).
Stongly advise you turn the "poweroff" line into an echo while you are testing the script.

I believe that $TEMP is a reserved variable. Maybe change it to ${TEMPERATURE} .
Last edited by methyl; 11-26-2011 at 08:31 AM..
# 5  
Old 11-26-2011
I do set all my files to 777 so my game server don't have problems with permissions etc. I have done ls on the script and it came back with the following:
Code:
-rwxrwxrwx 1 777 root 216 2011-11-22 17:14 tempcheck.sh

I will also change the $TEMP variable in the script. Where do I read/change the mail setting as I have no idea where it's going. Does it actually mean 'mail' (email) or is it just a log? Also, what full path would I specify with poweroff and hddtemp?


EDIT:
I've also amended the script and crontab file:

tempcheck.sh
Code:
#!/bin/bash

TEMPERATURE=$(/usr/sbin/hddtemp /dev/sda | cut -d: -f3 | sed 's/..$//' | sed 's/ //')
echo $(date '+DATE: %m/%d/%y  TIME:%H:%M:%S') - Temperature was: $TEMPERATURE >> templog.txt
if [ $TEMPERATURE -ge 50 ]; then
poweroff
fi

crontab file:
Code:
*/20 * * * * root /home/server/tempcheck >> /home/server/cronlog.txt

# 6  
Old 11-26-2011
Do you get anything in templog.txt ? Did you find any errors in root mail?
# 7  
Old 11-26-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by methyl
Do you get anything in templog.txt ? Did you find any errors in root mail?
I will check templog now, but, what is and how do I set the mail setting? I mean, what is root mail and where is it?

EDIT:
There's nothing in my cronlog.txt file or templog.txt, although in /var/log/syslog there are multiple errors like:
Code:
(server) CMD (root /home/server/tempcheck >> /home/server/cronlog.txt)
(CRON) error (grandchild #15590 failed with exit status 127)
(CRON) info (No MTA installed, discarding output)

Last edited by Rautoner; 11-26-2011 at 11:37 AM..
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