Help! passwd file corrupted

Tony Montana · #1 (**permalink**) 05-21-2005

Hi,

I am new to UNIX, and have recently installed Suse 9.3. I have been experimenting with all of the commands and have somehow managed to modify the default shell of the root user to an invalid file. Consequently I cannot su to the root user as I receive the 'no such file or directory' error message.

I have attempted to use the rescue facility by booting from the installation CD, however it seems that the files that load appear to be from ramdisk. I have tried to mount various other devices without being able to locate the file in question to modify it.

If anyone has any solutions/experience/ideas I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

zazzybob · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2005

Linux has a -s switch to su to run the specified shell (if it's in /etc/shells)

Try

su -s /bin/bash root

and see where that gets you. You should then be able to vi /etc/passwd and fix it up.

Cheers
ZB

Tony Montana · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2005

ZB,

Cheers, got it working. Funny though, I actually tried that ealier and I got a different error message.

Many thanks.

PS Loving your picture by the way, absolutely hilarious. Suggested caption: "stop it, it's dirty!"

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
may a corrupted .gz file be repaired?	JohnTinker	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	3	03-19-2008 03:03 PM
Could be a corrupted file?	kaugrs	HP-UX	1	01-16-2008 12:22 PM
passwd file corrupted	cantona7	HP-UX	10	03-21-2005 03:06 PM
detecting corrupted file	starless	Shell Programming and Scripting	6	09-24-2003 10:03 PM
corrupted tar file	klintsovi	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	1	07-21-2001 09:50 AM

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:


	Powered by