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Operating Systems Linux Unable to Lock User
# 1  
Old 06-05-2008
Unable to Lock User
Hi,

I am trying to lock a user by executing "passwd -l xxxx" but the system is returning following error:

Locking password for user xxxx.
passwd: Error (password not set?)

I do see the passwd for this user encrypted in shadow file thou! Anyone have any ideas why am getting this error?

Help is appreciated greatly!!
# 2  
Old 06-05-2008
To have some more information would be helpful.
Code:
ls -ld /etc/passwd /etc/shadow
grep $user /etc/passwd /etc/shadow

# 3  
Old 06-05-2008
Manually hacked the shadow file
fabtagon....thanks for your quick reply. I had to manually hack the shadow file to lock the user.
The user exists in passwd and shadwo file but am not sure why it gave me an error on passwd -l xxxx. It was kind of urgent but I took care of it the hard way. I still wonder why my command failed.

I appreciate your help and quick response.
# 4  
Old 06-05-2008
whats the output of passwd -sa
did u try: passwd xxxx ->chg password
then followed by passwd -l xxx
# 5  
Old 06-06-2008
Another option would be to remove the user from the shadow file and run pwconv
# 6  
Old 06-06-2008
I used traditional method i.e put * alongwith password in shadow file. It took care of my problem. I just tried littl harder not smarter this time. I don't know why "passwd -l xxx" didn't work. May be it has something to do with NIS! I don't know
But I appreciate you everyone who have came to my rescue with vaulable ideas.
As always you guys/gals ROCK!!
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