Corrupt: No utmp entry : exec(login) from the lowest level (sh)
DocId: UCMDSKBRC00009426   Updated: 4/8/02 2:50:00 PM
PROBLEM

No utmp entry. You must exec(login) from the lowest level (sh).

By trying to clear the /etc/utmp file, it allows me to login once, but then I
can't login after that.  I still get "No utmp entry. You must exec(login) from
the lowest level (sh)".

This is what I do:

# > /etc/utmp
# ll /etc/utmp
-rw-r--r--   1 root       root             0 Apr  8 14:41 utmp

How do I resolve?

RESOLUTION

When trimming an /etc/utmp file that is corrupted -- it may not trim all the
way and still have a remnant of corruption.

The proper way to clear a corruption problem with /etc/utmp is to do the
following:

1. cp /etc/utmp /etc/utmp.040802
2. rm /etc/utmp
3. touch /etc/utmp

n4000: / # ll /etc/utmp
-rw-r--r--   1 root       root          1080 Apr  8 08:57 /etc/utmp
n4000: / # cd /etc
n4000: /etc # ll -d
dr-xr-xr-x  31 bin        bin           7168 Apr  6 18:34 .

4. Use chown and/or chmod to make changes to persmissions or owners as needed.
5. init q

If that doesn't work, then:

1. cp /etc/inittab /etc/inittab.040802
2. cp /usr/newconfig/etc/inittab /etc/inittab
3. init q

If that doesn't work, then shutdown and reboot the system at your earliest
convenience.