currupt passwd file

[Schnellmann]

Hi

It seems that the passwd file got currupt.
It is not possible to get access not even with root.
I tried in single user mode and got the failure message "no root, bin, ... started with UID ..."

Is there any way of getting this back working without creating from scratch or play back an ignite backup?

Thanks

[Steven E. Protter]

check it as follows:

pwck

grpck (hoping you have a group file).

It is usually far easier to restore the passwd file from a backup. Rebuilding from scratch will get you your regular users, but what about your system users?

A full Ignite restore is going to rebuild the whole system. Don't you have an fbackup or something that lets you select the one file.

Also, before beginning, check space on the root filesystem.

bdf /

A full root fs is a common cause of passwd file corruption on HP-UX 11.00

SEP

[Darren Prior]

Hi,

In addition to the useful advice above I'd suggest initially that you have a look at the /etc/passwd file and see just how much of it does exist. It does sound as if it may be caused by the filesystem filling up, in which case you'll want to get to the bottom of that fairly quickly in case it occurs again after fixing the passwd file.

regards,

Darren.

[Stuart Abramson_2 · Accepted solution]

do you have any "/etc/passwd.old" or "/etc/passwd.last" that you could put in place to hold you over?

[Caesar_3]

Hello!

Boot from recovery CD and copy standart
passwd file to /etc

Caesar

[Martin Johnson]

Perhaps you can ftp /etc/passwd from another system?

Check for a full file system before doing anything. A full "/" file system can definately cause problems, but I've also seen problems when "/var" fills up.

HTH
Marty

[Schnellmann]

Hi,

I finally managed to get access to the server with only /sbin commands.
As an info:
- single user mode
- play back an old passwd with tar
(one of few working commands, no vi or ed)

As Steven mentioned the / was 99% full and most probably caused this.

Thanks for your help