Login Incorrect

[K.Vijayaragavan.]

As you the system is now untrusted and password field in /etc/passwd file gor encrypted entries,

Now try to,
1) Create a new user account and see whether he is able to login or not?

If yes,

2)Then change the passwd of root by using command "passwd root"
and after try to login as root and see whether root is able to login or not?

If not,

3)run sam,
>networking and communications>name service switch>
selct the line passwd. In it , the first source should be "/etc/passwd". IF Not change it accordingly

4)As you may get the text based sam menu , i would like to mention this also.
Highlight "passwd" line and select actions (use arrow keys & tab key) and select configure name service switch.you will get a menu where you can change the search order, Highlight the first search order and press (Enter) key to get the pulldown menu where you can select the desired one (ie. /etc/passwd)

5)Finally one small doubt?

What is the default runlevel in your system. Check it in /etc/inittab.

look for the line,
init:#:initdefault

Note # denotes the runlevel.
If it is multi user mode. It must be above 2. If not change it accordingly.

"who -r to see the current runlevel"

Sorry for the lengthy dreaft.

-K.Vijay

[Alex Glennie]

I can't think how to avoid doing the following :

Boot to single user mode,
make a copy of your old password file.
replace /etc/passwd for /usr/newconfig/etc/passwd
continue the boot ......

then restore your original file ..... since it sounds like /etc/passwd is corrupted and the system has been trusted.