su: /var/tmp/sh####.## cannot create

[mike worrell]

HI all,
I have a test box running 11.0, have copied the /etc/passwd and /etc/group file over from the box this one will replace. Doing some testing and if I su to a particular user from root it looks like it's doing ok then pauses and says "su: /var/tmp/sh#####.## can not create - the ##'s are different each time.
Can su to any other user with no problem.
Then once on as that user everything I type i get /usr/lib/dld.sl errno 000000023.
Only get with one particular user.
I don't have this problem on the original box.
Any ideas?
MIke

[MARTINACHE · Accepted solution]

Are the home directory OK ?

[H.Merijn Brand (procura]

1. is /var/tmp full?
2. does it have write permission for the user you are working as? Try

# cd /var/tmp
# banner Help >xx

if that works, you can write in /var/tmp

3. is there a huge difference in applied patches (March 1999 vs. December 2001), check with

# swlist -l bundle

Should come up with lines like

QPK1100 B.11.00.54.7 Quality Pack for HP-UX 11.00, September 2001
XSWGR1100 B.11.00.53.2 HP-UX General Release Patches, June 2001
XSWHWCR1100 B.11.00.46 Hardware Enablement and Critical Patches for HP-UX 11.00 (September 1999)

[S.K. Chan]

Run pwck on your password file, to make sure /etc/password is ok.

[mike worrell]

thanx patrice
it was a permission deal. changed like the original box and all ok

[mike worrell]

thanx everyone, I"m rolling now..