weird crontab error

[Stephanie L Davenport]

I have tried to edit my crontab file using "crontab -e". But, I get the following error message:

hpbest# crontab -e
crontab: can't open your crontab file.

But, I know that the file exists:

hpbest# cd /var/spool/cron/crontabs
hpbest# ll
-r-------- 1 root sys 4228 Jul 18 15:58 root

Also, if you do a "crontab -l", it shows the file. I _can_ edit the file directly but, feel more comfortable using "crontab -e".

There is an allow file:

hpbest# find . -name cron.allow
./var/adm/cron/cron.allow
hpbest# more /var/adm/cron/cron.allow
root
etc...

This is HP-UX 10.01.

Any ideas?

[Robert-Jan Goossens_1]

Hi Stephanie.

corrupted cron file?

# mv /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root.old

# crontab -e

and add the entries from your old cron file.

Hope this helps,
Robert-Jan

[Stephanie L Davenport]

Well, that didn't seem to work. :)

hpbest# mv root root.old
hpbest# ll
total 16
-r--r--r-- 1 root informix 2375 Mar 14 11:50 informix
-r-------- 1 root sys 4228 Jul 18 16:33 root.old
hpbest# crontab -e
crontab: can't open your crontab file.

So, I put it back:

hpbest# crontab root.old
warning: commands will be executed using /usr/bin/sh

[Rory R Hammond]

Stephanie,

Personally, I do not like to use crontab -e because, I make to many mistakes

I perfer:
crontab -l > root.old
cp root.old root.new
vi root.new (then make the changes)
crontab root.new (activate the changes)

If I get an error or discover a problem,
I have a ready recovery copy.
I regulary compare my saved "golden" copy with the active copy. This helps me track uncontrolled change...

Rory

[Robert-Jan Goossens_1]

Stephanie,

check this doc (HPUX 10.10)

Title: Editing /var/spool/cron/crontabs/file causes problems; use crontab
Document ID: A4581686

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000062940497

Regards,
Robert-Jan

[melvyn burnard · Accepted solution]

Question posted in wrong forum, moved to more appropriate forum

[Peter Nikitka]

Hi,

to 'refresh' your crontab-entry, do

crontab -l >~/mycrons

Revise the file ~/mycrons , and then activate the new entries via

crontab ~/mycrons

mfG Peter

BTW: HP-UX 10.01, aha.

[Stephanie L Davenport]

I will use the solution of copying the crontab file, editing it and then using #crontab . That seems to be the best solution.

Thanks guys!

Steph

[Peter Nikitka]

Hi,

glad to hear that our submissions were not complete useless; so look at

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#28

mfG Peter