Not Able to change password

[ln_unix]

Hello All,

Am facing this problem first time and need your suggestions on same.

When I am changig the passwd of user1 , it just does not change and give a message i.e.
"The password or shadow file is locked.
See the lckpwdf(3C) manpage for further details."

Then I have seen man page of lckpwdf and am not able to understood it.

Following are the logs of the same:-

----------------------------------
root@abc:/etc> /sbin/passwd user1
New password:
Re-enter new password:
The password or shadow file is locked.
See the lckpwdf(3C) manpage for further details.
root@abc:/etc>
-----------------------------------

Could any one please suggest me.
What I can do to resolve the issye.

Thanks & Regards,
LN.

[Mounaam]

Hi,

search which process own the lock:
# fuser /etc/.pwd.lock
or
# lsof /etc/.pwd.lock

Then, correct the situation or kill it.

Regards,
Mounaam

[Dennis Handly]

lckpwdf(3C) says that it will fail if /etc/.pwd.lock exists. Check the date of the file and if "old", remove it.

[Mounaam]

Dennis,

I think that lckpwdf/ulckpwdf don't check if the lock file exists but use lockf(2) with that file.
This file should always exist.

Regards and happy new year,
Mounaam

[Dennis Handly]

>Mounaam: I think that lckpwdf/ulckpwdf use lockf(2) with that file.

Looks like you're right.