Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uunet!math.fu-berlin.de!fub!dobag.north.de!jac From: jac@dobag.north.de (Joerg Conradt) Newsgroups: comp.os.minix Subject: Re: passwd file Message-ID: Date: 24 Apr 91 21:24:05 GMT References: <1991Apr23.030431.3481@skypod.uucp> Organization: Dobag Computer Systems Berlin Lines: 46 marc@skypod.uucp (Marc Fournier) writes: >Hi again, > I'm a new Minix user and am having my problems getting it up and >running. Mostly small problems that I do fix, but I've run across one >that I don't know: > Why won't my passwd file keep any new accounts? If I reboot, the >passwd file resets to the original values. Is there anyway around this >or something I'm forgetting to do? BTW, I'm still on floppy's. Does >that make any difference? We're looking at hard drive installation >by the weekend, so if that does make a difference, then hopefully the >problem goes away...right? >Oh well...thanks for any help, it is very appreciated. hello Marc oh yes, you do forget something! if you boot minix, the root-disk is loaded in the ram (at least atari-st version!) (that's all exapt of /usr !!!). If you now change a password in the /etc/passwd file, you change it in the ram and if you reboot, the ram will be booted from disk again! This means, you'll have to copy the /etc/passwd-file from the ram to the root disk. simply enter: /etc/umount /dev/dd0 # if this is your /usr-disk /etc/mount /dev/dd0 /tmp /bin/cp /etc/passwd /tmp/etc/passwd # be sure disk is not write protected /etc/umount /dev/dd0 /etc/mount /dev/dd0 /usr If you reboot with the modified root-disk now, the new /etc/passwd-file will be copied in the ram, and you have to enter the new password! This works for any other file as well, of course! (e.g. /etc/group) and needless to say: only root is allowed to do so! Greeting Joerg If any questions, contact me! -- UUCP: jac@dobag.in-berlin.de | - The number of viewers watching you is Alias Joerg Conradt | proportional to the stupidity of your 1000 Berlin 41 Germany | action. ++ 0307958397 | - "Murphy was an optimist"