Can't change password as root

[chidi]

i am having prolems changing users password as root
it tell me it can't write to the /etc/passwd file and a Permission denied message.

i need help fast on this . my users are on my neck.

 

[ayjaycee]

OK - can you post the following :-

1) Version of Solaris in use
2) Exact command you're typing in to change the password
3) The message(s) that you're getting back
4) ls -l of /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow

... One by one, the penguins steal my sanity. X-)

http://www.tanda.f2s.com

 

[harris79]

Sounds to me like you are not logged in as root!

If you are using the su command from another user, make sure you use the - switch.
$ su -

Then use the passwd command.

Steve

 

[StickyBit]

Hi,

If you are using vi to edit the /etc/passwd and the permissions of the file are the following:

-r--r--r-- 1 root sys 966 Jan 10 15:54 passwd

You need to save your changes using wq! instead of using wq because root doesn't have write permissions on this file, only read.

StickyBit.