How can i clean these phantom users

[xiko]

Hi everyone,
My platform is AIX5.2ML03. When i use "w" command, it comes with so many users with "-" in "what" column. It means these users are no longer exist in the runing system, no process, no thread .However, these user are displayed in the "w" command, as well "who". So how can i clean these users. Any ideas? thanks a lot

xiko

 

[khalidaaa]

If you say that you can find users who are not any more logged in using the w command then they must still be there in the /etc/utmp!

could you find what is in /etc/utmp!?!

Strange! it seems that they are not removed from the /etc/utmp!

did you try to login, log off and then login and see how many times your account exists!?!

as a direct solution, i would say upgrade to the latest maintenance level!

Regards,
Khalid

 

[xiko]

I think there is something wrong with utmp. logout user cannot be clear.

 

[khalidaaa]

Here is what i found (but this is talking about HP system!)

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/...22263&admit=-682735245+1173618606338+28353475

But here is the IBM link regading this issue:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=111&context=SWG10&uid=isg3T1000194#7

Hope this solves it.

Regards,
Khalid