multiple root account? 1

[t0shiba3]

When i su - from my user and entry passwd i get to # however if i change the .profile and reread it changes are not applied. However if i type exit to get back to my user i get to PS1 prompt ie ddeefrs1> which is still root and the changes to the .profile are now implemented. Its almost as if there is two root accounts but checking /etc/passwd shows just one. The .profile does point to the ddeefrs1> as the line to create this login prompt is here
am i missing something really simple here?

paul

 

[MikeLacey]

Paul,

When you say "and reread it" what do you mean exactly?
Mike
michael.j.lacey@ntlworld.com

 

[badco]

Sounds like that it is working correctly. You have to logout or source .profile to implement the change.

 

[sureshp]

Hi paul,
I think you are starting a subshell when you are executing your .profile. In that case you won't get the settings immediately.I will give a simple example of your situation.

----------------
#cat /.profile

echo "this is the .profile of root"
ksh
PS1="Prompt >"
----------------
In this case you won't get the prompt as "Prompt >" immediately because You will be working with the subshell you are starting in the second line.Once you give exit command , the third line starts executing and you will get the prompt as "prompt >".Note that still you will be in root user.You need one more exit to switch to your user.



Hope my answer is related to your question.

Suresh

 

[t0shiba3]

Thanks shurshp, the .profile is quite complex here and i had missed the ksh which was starting the subshell

paul