No utmp entry. You must exec "LOGIN" from the lowest level "sh&qu

[N8bak]

The /dev/root on one of our Openserver 5.0.4 boxes is full and we cannot log in to cleanup the drive. The error message we receive when attempting to login is:

No utmp entry. You must exec "LOGIN" from the lowest level "sh".

~N8

"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon `em." - Twelfth Night, II:5

 

[motoslide]

If you have an existing login, use that to clear off some space. If not, you will probably need to reboot the system, enter System Maintenance mode at the console, then remove a log file or two to gain enough space to look around.
The most likely cause is a very large print job, or a process which creates a log file and is mis-behaving.

One logfile which can typically be cleared is the Spooler log file: /usr/spool/lp/logs/requests
Don't remove the file, just clear it with this command:

# > /usr/spool/lp/logs/requests

(This is AFTER you gain control of the system, of course)

Do you know how (and when) to enter System Maintenance Mode?

"Proof that there is intelligent life in Oregon. Well, Life anyway.

 

[N8bak]

Thanks for the quick repsonse motoslide. One of our users had set up some extra logging and hadn't thought to clear the files. I was able to ftp to the machine and remove several files, after a reboot box came up fine.

For future reference, how do I get into System Maintenance Mode?

Thanks!

~N8

"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon `em." - Twelfth Night, II:5

 

[lorel]

To get to System Maintenance Mode:
Reboot system
press enter at the "boot" prompt
At the control d prompt enter the root password of the system. You are now in the System Maintenace mode AKA single user mode.

Joe