RHEL 5.5 and MOTD and other

m130 · 05-03-2010, 01:22 PM

Hello,
I am using the RHEL 5.5 Linux and have a issue editing the motd. I have "vi /etc/motd" INSERT Mode and put my text in place. I did a :wq and exited. the motd doesn't show my text. I need for the text to be the same for all users that log in and also need help setting the background and screensave also for all users and not be able to change it. I know someone may have covered this and I am sorry posting a elementary thing but I have beat my brains out.

m130 · 05-03-2010, 01:23 PM

I meant to say that I can vi the motd file and it shows the text but not at the login..

vikas027 · 05-03-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m130

I meant to say that I can vi the motd file and it shows the text but not at the login..

Could you please give the output of this command.

Code:

cat /etc/motd

m130 · 05-04-2010, 06:10 AM

I would love to post the text of the banner but I can't. I do show the text of what I want it to say. I can't show the text since the text is sensitive. I am sorry for this but hope this explains somewhat?? I am wondering if I have an issue with line breaks.

vikas027 · 05-04-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m130

I can't show the text since the text is sensitive.

Write some random text there for test purpose and then show up.

m130 · 05-05-2010, 06:05 AM

[root@localhost ~]# cat /etc/motd
This is a test computer.
Please be advised that you
may not at any time do what you want to do on
this computer
[root@localhost ~]#

m130 · 05-05-2010, 06:07 AM

This is some text I put in the motd and cat the file

vikas027 · 05-05-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m130

[root@localhost ~]# cat /etc/motd
This is a test computer.
Please be advised that you
may not at any time do what you want to do on
this computer
[root@localhost ~]#

I do not know why this is not working. Ideally it should work.

BUT, I have another option which will act similarly.

Login as root and put cat /etc/motd in the very first line of /etc/profile.

This will also display each user the message (in /etc/motd) whenever he/she will login.

I have tested this.

m130 · 05-07-2010, 09:28 AM

Do you want me to cat two different files? Sorry, I am not sure of what you were saying. Thanks for your help.

vikas027 · 05-07-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m130

Do you want me to cat two different files? Sorry, I am not sure of what you were saying. Thanks for your help.

No worries, just login as root and follow these steps

Code:

1) Put whatever you want to in /etc/motd
2) cp -p /etc/profile /etc/profile_old
3) sed -i "1i\\cat /etc/motd" /etc/profile

Hope this helps