I recently ran into some trouble and corrupted my /etc/passwd file. I have since been able to track down how to login under the rescue mode and get my root user back. I am very new to Linux so things are moving slowly with this latest error. I am running Redhat 7.3 - if that helps.

1. I now have all the files and everything for the old users, except that according to my passwd file they don't exist.

2. I can't delete them using the "userdel...." or the X way of going through User Manager.

3. I don't want to add new users and just mess around with the files even more than I already have.

Is there anyway of recovering or adjusting the X program - or through the prompt - so that I can fix my mistake? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

as root you can edit the passwd file and add the user manually, set no password for the user in /etc/shadow so you can login without the password and later change it

Thanks -- didn't even cross my mind.