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Old 12-14-2006, 11:00 PM   #1
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Can't login on console


I'm very new to linux and don't really know what I'm doing and that's what caused my problem...

I'm running slackware. I was trying to figure out how to get my qmail working with some new domains I put on my server. I was looking at "/etc/aliases.cdb" then I suddenly started getting "Segmentation fault". I rebooted the server and now if I try to login I get:
Linux 2.4.31.
\203\304^L\205\300^O\204@^C

I noticed when the server boots I get several "Segmentation fault" errors. It looks like apache is running but postgreSQL isn't.

I have someone doing a demo on one of the sites at 9:00am in the morning and now the site isn't working and I can't login.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Old 12-14-2006, 11:14 PM   #2
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UPDATE...

I am able to login on the console as "nobody" but still can't login to any other accounts.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Old 12-15-2006, 02:11 AM   #3
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Umm, segmentation faults and still booting? As a first guess I'd hazard it's a hardware problem. Do you have a testsuite for that? Since you are in a hurry you might open the box and move the memory out and in again...

HTH. Good luck.
 
Old 12-15-2006, 06:25 AM   #4
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I think somehow the "/etc/aliases.cdb" got messed up evenn though I didn't save when I exited (but it did ask me if I wanted to save changes and I didn't make any changes).

It does let me in as "nobody" but nothing else. I think it may have something to do with login and checking if there is any mail. Can I stop the checking of mail when I login as root. I can boot to the distribution CD and login as root but have to mount the hda1 manually.

I will take the server down and check hardware connections but I think I screwed up the software somehow.

What is the "/etc/aliases.cdb" and can it be fixed.?

Thanks,
Peter
 
Old 12-15-2006, 06:33 AM   #5
silexis
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Howdy!


Well - please clarify the following:

- "I am able to login on the console as "nobody" but still can't login to any other accounts." are you talking about a local login or a remotely one? 'cause "nobody" account should not be among users with local login rights.
The segmentation fault can appear when - for example - a program is trying to write smth in a read-only location, so not necessary a hardware problem.
My advice - restore an old backup if you have any (without your last modifications into your system). For security purpose you should run a check with a tool like Tripwire to see if any break into your system was performed. You can also have a look into your PAM configuration (if you don't have a backup) as your system seems to be "locked".
My question: why are you using Slackware? - its not the happiest option to learn Linux as a beginner.


Regards
 
Old 12-15-2006, 06:51 AM   #6
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I'm running slackware because it was installed for me but the person that installed it isn't available anymore so I have to work with what I have.

There is no backup to bo back on...

Is there a was to do a "basic" login that doesn't check mail or load other options.? I really thinks is beacuse the "/etc/aliases.cdb" file is screwed and in digging around I have found that "newaliases" will rebuild it but I need to get logged in as root to do it. I think it let me in as nobody becasue it doesn't check mail for that account. Currently I'm booted to the distribution CD and logged in as root and mounted /dev/hda1 as /mnt and mounted /dev/hda3 as /usr but if I do the "newaliases" I'm not sure where it will write the "/etc/aliases.cdb" file.
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:09 AM   #7
JZL240I-U
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My reasoning for a hardware fault was his mentioning of segmentation faults during boot.

Be that as it may, the /etc/aliases.cdb can't be writen to your distribution CD . So fire ahead (after saving the old file) and see where it gets written to. You can always move it later.

Might be worth the try to umount your CD's /etc and mount your hard disk accordingly.

P.S.: I have the suspicion that a real Linux Guru would use "chroot". You might want to check that out (man chroot) on your steep way to guruhood (is there such a thing at all?) ...
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:18 AM   #8
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OK... Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with "/etc/aliases.cdb" and newaliases. I was only looking at that because it was the last thing I was doing before this got messed up. I looked that the date of the "/etc/aliases.cdb" and I really don't think that's the problem.

I rebooted the server and I start getting "Segmentation fault" on boot up, these are examples:

/etc/rc.d/rc.sysvinit: line 34: 49 Segmentation Fault stty onlcr 0&1 Using /etc/random-seed to initialize /dev/urandom

/etc/rc.d/rc.M: line 59 Segmentation Fault /bin/hostname $(cat /etc/HOSTNAME | cut -f1 -d .)

Then it tries to start postgres and fails
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:22 AM   #9
JZL240I-U
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1. I suggest you backup all critical data ASAP.
2. For me that looks like serious trouble either hardware or the filesystem.
3. Goto 1.
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:35 AM   #10
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Since I can't get postgres running will I be able to copy and/or save the the postgres databases.? If I can where would I look for them.?

As far as the web sites, they are all on hdb1. I'm just not sure where that postgres database is.

Now, I have another motherboard which is the same as the one I am currently using and I have more memory. Should I try hardware swapping or is the boot drive fried.?
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:45 AM   #11
silexis
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Please can you email me to silviu_p_atc at yahoo dot com your following files: /etc/rc.d/rc.sysvinit and /etc/rc.d/rc.M
Also can you dmesg to a file and send me that files to the same email address.
You can try reverse the process of what you have done to your system before crashed (some new programs/updates installed, etc).


Regards
 
Old 12-15-2006, 07:57 AM   #12
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What is "dmesg".?

I will see what I can do about getting those file to you. Don't know if ftp is working.

FYI: I swapped out the memory and I'm still getting the same problems...
 
Old 12-15-2006, 08:04 AM   #13
TomChiverton
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So you can login as root ?
 
Old 12-15-2006, 08:07 AM   #14
JZL240I-U
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Just type dmesg to see what it does. Then dmesg > outfile. Send outfile to silexis.

It's probably of no use to pursue hardware further right now with the new RAM working as before.

Try to run fsck (filesystem checker). Must be specified according to the filesystem you use, e.g.e2fsck (man fsck).

I'd still run a backup.

Last edited by JZL240I-U; 12-15-2006 at 08:10 AM.
 
Old 12-15-2006, 08:11 AM   #15
silexis
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dmesg is a command for printing/control the kernel ring buffer (you will use it to extract the info from the boot process).
Why do you need a ftp if you are logged in rescue mode directly from system console?
Run this way: dmesg > dmesg.txt and then email me the dmesg.txt

PS: I have received the files from you. I will have a look on those lines....who knows...
 
  


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