MOTD will not change Ubuntu Server 10.10

idny · 04-20-2011, 05:06 AM

Hello,

Ive seen similar answers to this but it appears they cannot fix my problem.

I am trying to change the motd "message of the day" on my Ubuntu server 10.10,
But when i do sudo vi /etc/motd...

...i can change the text here, but as soon as I save and exit this file. It changes itself straight back.

Any help would be appreciated.

rforth · 04-20-2011, 10:48 AM

Try this:

sudo vi /etc/motd.tail

(note the .tail extension)

T3RM1NVT0R · 04-22-2011, 01:47 PM

Hi idny,

That should not happen on the first place, anyways do you see any error message when you try to save the file.

Did you try to do cat /etc/motd just after saving the file.

When you say as soon as you exit does it means you logout and log back in or you just do cat /etc/motd

Also what is the output of lsattr /etc/motd

TobiSGD · 04-22-2011, 02:01 PM

Newer versions of Ubuntu server use the update-motd package for changing the MOTD. You should have a look at that.