during the install and debugging of a php app on my home server I accidentally ran this command:
chmod 0444 /etc/*

I didn't notice any problems right away but soon I was unable to run any command with messages that I didn't have permission.

I rebooted.


Computer will not boot says that it can not run /bin/bash (don't remember reason given) and then that it can not run several other programs called for by init.

I booted from a rescue cd and restored permissions as best I could according to the /etc/ listing of a similiar computer. I still get same error.

I would've'e have thought changing back permissions would take care of it.


Any thoughts on how to correct situation shy of a reload.


I spent many late evenings getting LAMP and PEAR several other apps compiled and configured. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

I obviously need to setup some sort of backup solution.


System

Vector Linux 3.2 (Based on Slack 9.0)
amd k6-2 500


If more info is required I will be more than happy to oblige.


Thanks,
Keln

Eeek. I remember an accidental permissions loss on /usr. What a nightmare. I ended up reinstalling. In any case, more specific error messages will help us to debug your problem.

Hi,
Try this, and let me know how it goes.

chmod -R 755 /etc/*

--

At one time I already changed permission to 777 thinking that would at least get me booted. It didn't. I don't understand why not. Unless I cleared a suid bit somewhere? I will to get some pertinent boot log information and post back.

Thanks,
Keln

/etc/passwd, /etc/group, and /etc/shadow may need specific permissions to make the system boot.

here is what I set them to:

-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 768 2004-10-26 14:14 /etc/group
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 750 2004-11-05 15:40 etc/passwd
-rw-r----- 1 root shadow 1169 2004-10-26 14:14 /etc/shadow

Do they look right?

Here is the first sign of trouble that I can see on boot.

INIT: version 2.84 booting
INIT: cannot execute "/bin/sh"
INIT: ENTERING runlevel: 5
INIT: cannot execute "/etc/rc.d/rc.syscinit"
"/sbin/update"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/etc/rc.d/rc.X"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"
"/sbin/mingetty"

then the system gives errors about mingetty respawing to fast.

I dug deeper into the problem tonite. I attempted to use a recue disk and chroot into my root partition. I recieved this error:
<error qoute>
"Cannot execute /bin/bash: Permission denied"
<\error qoute>

After googled the error and this web site provided some good answers: http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue52/okopnik.html

After further troubleshooting I discovered that somehow permissions had been changed to 0444 in /lib also.
Not sure how, but anyways all is back to normal and I have a bootable system. Hope this helps someone else.

Thanks,
Keln