samba conf file is read-only to root

tmoorman · 11-06-2003, 08:01 PM

I am not sure if this is the correct forum but here goes...

When I edit /etc/samba/smb.conf I cannot save it (as root). The file has been made read-only.
When I try to change permissions (again, as root) I get this error:

[root@penguin samba]# chmod 744 smb.conf
chmod: changing permissions of `smb.conf': Operation not permitted

This is what 'ls -l' gives me:
-rwxr--r-- 1 root root 1398 Sep 18 11:50 smb.conf*

Why can't I edit this file as root? I edited it in the past. I even tried it with Knoppix with the same result.
I am able to create and edit other files in this directory but not this one file. Does anyone know what is going on?
I am running Mandrake 9.1

Thanks.

trickykid · 11-06-2003, 08:19 PM

Not sure why it won't allow you to edit, what editor are you using? Have you tried renaming it and maybe copying the contents in it to a new file and name it smb.conf ??

tmoorman · 11-06-2003, 08:35 PM

I can't rename (mv). Also, lmhosts has the same problem. I am using gedit and have used kedit. (The window manager is KDE 3.1.) I have tried turning off the smb service with no effect. The funny thing is that samba in all other respects is working fine: files to/from Linux and WinXP. I would just like to be able to change the Linux shares.
Is there a way to see what is doing this?

J_Szucs · 11-06-2003, 09:48 PM

Are you absolutely sure that you are root when changing the permissions?

To make sure, issue the command:
whoami

To become root, issue the command:
su -l

intolinux · 11-06-2003, 09:52 PM

All your guesses are wrong, I am afraid.

just use this command to make /etc/samba/smb.conf usable for root
chattr -i /etc/samba/smb.conf

tmoorman · 11-07-2003, 10:45 AM

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It worked!
I knew it must be something simple.
I was on the verge of doing something drastic (like re-install samba).
Your help is much appreciated.

tmoorman · 11-07-2003, 11:05 AM

intolinux,

One question about chattr:
How do you know which files have this attribute set? 'ls' doesn't seem to do it. Do you know which command does?

intolinux · 11-09-2003, 07:35 PM

I am very glad to share linux knowledge with your guys

lsattr

tmoorman · 11-10-2003, 08:08 AM

The answer to my last question is obvious. chattr is used to list file attributes.

I know, I know: RTFM.

tmoorman · 11-10-2003, 08:23 AM

Actually the command is lsattr.