System-config-users problem: user database cannot be read

[Mikkel L. Ellertson]

Phil Meyer wrote:
> Gilbert Sebenste wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I have a problem with one of my files and I don't know how to fix it.
>> When I run system-config-users, it reads:
>>
>> "The user database cannot be read. This problem is most likely caused
>> by a mismatch between /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow or /etc/group and
>> /etc/gshadow. The program will exit now."
>>
>> How can I fix this?
>>
> 
> First of all, always run: vipw
> to make manual edits of /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow.
> Use vigr for group and gshadow.
> 
> That way you will be less likely to have this problem.
> 
> Now then, you are stuck with looking at /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow in
> two windows and making sure that they line up.
> 
> If they don't, use vipw to correct them.
> 
> Very tedious work on large user bases, but do it anyway.
> 
> Now do the same side by side comparison on group and gshadow.
> 
> These files should line up perfectly.  Its possible to be sloppy and
> run, but I wouldn't recommend it.  It pays to be neat and tidy.  GUI
> tools that expect such things can then run properly. :)
> 
> Of course, some old dogs that seem to drag their feet into the real
> world of GUI based Systems Admin, would run useradd, usermod, vipw, etc.
> without even thinking about it.  Sometimes we have to force ourselves to
> even remember that there are such things!
> 
> 
> Good luck!
> 
If you don't like vi, you can set EDITOR to the editor you want to
use before running vipw or vigp. (export EDITOR=mcedit)

Mikkel
-- 

  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
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