SUMMARY: /etc/passwd file not being updated

From: Tony Warner <Tony.Warner_at_gat.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 11:22:44 -0800

Solution:

As usual, a ton of quick responses:
Use vipw.

This works, but I am unclear as to what vipw does that editing the passwd
file directly with vi does not do. I am not using a hashed password file.
I routinely use vi to cut and paste passwords into new users passwd file
entries.
This always works fine. I will use vipw from now on to eliminate problems,
but
if someone could shed some light as to why this should be better, I would
appreciate
it.

Thanks,
Tony Warner



The problem:

I manually edit the /etc/passwd file to reflect a new home directory
for a user. Upon the user logging in, they are deposited into the same
directory they always have been (not the new one). The /etc/passwd
file still reflects the new change, but the $HOME variable is still pointing
to the old home directory. Doing a 'finger' on the user, shows the correct
new directory as their home.

I've made manual changes to the passwd file before with immediate effect.
What am I missing?


*********************************************************************
Tony Warner Tony.Warner_at_gat.com
General Atomics (619) 455-4285

*********************************************************************
Received on Tue Jan 26 1999 - 19:23:41 NZDT

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