luoma@binah.cc.brandeis.edu
Date: 04/11/93


From: luoma@binah.cc.brandeis.edu
Subject: [Q] cannot login as root (SLS 0.99p6)
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1993 14:52:01 GMT

To the linux experts:

I have tried to install the tine base system
of SLS flavor of linux version 0.99p6
from /pub/linux/packages/SLS
on TSX-11.mit.edu.

I have gotten past the doinstall part and
created the boot diskette.
When I reboot, I find that I cannot
login as root (or anybody else listed in /etc/passwd).

HARDWARE:
I am running on a 486/DX compatible with 20 Meg RAM
and two SCSI hard drives.
SCSI controller: Future Domain 1670
HD: (SCSI ID 0) Maxtor LXT213 ("213Meg")
     (SCSI ID 1) Western Digital Piranha 4200 ("200Meg")

A (I hope relevant) portion of the login message is:

Linux version 0.99.pl6-26 (root@tritin) 03/01/93 20:31:04
Apr 11 08:46:36 init[1]: version 2.0 booting
/bin/touch: cannot execute binary file
/dev/sdb3 on /usr type minix (defaults)
none on /proc type proc (defaults)
Apr 11 08:46:26 init[1]: Entering runlevel:6
_setutent: Can't open utmp file: No such file or directory

The Maxtor only has a DOS FAT partition on it (I wish
to keep this as my C: drive).

On the WD drive, there are 4 partitions:
   1 - 60 Meg DOS FAT
   2 - 64 Meg minix partition (has root stuff except /usr)
   3 - 64 Meg minix partition (has /usr)
   4 - 12 Meg minix partition (will be swap partition, I hope :)

If I use SLS's a1&a2 disks to boot the system
and mount /dev/sdb2 to /root and /dev/sdb3 to /root/usr,
I find that all the files (e.g. /root/etc/passwd) seem
to be there.

I have also tried to roll my own boot floppy
with the rdev methods (part III.19 of the linux FAQs).
It boots, but I still cannot login.

So, I have looked through the comp.os.linux and comp.unix.questions
FAQs and I did not find any obvious solutions to my problem.
I would much appreciate advice on what to try next.

Robert Luoma
       luoma@binah.cc.brandeis.edu