[CLUE-Tech] Re: I have no name! (problem solved)

[Friedman, Jason]

I found the answer:

http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/1999/debian-user-199906/msg02548.htm
l

/etc/passwd needs to be user-readable

> I was having troubles with my kernel because of a botched upgrade.
> 
> So, I copied my /home, /root, and /etc directories off to 
> someplace safe
> and did a full install with RedHat 8.0, being careful not to 
> change the
> existing disk partitioning and to not format the partition 
> holding those
> copies of /home, /root, and /etc.  The install went smoothly, my files
> are still there.  I deleted the default /etc and put in its place the
> previous one.
> 
> Now, when I log in as a non-root user, I get this message:
> 
> id: cannot find name for user ID 500
> 
> And then my prompt:
> 
> I have no name!@abigail ~ $
> 
> I am logged in, though.
> 
> When I try to do an su to any non-root user, I get this message:
> 
> could not open session
> 
> I've got entries for these non-root users and groups in 
> /etc/passwd and
> /etc/group.  I even deleted and re-added the users using the 
> userdel and
> useradd commands.
> 
> Why don't I have a name?