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Re: User Can Not Log In

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On 02/23/2017 04:16 PM, GiaThnYgeia wrote:
> Michael Milliman:
>> On 02/23/2017 10:47 AM, Dan Norton wrote:
>>> While playing around with Xfce, startx, and fvwm I've managed to
>>> clobber something such that the user can't log in. All attempts result
>>> in a fresh login box with my inputs removed. However, it is still
>>> possible to log in as root.
>>> fvwm was installed using Synaptic and run from an Xfce terminal
>>> session. When it did not produce the expected result, I shut down and
>>> rebooted. At this point it was no longer possible to log in as user -
>>> only as root.
>>>
>>> Do I have to rename /home/<user>, delete <user>, then re-define it as
>>> a new user and restore its home directory?
>>> Or is there a better way?
>> It should be possible to do some serious research and figure out exactly
>> which package is croaking, and why, and then edit the configuration file
>> for that package in /home/<user>.  But in my experience with similar
>> situations, this takes much more time than it is worth.  I have found
>> that usually just deleting the configuration files in /home/<user> will
>> work.  This is probably easier than the solution that you propose, but
>> your solution should work as well, as long as you don't copy back the
>> configuration files when you do the restore.
> Encouraged by the previous brave response, I have done similar hacks in
> the past.
>
> 1  One thing I look at is date ordered of @home/ directory.  See what
> was last edited and reconfigured, most probably is the culprit.  With
> some packages renaming that directory in the home folder as something
> else temporary (ie   home/gnubg --> home/gnubg.tmp may result into a
> login and when you run gnubg it will act as started for first time --
> not a good example I am afraid).  1.1  It may be more than one thing
> gone bad.
>
> 2  Create a new user, copy config files that you don't suspect are
> related to the problem and then go one at a time with the rest.
>
> 3  See if the file and directory rights are still in tact in your #home,
> maybe you locked yourself out.  Root should always have the right to set
> a new password for a user.
>
> 4  Are you switching between desktops, do you have an alternative
> (openbox .. gnome .. mate ..etc).  Did you try a different desktop?  It
> may relate to desktop settings or if you removed one you may have
> affected an other in case you were crossing desktop specific packages.
>
> 5  Check your autostart folders for crap you can remove.
All very good suggestions...but I usually just get fed up looking before 
I find the problem, and just go for broke.  It seems much easier to just 
re-apply my preferences than to continue digging. But it is a little 
like using a shot-gun rather than a scalpel.
>>> Thanks,
>>>   - Dan

-- 
73's de Mike, WB5VQX

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Re: User Can Not Log In Michael Milliman <michael.e.milliman@gmail.com> - 2017-02-23 19:00 +0100
  Re: User Can Not Log In GiaThnYgeia <GiaThnYgeia@openmailbox.org> - 2017-02-23 23:20 +0100
    Re: User Can Not Log In Michael Milliman <michael.e.milliman@gmail.com> - 2017-02-24 02:50 +0100
      Re: User Can Not Log In Dan Norton <dnorton@mindspring.com> - 2017-02-25 02:30 +0100
        Re: User Can Not Log In Michael Milliman <michael.e.milliman@gmail.com> - 2017-02-25 02:50 +0100

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