Arch Linux

phabulosa

Member

From: Mountain View, CA

Registered: 2007-10-17

Posts: 182

Website

Unable to login within a shell already logged in

I am trying to run
login (to login as a different user) within a shell already logged in.

However,
I got the following error message.

No utmp entry. You must exec "login" from the lowest level "sh"

How to fix this , or any work around?

dyscoria

Member

Registered: 2008-01-10

Posts: 1,007

Re: Unable to login within a shell already logged in

This may help: http://linux.about.com/library/cmd/blcmdl1_login.htm

"If the user is not root, and if /etc/nologin exists, the contents of this file are printed to the screen, and the login is terminated. This is typically used to prevent logins when the system is being taken down. "

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phabulosa

Member

From: Mountain View, CA

Registered: 2007-10-17

Posts: 182

Website

Re: Unable to login within a shell already logged in

This may help: http://linux.about.com/library/cmd/blcmdl1_login.htm

"If the user is not root, and if /etc/nologin exists, the contents of this file are printed to the screen, and the login is terminated. This is typically used to prevent logins when the system is being taken down. "

I am trying to login as a different user (not root, su works), and I don't have /etc/nologin

Jansson

Member

From: Sweden

Registered: 2006-09-10

Posts: 106

Re: Unable to login within a shell already logged in

If I understand you correctly, '#su' IS your friend. Try out '#su <username>'

phabulosa

Member

From: Mountain View, CA

Registered: 2007-10-17

Posts: 182

Website

Re: Unable to login within a shell already logged in

If I understand you correctly, '#su' IS your friend. Try out '#su <username>'

You saved my day. I have been using linux for a couple of years and I never read 'su' manpage.

I always thought 'su' stands for SuperUser, instead of 'SubstituteUser'.

Just ask out of my curiosity, why does 'su' work but 'login' doesn't?

Is this related settings in /etc/pam.d ?

Jansson

Member

From: Sweden

Registered: 2006-09-10

Posts: 106

Re: Unable to login within a shell already logged in

Glad I could help:)  Login wont work because a session within the session isn't allowed. Check out man login