[Sunhelp] Scary error messages

[Bruce Mitzit]

So, I
a) open the passwd file with vipw. Opens in emacs, my default editor.
b) page through a bit. I *change nothing! *
c) quit emacs. Get this error:

Root login directory != "/" or default shell missing:
root:x:0:1:System Administrator:/root:/sbin/sh
vipw: you mangled the /etc/ptmp file, /etc/passwd unchanged
Root login directory != "/" or default shell missing:
root:x:0:1:System Administrator:/root:/sbin/sh
vipw: you mangled the /etc/ptmp file, /etc/passwd unchanged

d) do a
# more /etc/passwd
root:x:0:1:System Administrator:/root:/sbin/sh
...
Indeed, all looks normal.
Can su to root. Have shell.

----

And, while cleaning out bogus and old users:

# userdel -r zsimon
UX: userdel: WARNING: Group entry exceeds 512 char: /etc/group entry truncated.


What do these error messages mean?

All thanks to the list!

Bruce Mitzit