Linux Problem?

[luoma at smectic.elsie.brandeis.edu (luoma)]

> What about "can't  find /etc/termcap" ...
As "man termcap" says, /etc/termcap is an ASCII file
that lists the capabilities of many different types
of terminals.  I suspect that something is wrong
with your file system.  If you do "ls /etc" and fail
to find "termcap" then you may to rebuild your linux system
(how depends on how much work you have already invested).

> 
> Anybody know anything about "Unknown term type con80x25",
> which is the message I get on my Linux screen when I log
> in under my own name?
In /etc/termcap, con80x25 is the single most basic, widely
used type of terminal (this is the ``console'' screen).
Its lack would be consistent with a missing /etc/termcap.

> ... or "can't read /etc/utmp"?
On my system /etc/utmp is linked to /var/adm/utmp, but the link
should still exist and point to an existing file.
"utmp" and "wtmp" are the login record files.

> And why when I try to open a
> mail program does it say
> "Who are you? (unable to look up login name)"? Any  ideas?

This error suggests (as strange as it may sound) that
the /etc/passwd file is missing (which begs the question of
how did you log in to begin with); one might wonder if there
is even a /etc directory.  In any event, it sounds like your
files have gotten corrupted in some way.


-- 
robert j luoma     <pussycat at world.std.com>