why is new user passwd not recognised?

[Gentree]

Hi,

I needed to add a new user account so did useradd with no passwd ( since the man tells me it's a bad idea to type on in here ).

I expected a new account with no password but I can only log into this account from a root shell that does not need one.

su - newuser from a different account gets asked for a passwd and fails.

I try to change the account passwork by su-ing into it and then doing passwd but it asks for the (non existent ) password.


I edit /etc/shadow and /etc/passwd to remove the password part of the field hoping to log in and set one but still get asked for the password.

Having removed the passed field, then su to it from a root console I then have to play twenty guesses as to what I actually requires. Lots of "BAD password" errors, not enough of this or that without saying what it DOES require.


GET OUT OF MY WAY and let me set a friggin password.

Finally I got set pass word from the root su shell, but now if I try to su to it from a normal user account , using the new pass word ( using Xwindow middle mouse to past from the same text that set it to ensure no typing errors ) , I get refused

[DONAHUE]

The gentoo handbook gives the only example I have ever used:

useradd -m -G users john
passwd john
New password: (Enter john's password)
Re-enter password: (Re-enter john's password)
You can change your user id from root to the newly created user by using su:
su - john
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