vi /etc/hosts 3

[telcomwork]

I'm trying to change a host file using vi but it tells me read only and I can't change anything. What's the right command to make changes?

Sorry for the newbie question!

Thanks!

 

[xkjdhdg]

You must be logged in as SUPERUSER to change /etc files.
You can use vi to edit that file just be sure to do a shift : and at the : type SET LIST this will display all characters.

 

[telcomwork]

I logged in a root.

Thank you I'll try that now!

 

[telcomwork]

I'm looged in as root.

I'll try that right now. Thank you!!

 

[telcomwork]

It change with prompts but still won't let me retype over any of the old config.

 

[kHz]

After you make the changes to the /etc/hosts file and you are ready to save your changes, try this sequence:

esc
:wq!

the wq! means write and quite; the ! forces the change. Your permissions on the /etc/hosts file probably don't have write permissions, so even root would have to do wq!

 

[telcomwork]

I can't even make the changes to get to try the :wq!

After pressing shift: what do I need to do next to make changes?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[telcomwork]

I jsut did a test using :wq! and it let me save. If I could only make changes now after using shift : I think I should be good to go.

 

[xkjdhdg]

To make the changes you will need hold the SHIFT KEY down and hit R this will overtype. Once you have amde the changes. Hold shift down and hit the : key. You should get a : in the lower left hand corner. At the : type wq!
The write or save the file and quit.

 

[kHz]

What do you mean specifically by "can't make changes" ?

If you type a letter it doesn't insert the letter?

Try:

esc
i

This i is for insert.

What is your TERM? (`echo $TERM` to find it) and try setting it to vt100 (`DISPLAY=vt100; export DISPLAY`)

 

[telcomwork]

I = insert
D = delete

Sorry just figured this out.

 

[KenCunningham]

I really think you need a vi tutorial before you start messing with the /etc/hosts file!

 

[telcomwork]

Completed it last night successfuly but the tutorial isn't a bad idea. Thanks all!

 

[telcomwork]

At the same time this is a help forum and everyone is not going to know all, even the basics. I'm a telecom person, not a Unix Admin. I asked for basic help and with basic help from the others (which I thought this forum was all about) I was successful.

Now that I have time for a tutorial, I will do as you suggest but time and unreal expectations don't always warrent books, CDs, tutorials....

 

[KenCunningham]

Sorry if you interpreted my post as dissing you (and I can see how you came to that conclusion), but I had no intention of doing so. I just know from bitter experience that messing with important files using vi can often end up causing more problems than it solves. Again, apologies, no offence intended.

 

[telcomwork]

NO problem I understand you're right. I need to learn more. I had to do this out of no where and all of you came up huge for me. Defintley taking your advice. I just felt like an idiot for asking after your post whcih is not your problem it's mine. Ego jsut got a little banged up

Seriously thanks for your help and recommendation. You're 100% right, it can go bab very quickly and I need to learn more.

Thansk again!