ben eisenbaum writes:
> What is on line 71?  That doesn't look like the example
> script you posted originally.

hst=${HST:0:3} is (was) on line 71 of .profile
it's the only line in .profile that causes a problem.  take
it out (change it to hst=`echo $HST | cut -c1-3` and the
problem goes away.

> .profile is not a shell.  I don't think the file has
> anything to do with it.  Either bash is your login shell or
> it isn't.

> So if it's not working, then you're not running bash.
> This seems to be the conclusion you've come to in later emails.

right.  my shell, from /etc/passwd is /bin/bash, but the
ubuntu GNOME login GUI evidently uses dash instead.

and jerry writes:
> What happens if you run a terminal (eg GNOME Terminal) as a
> login shell.  Normally terminals are set by default not to
> be a login shell.

my GNOME terminal default is set to execute .profile, and
does so with no apparent problem, even with the offending
line in the script, i.e. apparently, once you pass the GUI
login, the system uses bash.  only the GUI login seems to be
using dash.

> Also, did you check the contents of your .xsession-errors

well that's where i saw the error, it the little window
GNOME puts up when it wouldn't let me log in, after i check
the box saying ".xsession-error show details" (or something
like that).

  /etc/gdm/Xsession: Beginning session setup...
  /home/moylan/.profile: 71: Bad substitution

but then ben writes:
>  $ head -n 1 /etc/gdm/Xsession && grep '\.profile' /etc/gdm/Xsession
>
>
> test -f "$HOME/.profile" && . "$HOME/.profile"

> You could rename your .profile to .bash_profile.  I didn't test it, but I
> suspect that would solve your problem with X logins.

i did, problem solved.  thanks.

dan

j. daniel moylan
84 harvard ave
brookline, ma 02446-6202
617-232-2360 (tel)
810-454-1823 (fax)
jdm-LPA1KyJyIuz1P9xLtpHBDw@public.gmane.org
www.moylan.us
[death to html bloat!]