Re: [cobalt-users] POP3 lock problem - can't find .pop or .lock file

["ISEE Multimedia" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I have an admin account on a server whose mail can't be collected at the
> moment, the error message says:
>
> ERR [IN-USE] /var/spool/mail/.admin.pop lock busy!
>
> Well... there is not file by that name - and I can't a file by that name
> anywhere on the server - anything else that might produce the same error?
>
> thanks
>
> GHL
>

I had exactly the same error yesterday and couldnt get rid of it even by
removing the .pop or .lock files so this may help you as it sorted my
problem out.

PLEASE NOTE: This worked for me but i cannot guarantee it will work for you,
i can not be held resposible for any loss or corruption, following the
instructions below is entirely at your own risk!!! RANT OVER.

log in as admin through ssh the su - to root

We then need to shutdown sendmail

# /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail stop

It may still be running so lets check?

# /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail status

If you get a PID running then kill it.

# kill -9 PID   (where PID is the number)
# /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail status

Should tell you that sendmail is stopped.

Then run the following commands, note this will remove all the email of the
user but we will make a backup

# cd /home/spool/mail
# ls -al

You will see the users account in the list. (make a note of the site number
that the user is associated to)

# cp username usernamebak    (where username is the user)
# touch username  (where username is the user)
# ls -al  (you will see the new file you created, but the permissions and
ownership are wrong)
# chown username:site~~ username    (where username is the user and ~~ is
the site number)
# chmod username 600    (where username is the user)

Now lets start sendmail

# /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail start

I found that I had to reboot the server after this to get everything working
again properly but your situation may not require this.

Regards.

Mark
www.host4.me.uk