[Help] Too many open files error

[hybrid_nsp]

Hello there guys,

I have a Fedora Core 6 installed. However, i accidentally modified the
/proc/sys/fs/file-max. I set the maximum file descriptors to '10'.

Now i cannot start any of my programs or i can't even log-in as root.
The system now always prompt with "Too many open files".

I cannot modify the /proc/sys/fs/file-max file back to its original value because
it requires root privileges. And now, I cannot login as root.

I think that restarting my system will not fix it. It may even not boot at all.

Do you have any idea on how to fix this??

Thanks in advance.

[vipin_1751986]

Try edit the file in single user mode (runlevel 1).

[meton_magis]

to do that, when grub comes up, hit e for edit, and move to the kernel line, and press e again. Then move (arrow keys) over to the area between the kernel stuff, and before the
ro root=----- and insert

1 with a space around it.

then hit enter, and press B

this will boot single user mode.

[hybrid_nsp]

thanks for the reply.

However, we tried restarting the machine and after it fails during startup, it went back to a single user mode. Luckily, i don't have to edit the file again, it seemed that fedora reverts this file back to its original value when something bad happens.

[meton_magis]

if I remember correctly, nothing you do in /proc is permanent. /proc doesn't reside anywhere, it is a virtual representation of processes, and while you CAN use it to change options, it is all volatile, and will revert after a reboot.