not again? adduser messed up

[saras]

I'm using postgresql as a database. I've been using it for awhile, and it works fine. A couple of months ago I wanted to get TomCat (Java Servlet Container) up and runnning and use JDBC hooked with the database. Well I finally got TomCat up and compiled some Java Servlets. Unfortunatly the database doesn't work anymore. So I decided to reload the database. Here's my problem. PostgreSql needs you to have a super-user account for starting the database. I usually set up a normal account (adduser) and configure it as a su.

Well I removed the postgres user and tried to do an adduser. The user does get added, but I can't *startx* without it hanging. It really doesn't hang, gnome just fails to load all of the stuff it needs. So I'm left with a x86 grey screen with nothing on it.

I've tried deleting and adding many times and I get the same thing each time. Here's a hint: I can add other users fine. If I do an adduser anotheruser, it's fine.

So, I guess, my problem is that I'm not clearing everything out from this user and when ever I try to add that "postgres" user it barfs.

Anyone know what files I should edit or delete. Basically I want to purge everything for this user.

As a last resort I'm going to reload the whole thing. God I hate having to do this.... Everytime I do a reload it takes me two weeks before I back in business.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Energon]

the first thing to do would be to find out why X won't load properly... check some logs, some output, redirct errors... whatever it takes... then fix what's broken based on that...

[saras]

Thanks for the reply but it's kinda vague. Q: How do you get to Sue's house?
A: Well start walking and look at a map; of course I won't tell you what her last name is or what city or state she lives in ;-)

p.s. Again, thanks for the other advice about chown