Re: postgres cannot access the server configuration file

Thanks a lot for your help. I managed to figure it out.

2007/12/15, Bill Moran <wmoran(at)potentialtech(dot)com>:
> "Sebastien ARBOGAST" <sebastien(dot)arbogast(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
> >
> > 2007/12/15, Bill Moran <wmoran(at)potentialtech(dot)com>:
> > > "Sebastien ARBOGAST" <sebastien(dot)arbogast(at)gmail(dot)com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I'm trying to start postgreSQL server on my Macbook Pro. I've
> > > > installed it using packages available here:
> > > > http://www.kyngchaos.com/wiki/software:postgres
> > > > But when I try to start up the server running "sudo SystemStarter
> > > > start PostgreSQL", I get the following message:
> > > >
> > > > postgres cannot access the server configuration file
> > > > "/usr/local/pgsql/data/postgresql.conf": No such file or directory
> > > >
> > > > And as a matter of fact, there is no such file in this directory. Do I
> > > > have to create it manually?
> > >
> > > You need to run initdb to create the directory:
> > > http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/static/app-initdb.html
> >
> > The problem is that I need the password of the postgres user that has
> > been created automatically for me. I've tried "postgres" but it
> > doesn't seem to work. And since I can't see the user in my Preference
> > Pane, I can't change his password.
>
> Please don't top-post. And please don't respond personally to email that
> was originated on the mailing list. I've returned
> pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org to the list of recipients.
>
> If you installed the software, you obviously have root access, so just change
> the postgres password to something you know.
>
> While I'm not familiar with the Mac OS installation procedure, I'd assume
> that account was created without login capability (probably without a
> password at all) which is good, sound security practice. Software shouldn't
> create users with known passwords.
>
> You can also use sudo to switch to the postgres user without needing the
> password for the postgres user (although it will probably ask you for the
> root password again -- not entirely sure how Mac OS is set up by default)
> This approach has become pretty much par for the course on modern POSIX
> systems.
>
> Try:
>
> sudo -u postgres initdb
>
> --
> Bill Moran
> http://www.potentialtech.com
>

--
Sébastien Arbogast

http://www.sebastien-arbogast.com