The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference: 2194
Logged by: Shawn Dong
Email address: dongshan (AT) tiros (DOT) com.cn
PostgreSQL version: 8.1.2
Operating system: Fedora Core 4
Description: Start Script in the package doesn't work
Details:

I install a completely new Fedora Core 4, and did not choose to install the
PostgresSQL while installing the Fedora.

1, I copy postgresql-8.1.2.tar.gz under /root/ directory, and then execute
the following commands:

--------------------------------
cd /root/
tar xvzf postgresql-8.1.2.tar.gz
cd postgresql-8.1.2
../configure
gmake
gmake install
adduser postgres
passwd postgres
mkdir /usr/local/pgsql/data
chown postgres /usr/local/pgsql/data
su - postgres
/usr/local/pgsql/bin/initdb -D /usr/local/pgsql/data
/usr/local/pgsql/bin/postmaster -D /usr/local/pgsql/data >logfile 2>&1 &
--------------------------------

2, And then I execute the following commands to setup PostgreSQL start when
system boot.

--------------------------------
cd /root/
cp /root/postgresql-8.1.2/contrib/start-scripts/linux postgres
install postgres /etc/rc.d/init.d/
chkconfig --add postgres
--------------------------------

3, I reboot the computer, but PostgreSQL failed to start.

4, I check /usr/local/pgsql/data/serverlog, there is only one line :

su: /bin/bash: Permission denied


I think the start script from the package should running correctly.

If possible, could you let me know if you will solve this issue? and where I
can get the new start script?

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TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?

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"Shawn Dong" <dongshan (AT) tiros (DOT) com.cn> writes:
If you want a canned solution, why aren't you installing the RPM (either
Red Hat's version or the PGDG one)?

You're welcome to figure out what's broken about that contrib script and
send in a patch, but the people who care about this sort of thing are
busy maintaining the RPMs, not the contrib script ...

regards, tom lane

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TIP 2: Don't 'kill -9' the postmaster