# What is `getty_ps`?

This is just another version of `getty`, which is a program that handles some of the login process when you log in to a UNIX box. It was written by Paul Sutcliffe, Jr. `(paul@devon.lns.pa.us)`. Kris Gleason `(gleasokr@rtt.colorado.edu)` currently maintains it. 2.0.7c is the latest version, and supercedes any older versions. Most Linux distributions come with `getty_ps` installed as the default `getty` but you should check to make sure. At your Linux prompt, type:

> `

>     linux# strings /etc/getty | grep "/etc/default"

> `

If `grep` returns "`/etc/default/%s`" then you have the right `getty`. If you do not have this version of `getty`, I highly recommend that you get it. It can be found on the standard Linux FTP sites.

### Installing `getty_ps`

Get the package from an ftp site, and install according to the instructions.

Be sure that the new `getty_ps` works correctly before you remove all the other versions! I recommend changing one of your virtual console lines from:

> `

>     c2:23456:respawn:/etc/getty tty2

> `

to:

> `

>     c2:23456:respawn:/etc/getty_ps tty2 VC console

> `

Put this line in your `/etc/gettydefs`:

> `

>     VC# B9600 SANE CLOCAL # B9600 SANE -ISTRIP CLOCAL #@S @L login: #VC

> `

and restart `init`:

> `

>     linux# kill -HUP 1

> `

If you can log in on a console with `getty_ps`, it's working. Move `getty_ps` to `getty` or link it. Be sure to update your `/etc/inittab` to correctly invoke the new `getty`. The entries need to be in the form of:

> `

>     [options] line [speed [term [lined]]]

> `

Once you have installed `getty_ps`, and are certain it is working, you can remove any other versions of `getty` you have. Be sure to check in `/bin`, `/etc`, `/usr/bin`, `/usr/etc`, `/usr/man/man1`, and `/usr/man/cat1` for any thing called `getty` - there are old versions lurking everywhere. Also, you can safely remove the old config file `/etc/gettytab` - you only need `/etc/gettydefs`. From this point on, all references to `getty` will refer to `getty_ps`. References to `uugetty` will refer to the `uugetty` that comes with the `getty_ps` package.