I get a "could not create lock file" error when trying to run Postgres

Posted by zermy on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by zermy
Published on 2011-11-14T15:55:48Z Indexed on 2011/11/15 1:57 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 501

Filed under:

postgresql

I recently had to replace my postgresql.conf file, and I thought I got the settings right, but when I try to run Postgresql, I get this error:

 ESTFATAL:  could not create lock file "/var/run/postgresql/.s.PGSQL.5432.lock": No such file or directory

My workaround is to go as root and create a folder called postgresql in /var/run and then change the owner of the folder to postgres.

The biggest problem is that I need to do this every single time my computer starts, the folder somehow deletes itself.

I tried commenting out the external pid file bit in the conf file, but that didn't change anything.

Related posts about postgresql

Postgresql fails to start on Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I installed postgresql 9.2 from add-apt-repository ppa:pitti/postgresql using apt-get install postgresql-9.2 At the end of the install and every time I try to launch postgresql by using the following command /etc/init.d/postgresql start or service postgresql start I get this error: Error:… >>> More
can't install psycopg2 in my env on mac os x lion

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I tried install psycopg2 via pip in my virtual env, but got this error: ld: library not found for -lpq (full log here: http://pastebin.com/XdmGyJ4u ) I tried install postgres 9.1 from .dmg and via port, (gksks)iMac-Alexander:~ lorddaedra$ locate libpq /Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.7.sdk/usr/include/libpq /Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10… >>> More
Postgresql has broken apt-get on Ubuntu

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
On ubuntu 12.04, whenever I try to install a package using apt-get I'm greeted by: The following packages have unmet dependencies: postgresql-9.1 : Depends: postgresql-client-9.1 but it is not going to be instal led E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a so lution)… >>> More
Installing PostgreSQL on FreeBSD (with ports)

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
Hey everyone, I am trying to install (using ports) PostgreSQL on a virtual server, running FreeBSD. My one question is this: Which of the following should I install? postgresql-contrib postgresql-docs postgresql-jdbc postgresql-libpgeasy postgresql-libpq++ postgresql-libpqxx postgresql-odbc … >>> More
Strange permission errors in new PostgreSQL installation

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
A freshly installed PostgreSQL (with configuration overwritten) won't start: $ sudo service postgresql start * Starting PostgreSQL 9.1 database server * Error: could not read /etc/postgresql/9.1/main/postgresql.conf: Permission denied Looks like it should be able to read it though: $ ls -l postgresql… >>> More

Developer IT