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Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 13:59:48 -0700
From: Andrew Morton <akpm@osdl.org>
To: simon@nuit.ca
Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Cannot access '/dev/pts/292': Value too large for defined data
 type
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simon@nuit.ca wrote:
>
> whenever i try open a new pseudo-pty, i get a similar message to 
>  the one in the subject, and one like "fstat: Value too large for defined data
>  type" if i open an xterm.

It appears that you're using some variant of the 2.6.7 kernel, yes?

That kernel (and many preceding ones) will create large pty indexes and old
(and/or buggy) userspace fails to handle it correctly.

Post-2.6.7, the allocation of pty indexes was switched to first-fit and
things should now work OK.

Please test a current kernel and send a report.

2.6.7 plus
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/snapshots/patch-2.6.7-bk9.gz
would be suitable.