error creating the child process for this terminal

[sam R]

On Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 9:15 PM, NoOp<glgxg at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On 08/27/2009 04:09 AM, sam R wrote:
>> The problem started when upgraded my OS from Ubuntu 8.10 to 9.04.
>>
>>
>>
>>  1- When I launch Terminal window I get this message and can't type
>> anything.
>>
>> “There was an error creating the child process for this terminal”
>>
>>
>>  2- when I try to update any package through *Update Manager *I get this
>> message
>>
>> “Error failed to fork pty”
>>
>>
>>  Now, since Ubuntu doesn't allow you to sign-in as root from the start-up
>> GUI window, I'm having a problem modifying files to fix the* Terminal and
>> Update Manager errors.*
>>
>>
>>  Can someone help me please? Any suggestion?
>
> Yes. Let's try Google:
>
> <http://www.google.com/search?complete=0&hl=en&q=ubuntu+%2B“Error+failed+to+fork+pty”>
>
> Now launchpad:
> <https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/sysvinit/+bug/338071>
> [update manager "Error failed to fork pty"]
>
> Read through the bug report & you will find that there was an error
> during the upgrade process. The report will also provide you with
> information on how to correct the problem. Give this a try:
>
> 1. At the GDM login screen, select 'Options|Select Session|Failsafe
> Terminal|Change Session.
>
> 3. From the terminal window presented, enter (minus the $ prompt of course):
>
> $ sudo mv /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh.dpkg-dist
> /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh
>
> (Note: that last is 1 line.)
>
>
> $ sudo apt-get update
> $ sudo apt-get install -f
> $ sudo dpkg --configure -a
> $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
> $ sudo apt-get upgrade
> $ exit
>
> reboot.
>
> If you have issues with the terminal using #1 above: Boot into recovery
> mode, select Root (use the down arrow) and enter the above commands
> minus the 'sudo' - the prompt will change from $ to #.
>
>
> --
> ubuntu-users mailing list
> ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
>

The problem is solved. I modified  /etc/fstab by adding this line:
devpts /dev/pts devpts noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=620
 Thank you