Applications Systems

SAM Linux Script Monitor shows error setting prompt (PS1) in SolarWinds Platform

This article provides steps to resolve the error in setting prompt PS1 messag when polling a Linux Script monitor in SAM

First published date

10/17/2018 1:29 PM

Last published date

4/20/2022 7:17 AM

Overview

Linux nodes polled by SAM Script Monitor, the component status can get unknown and generate the following error:

 

"Error setting prompt (PS1). DoReceiveWaitPrompt timeout expired"

 

 

 

Product section

Server Application Monitor

Cause

Multiple reasons could generate the issue like:

 

  • The Linux/Unix Script monitor waits for a prompt two seconds after a SSH connection and sometimes this delay is not long enough.
  • Credential is locked out.
  • The credential/password used to poll the script monitor is expired.

 

E.g: Error showing password used by the credential is expired

 

DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Control will output debug log to ""
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - Running Script on 10.10.10.10
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - Opening SSH Connection to 10.10.10.10
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Send: sh
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Read (wait for prompt: False)
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Read: You are required to change your password immediately (password expired) Last login: Thu Oct 23 22:01:29 MST 2025 from  10.10.10.11 on pts/5 Last login: Thu Oct 23 22:05:25 2025 from 10.10.10.11
WARNING: Your password has expired.
You must change your password now and login again!
sh
Changing password for user shsswsau.
Current password:
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - Changing prompt...
DEBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Send: PS1='__SOLAR_WINDS_APM__'
EBUG SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - SSH Read (waiting for prompt with timeout: 00:00:10).
ERROR SolarWinds.APM.Probes.Script.LinuxScriptHelper - Changing prompt failed. DoReceiveWaitPrompt timeout expired.

Resolution

  • Increase the value of the delay.

Warning: SolarWinds strongly recommends that you only edit the given file. Any additional modifications may result in system performance issues or may create an error state.

  1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\SolarWinds\Orion\APM\ Copy solarWinds.APM.Probes.dll.config to desktop as a backup. 
  2. Open to C:\Program Files (x86)\SolarWinds\Orion\APM\SolarWinds.APM.Probes.dll.config in a text editor. 
  3. Locate the following line:

    <linuxscriptsettings promptwait="2" columncount="200" temporaryscriptfilenameprefix="APM_"/>

  4. Change the value of PromptWait from 2 to 10.

    <linuxscriptsettings promptwait="10" columncount="200" temporaryscriptfilenameprefix="APM_"/>

  5. Restart the SolarWinds Orion service for the changes to be applied. 

 

  • Check the credential and password used to poll the component and validate if it is not expired.