PANIC- passwd command not changing passwd

[scott.list]

I can change a password on an account created with linuxconf, but not on accounts created with user script from 4.2 box.  Password file looks fin.  passwd userid asks for passwd, asks for confirmation, says all authentication tokens updated sucessfully.  But /etc/passwd although time stamp changes, remains unchanged, the passwd field is not updated.   Help help!?  Please hurry. TIA VM Scott