invalid syntax in pg_hba.conf file at line 243, token ''

Dear Tom,

Installing another postgresql database here. Everything went fine and the
./postmaster -i -D /usr/local/pgsql/data
Command starts the pg server fine too.
But when I go on to create the database with
./createdb -E UNICODE INDB
In
/usr/local/pgsql/bin in cygwin, the following error happens.

parse_hba: invalid syntax in pg_hba.conf file at line 253, token ''
FATAL 1: Missing or erroneous pg_hba.conf file, see postmaster log for
details

As per your advice in an earlier posting, I have restarted the PG SERVER as
well as shutdown and started the server again. But the same error persists.
I had not modified the pg_hba.conf file yet and the only entries there are
the usual ones of:

# TYPE DATABASE IP_ADDRESS MASK AUTH_TYPE
AUTH_ARGUMENT

local all trust
host all 127.0.0.1 255.255.255.255 trust

BTW, Line 243 of the conf file is
# TYPE DATABASE IP_ADDRESS MASK AUTH_TYPE
AUTH_ARGUMENT
-----> this is line 243
local all trust
host all 127.0.0.1 255.255.255.255 trust

Also I tried the mount command and the files are in binmode.
We are installing Postgresql 7.2 ON Win NT 4 with SP6A WITH CYGWIN. ( I have
installed with this config about 3-4 times on other machines but finding
trouble with this one only).
Please help with your advice.
Thanks

Mandar Salunkhe
HP CDI Team
460 Alexandra Road, PSA Building
Singapore 119963
Phone: 65-63617413 HP Telnet Number: 831-7413
Email: mandar(dot)salunkhe(at)hp(dot)com

----Original Message-----
From: Tom Lane [mailto:tgl(at)sss(dot)pgh(dot)pa(dot)us]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 8:00 AM
To: Doug Silver
Cc: pgsql-novice(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: Re: [NOVICE] Starting postgres with a password

Doug Silver <dsilver(at)urchin(dot)com> writes:
> I've searched around but didn't see this answered (at least in the
> first 100
> answers!). If the postgres user has a password (in Postgres, not the
system)
> *and* the hba_conf file does not trust the 127.0.0.1 host but requires a
> password, how can you start up Postgresql?

The postmaster doesn't need a password to start. If it can access the data
directory it figures you're authorized to start it.

regards, tom lane

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