Getting an error using smbpasswd -- unable to open smb password database

[Brian Mangan LNOCA (216)520-6900 x222]

I have just installed Samba V2.0.3 for VMS and am having trouble adding
users to the smbpasswd.dat file.  When I execute what I think is the
proper command it tells me it is unable to open the file.  Here is the
output from the command, the first time I executed the command it tells me
it will create the file and then it fails, and the second time it just
fails;

$ smbpasswd -a brian password <Return>
Added interface ip=10.1.1.31 bcast=10.255.255.255 nmask=255.0.0.0
startsmbfilepwent: unable to open file /samba_root/private/smbpasswd.dat
startsmbfilepwent: unable to open file /samba_root/private/smbpasswd.dat
unable to open smb password database.
startsmbfilepwent: unable to open file /samba_root/private/smbpasswd.dat
add_smbfilepwd_entry: unable to open file.
smbpasswd file did not exist - attempting to create it.
Failed to add entry for user brian.
Failed to change password entry for brian

$ smbpasswd -a brian <Return>
Added interface ip=10.1.1.31 bcast=10.255.255.255 nmask=255.0.0.0
startsmbfilepwent: unable to open file /samba_root/private/smbpasswd.dat
unable to open smb password database.
startsmbfilepwent: unable to open file /samba_root/private/smbpasswd.dat
add_smbfilepwd_entry: unable to open file.
Failed to add entry for user brian.
Failed to change password entry for brian

The file does exist;
Directory SAMBA_ROOT:[PRIVATE]
SMBPASSWD.DAT;1    1/9   7-FEB-2003 09:11:24.63  [SYSTEM] (RWD,RWD,,)


And contains;
# Samba SMB password file


I need help to get this to work...help!

Thanks, 

Brian Mangan
Lakeshore Northeast Ohio Computer Association
Cleveland Ohio