[Samba] setting passwd help

[Jim]

Hey,

I have got samba running ok on my debian box, but i'am having alot of trouble with my redhat box.. I think it is because i cannot set the passwd. Everytime i try and reset the passwd i get 

unable to open passdb database.
Failed to find entry for user root.
Failed to modify password entry for user root

any ideas on how i can fix this ?? 

this is were i have got it looking for the passwd

smb passwd file = /etc/samba/passwd


thanks