linux - Cannot create backup file(add ! to overwrite)

Question

Need help. I have been editing a text file in vi , and i was able to save the changes before but now i am getting the above error whenever i am typing command to save the file. Please help .

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8428210/cannot-create-backup-fileadd-to-overwrite

Answer 1

You can, as vi (or, more likely, vim) is saying force a write by doing:

:w!

Alternatively, write the file to an alternative location:

:w! /path/to/other/location

To check where your backup files are being written (normally):

:se backup? backupdir? backupext? 

Try to touch a file in that directory and see if your Operating System gives you an error to enlighten you as to why your editor cannot write there.