Did I fiddle too much with install?

Hi:  Not sure what exit status of - - - means below:

root@aether:~ > rcpostgres stop
Shutting down service postgres                                        done
root@aether:~ > rcpostgres start
Starting service postgresstartproc:  exit status of /usr/bin/postmaster: 2
                                                                      failed

Worse, I have the PostgreSQL Introduction and Concepts book by Bruce Momjian on
the desk.  I think I'm looking for the step that messed up the exit status
part.  Anyone point me to reference material where this is, or is this a SuSE
thing?  I'm running SuSE7.0 Prof  right now.   Thanks, Tom