Using OpenSSL what does “unable to write 'random state'” mean?

Question

I\'m generating a self-signed SSL certificate to protect my server\'s admin section, and I keep getting this message from OpenSSL:

unable to write \'r

Answer 1

Apparently, I needed to run OpenSSL as root in order for it to have permission to the seeding file.

Answer 2

One other issue on the Windows platform, make sure you are running your command prompt as an Administrative User!

I don't know how many times this has bitten me...