Can't update, can't repair permissions, what to do next?

Im using an iBook G4. Anyway, tried to update to 10.4.6 yesterday, the process stalled. Rebooting took a very long time. When I open system updater, the process hangs up about 1/4 of the blue bar across. I didn't know to repair permissions before starting, so I tried to do that later. Disk utility does not run properly, so I cannot repair permissions now. I get an error message about a background process.
The computer seems to work now, but what is my next move? Thanks.

Vipir,
Neither you nor I can really guess Apple's policy on the matter. You are welcome to submit it as feedback here:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/
or call AppleCare on it and offer it as a suggestion.

Similar Messages

Photos can not import the photo library "can not repair permissions" what I can do?

http://www.google.es/url?source=transpromo&rs=rssf&q=//translate.google.com/comm unity?source=all
Hello
When I try to import your iPhoto library to the Photos app gives me error.
The misconception is that "can not repair permissions from the photo library."
I have repaired permissions from iphoto and ko.
What I can do?
Thanks.

Drag the photos to the iPhoto icon on the dock. Then wait for the fix that will hopefully come in 10.8.3

Can't repair permissions

Any ideas why I can't repair permissions? I've installed 10.5 on my 12" 1.33ghz Powerbook and since installing I haven't been able to repair permissions. I'm trying to use disk utility without having to reboot. It will start but it just spins for ever. It never does anything. Doesn't show progress and it never stops.

I had the same problem. But I was stupid enough to hit the powerbutton when i thought my computer froze..
The consequence was that when my mac restarted, and my keyboard didnt work anymore, except for the num-lock option, so i could type numbers..
I dont know very much about computers, but i can tell you that repair permission doesnt work like it ought to. I had to do a leopard clean install after that and I haven't tried the repair permission after that.
Think we'll have to wait untill apple comes with an update..

Disk Utility Can't Repair Permissions - A different one

I'm posting this separately from the previous thread I saw somewhere, because my situation is a little different.
I did the software updates on my G4 15" Aluminum this morning: Battery thing, iTunes, QuickTime and Safari. Security Update? FUGGETTABOUT. Went through THAT nightmare weeks ago.
Anyways: I can't repair permissions any way at all: not in Disk Utility, not in ONYX, and Not from Disk Utility from the Boot CD.
MY error reads:
"Disk Utility Internal Error: Disk Utility has lost its connection with the Disk Management Tool and cannot continue. Please quit and relaunch Disk Utility"
When I do THAT, I get the ever-so-encouraging warning, essentially telling me that I've been given a bum steer in the previous alert: "Operations Still in Progress. Disk Utility still has some operations in progress. Quitting in the middle of some operations can leave a disk non-operational. Are you sure you want to quit?"
Other details: Ran Disk Verify and Disk Repair from the boot CD and it was claimed that the disk was repaired and ok. Zapped the PRAM. Other problems are that Keychain Access just freezes when I ask to see a password. Never gets to the point of even asking for my administrative password.
Originally, too, just as when I had problems with the Security Update, I couldn't join my Airport Network, but for no apparent reason, after a couple of reboots after zapping the PRAM, I managed to connect.
This is the second time in less than a month that a machine which has always operated flawlessly has gone south after downloading Software Updates from Apple in good faith. I hardly think I should be expected to purchase third-party disk utilities to fix this myself.
Owen
G4 15" Aluminum PowerBook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Thank you, JRSY Man SO much. Just for the sake of anyone seeing THIS forum, go to the one JRSY MAN linked in the second post of this thread. There are about a hundred posts from people with this problem, and a lot of hair-pulling, but someone has come up with a temporary solution, and it finally worked for me.
There is an incompatibility in the stupid iTunes update, that creates all kinds of havoc.
Thanks again.
Owen

How can I repair permissions?

How can I repair permissions on my iMac?

Open the Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder, click on the volume with Mac OS X installed, choose the First Aid tab, and press the Repair Disk Permissions button.
(108223)

Finder is freezing and Can't repair permissions

I've been exporting some FCP files and when I go to finder and choose APPLE-I to get info on the files, the finder freezes and spins. When I try to force quit, finder is not responding.
I tried using my install disk to run repair permissions, thinking that might help but am unable to select repair permissions (it's grey), I can repair disk.
Not sure if the issues are related, but would love to solve them.
Thanks.

You can't repair permissions on a data volume. It has to have a bootable OS X installation on it. As for the SBBOD, see http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/sbbod.html

Can't repair Permissions 10.3.8

Hi,
Just recently got the message: "Disk Utility lost connection with Disk Management tool...Quit and restart Utility..", while repairing permissions.
Tried that, no luck--so I can't repair permissions. Ran Disk Warrior and TechTool with no problems. Still, Disk Utility shuts down.
My finder, except for the time/day and stuff in the top right, now takes forever to launch. The disk tests fine, but is nearly (2.5G of 30 remaining) full.
Any ideas?
OS 10.3.8
PowerMac G4 Dual 450, upgraded w/ dual 1.2 Powerlogix
1.5G RAM
OSX, OS9 internal 30G boot drives
ATI Radeon 9000, dual monitors
Thanks, MR

Brian,
Sorry for not reading before posting. I'll follow your post at the top of the board.
Thanks,
MR

Unable to Repair Permissions- What should I do?

Hi Guys
My goal is to replace my original internal hard drive on my Power Mac G4, but I have hit a glitch.
I have backed up OSX 10.3.9 on my new External Hard Drive, then made a folder on my external drive called "OSX Backup from G4", and copied all these files into this folder. Then I deleted the original copied back up, and have all this stuff in this "OSX Backup from G4" folder. (I am keeping all my backups from different operating systems in separate folders, i.e. OS 9.2 and OS 10.3.9 from my G4, and OSX 10.4.1 from my Mac Book Pro.)
Ok, then I backed up all the Macintosh HD-OS 9.2 into my new external drive. But when I tried to copy them into a folder called "Macintosh HD Backup from G4", I get this error message:
One or more items have special permissions and cannot be copied. Do you want to skip them?"
So every time this error cam up, I just kept hitting "continue". I am wondering if these files needing permission are necessary, because when I compared the original 0S 9.2 files to the files I copied inside the "Macintosh HD Backup from G4" folder, they seem to match up ok.
So, I tried to repair permissions just to be safe. I inserted the 9.2 install disk, pressed the "C" key to start from this disk, thinking I would see an option for repairing permissions in Disk First Aid, but there is no such option. Am I missing something?
Can I repair permissions for OS 9.2 from the OSX 10.0 Install Disk? (I am currently running 10.3.9).
What should I do? (This whole process seems to be taking forever!)
Thanks for your help.
Anneita

I am keeping all my backups from different operating systems in separate folders, i.e. OS 9.2 and OS 10.3.9 from my G4, and OSX 10.4.1 from my Mac Book Pro.
Hmmmm... I think this is where it gets messy. OSX wants files in special places (some hidden in normal use), with special permissions,and does not like to be dragged from place to place. This is why one uses a cloning tool. Usually when one wants to have multiple OSX versions on the same physical hard drive you have to partition the drive into a separate partition for each version of OSX. I think the only alternative would be to make a disk image and put items there (but they would not be bootable).
I don't know what's going on with OS9 unless it is getting caught up in the confusion generated by dragging system folders into places they don't want to be. In fact OS9's System Folder is pretty much to only one that will tolerate being dragged to another place, especially if you're only interested in using it as Classic. OS9 doesn't use permissions which is why you can't repair permissions on it. It also doesn't use invisible files unless a third party installer placed something there as invisible.

Can't repair permissions nor reinstall OS 10.5.6 Combo Update

I can't repair the permissions (below), not even when I boot from the install-DVD or another drive; also not with Disk Warrior or as a new user.
I have then tried to install the latest Combo-Update 10.5.6; but I get the message that I can't install on this volume, because it doesn't mach the needs (or something like that ...). I have all software updates installed allready.
Has anyone an idea how to fix those permissions? I don't really want to reinstall the whole system ...
These are the unfixable permissions (in German):
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/DVD.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSettings.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSources.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Movies.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Music.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Photos.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Podcasts.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/TV.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/CoreServices/RawCamera.bundle/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iLifeMediaBrowser.framework/Versions/A/CodeRes ources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/CodeResource s, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/BlackAndWhiteEffect.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/CubeTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/DissolveTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/DropletTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/FadeThroughBlackTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/FlipTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/MosaicFlipTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/MosaicFlipTransitionSmall.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/PageFlipTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/PushTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/RevealTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/SepiaEffect.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/TwirlTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Pl ugins/WipeTransition.IAPlugin/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-rw-r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-rw-r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Frameworks/InternetUtilities.bundle/Contents/C odeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-rw-r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-rw-r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Resources/iTunesHelper.app/Contents/CodeResour ces, Soll-Wert: -rw-rw-r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-rw-r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/AppleMobileD eviceHelper.app/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .
Die Zugriffsrechte unterscheiden sich für System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/AppleMobileS ync.app/Contents/CodeResources, Soll-Wert: -rw-r--r-- , Ist-Wert: lrw-r--r-- .

you wrote diskwarrior, is it 4.1.1 ?
if you one-click on the 10.5.6 installer (cmd-i, info) have you read & write permission?
i FORGOT: since front-row and ilife '09 update the permissions are always shown as yours; this seems to be "normal" at the moment.
same was with some coreservices about one year ago ..
so for this don't worry !
Message was edited by: Sascha H-K
Message was edited by: Sascha H-K
Message was edited by: Sascha H-K

Post 10.5.8 Update - can't repair permissions on external HD

Just had a rocky time updating to 10.5.8 on my iMac. Install took a long time and did 2 restarts.
Once back in business, Time Machine failed to back up saying I didn't have write permissions on my external WB 160GB drive connected by USB. Checked Get Info and indeed it had changed to read only permissions. This volume had worked with TM fine since it was connected in Feb this year.
A restart restored Read/Write and TM ran successfully, but took a long time to back up 1.3GB. Thought I would do repair permissions on this drive but both Verify and Repair disk permissions are greyed out.
It may be that they've always been greyed out and I've never noticed or checked?
Can advise whether this is normal to be unable to verify/check permissions on an external USB HD please??
thanks,
M

You cannot repair permissions on a non-startup drive because there are no permissions to repair. You can, however, repair the drive were it suffering some kind of directory failure.

IBook 14" - 10.5.7 update - can't repair permissions

My spare computer - an iBook 14" - 1.33 PPC - running 10.5.6
Did Software Update to 10.5.7. No peripherals connected.
First restarts - 3 Kernel Panics in a row - then normal start up, and several more normal starts since.
Using Disk Utility - can Verify Disk - "okay".
Verify Permissions and Repair Permissions - initially a little HDD activity evident - then nothing - sits there with blue and white striped thing whirling for an hour - nothing apparently happening.
Small HDD of 80GB with 60 free - only basic Apple Software installed - ie no Nortons or anything.
Any clues?
Ta.

Do a safe boot - hold down shift key on boot. At the login screen click restart and let it reboot normally.
Also if you used the autosoftware update, download the full combo update and reapply it manually.
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

Can't repair permissions on non-boot partitions

I have a new 27" iMac for which the Apple store transferred data, including disk partitions. My problem is that I am unable to edit a Final Cut Pro file because of "insufficient permissions", and the fix which worked in my G5 iMac--repairing permissions--is unavailable to me on partitions which are not my boot partition.
I've read other messages having to do with installation and permissions, but they seem to be a different issue. I'd appreciate help.
Thanks!
Marnie Montgomery

Having an image of a drive; having a bootable backup; not relying on one backup method... those for me are essential. Time Backup is secondary.
Having a small emergency only boot volume for running repairs and maintenance, essential and more important than anything.
Having a 2nd at least backup image: you can try out updates, new drivers or software first.
Why can't TimeMachine be cloned? or consider using two TimeMachine sets that you alternate. What if one goes out?
The first six months of TimeMachine was way too much "1.0" beta testing and flimsy for me, it made lots of mistakes. I won't even turn it on for automatic backups.
There are utilities to change the schedule now.
Spotlight is another, it too gets in the way while working and can hurt performance when editing and working. Seems to be an option missing "index while idle" or move the index to another location.
How good something is you don't want to find out not during easily sailing and good weather, but when a storm brews and rough sailing.
HFS+ doesn't even deal with or notice a disk sector is weak or gone bad or report it let alone attempt to map it out. Yes, the disk drive itself maybe should, but doesn't look like it happens. So add another $149 utility to the mix of Disk Warrior and SuperDuper, SoftRAID just for having a better driver (the days of people buying Silverlining or Hard Disk Toolkit being long gone).
Depends what you expect out of your hardware and system in the end.

How to fix? finder problems - apps quitting - can't repair permissions?

I don't really know where to begin. I downloaded a software update the other day, but can't remember what it was, and am anyway unsure if that's related.
Suddenly, several programs have started not launching. They'll hang, act strangely if they open at all, and often not launch, period.
And the problem is expanding.
I've done numerous hardware diagnostics, all coming back fine. I've defragged the disk.
I've attempted to verify and repair permissions, and every time, it hangs toward the end of the process, requiring a 'suicide'.
I live in Cambodia, so any solutions especially not requiring the purchase of software unavailable here (almost all of it) would be welcome, but any help in understanding the problem is appreciated.

If you have your installer disks then try this:
Boot from your OS X Installer. Be sure to use the installer for the version of OS X you have installed. After the installer loads select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (or Utilities menu if using Tiger.) After DU loads select your OS X volume from the list on the left, click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (3.0.3 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.0.6 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Defragging is unnecessary with Panther. Panther defrags automatically for files under 20 MBs in size. Furthermore, if you disk is damaged or corrupted in any way defraggin can worsen the problem to the point of having to erase and reinstall.
I hope you maintain backups.

Disk Utility can't repair permissions

For the first time I neglected to repair permissions before security upgrade and now I find I can no longer repair permissions. Everything goes as normal until about 75% done and then it just freezes. I have tried running it from the install CD but it does the same. I used the disk repair and got this error message;
ERROR: The underlying task reported failure on exit (~9972)
1 Volume could not be repaired.
Computer otherwise OK. AHT reported all OK.
Is this the start of an HD failure or some querky software malfunction? Help needed!
G4 867 MDD Mac OS X (10.3.9) Extra 120Gb HD, 1.75Gb SDRAM LG 4163B Superdrive

If my HD has developed a bad sector then surely a clone will not work?
My best guess is that the cloning would fail when it tried to access the data that's referenced in the bad directory node. I've had similar problems when trying to copy files when there were directory problems. You may not have a bad sector per se, but certainly the directory record is damaged in such a way that Disk Utility can't reconstruct the record.
If I moved all my APPS folder to another HD and then did a Zero and format on this one could I then still use the APPS folder with a new install by repairing permissions?
You have to remember that apps store files in other locations - particularly in the /Library, /System/Library/ and /Users/username/Library directories. While you can copy the Applications directory to another drive, you're liable to miss supporting files the apps are going to look for. Since there's no real way to determine what the damaged directory is referencing, you'd be chancing something's going to get missed and leave you with apps that won't run. The only way I've ever been able to find what directory erorrs were pointing to was to copy files to another drive one chunk at a time until I found the offending directory and then narrow down the search by copying files individually. Given the nature of OS X to store files in directories that are otherwise hidden from the user, this can be a complicated and tedious process.
Since Disk Utility running from the install disk can't repair the damaged directoy record, I'd go to the Disk Warrior repair strategy next.
-Douggo

Can't Repair Permissions and other issues

Just updated to 10.5.2 and started having some video problems. The laptop won't wake from sleep, or if it does, the screen may go blank again. Also, upon waking sometimes, the mouse seems sluggish almost as if there is a remote user. Tried repairing permissions and can't get it to repair permissions. Also, when I switch users or try to authorize installations, it tells me the user name or password of one of the administrator's is incorrect and I know it's not. Very strange things.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Did you backup your data before updating?

Can't update, can't repair permissions, what to do next?

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