Failure to install any software updates

Question

Im having trouble trying to install the updates i want from software updates. And this is the error message that keeps coming up that I do not have the permission to do so. I looked into the log and here is the message:
Sep 17 20:16:58 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: Failed to unarchive staged request at /var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/Cleanup At Startup/PKInstallSandbox-tmp/Staging/RequestKeyed
Sep 17 20:16:58 selenas-macbook Software Update[263]: Calculated need 1518.098 MB; 401383.612 MB free; 401383.612 MB available with MTM reclaim
Sep 17 20:16:59 selenas-macbook Software Update[262]: Acquired Lock: 501, 263, 0
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: ----- Begin install -----
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: request=PKInstallRequest <4 packages, destination=/>
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: packages=(
              "PKLeopardPackage <file://localhost/Library/Updates/091-7277/JavaEssentials.pkg>",
              "PKLeopardPackage <file://localhost/Library/Updates/091-7277/JavaForOSX.pkg>",
              "PKLeopardPackage <file://localhost/Library/Updates/091-7277/JavaSecurity.pkg>",
              "PKLeopardPackage <file://localhost/Library/Updates/091-7277/JavaMDNS.pkg>"
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: Failed to unarchive staged request at /var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/Cleanup At Startup/PKInstallSandbox-tmp/Staging/RequestKeyed
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: Removing stale staged install
Sep 17 20:17:33 selenas-macbook installd[267]: PackageKit: Install Failed: Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=513 "“PKInstallSandbox-tmp” couldn’t be removed because you don’t have permission to access it." UserInfo=0x1074309e0 {NSFilePath=/var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/Cleanup At Startup/PKInstallSandbox-tmp, NSUserStringVariant=(
              Remove
          ), NSUnderlyingError=0x107419810 "The operation couldn’t be completed. Directory not empty"} {
              NSFilePath = "/var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/Cleanup At Startup/PKInstallSandbox-tmp";
              NSUnderlyingError = "Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=66 \"The operation couldn\U2019t be completed. Directory not empty\"";
              NSUserStringVariant =     (
                  Remove
Sep 17 20:17:34 selenas-macbook Software Update[262]: Releasing Lock: 501, 263, 0
Sep 17 20:17:34 selenas-macbook Software Update[263]: Error: “PKInstallSandbox-tmp” couldn’t be removed because you don’t have permission to access it. (NSCocoaErrorDomain code 513)
please help?

Answer 1

If it appears to be time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.
First I'd do this...
Free up another 10 GB of Space, then...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.