Newbie questions - Repair permissions?

Everyone on this forum talks about "repair permissions" - What is this? How do I do it? Why would I need to?
Thanks

Since people very rarely actually answer the question of what permissions are and why to repair them, I've put together a page about it. Hopefully it can clarify things a bit (or at least eventually evolve to do so . Check out http://www.bjoreman.com/permissions
20" Core Duo iMac, 12" Rev A Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Similar Messages

Urgent: Solaris newbie question: group permissions etc

Hi
I have a question on what is the best practice of working with solaris users and permissions. I'm using Solaris 10 and have created several users each with their home directory in /export/home. Then i have installed the sun webserver under /export/home/sun/webserver and i want all users to be able to use this, execute or copy over to the webserver.. would this be a valid solution or good practice solution tht i crete a group give it the permissions to read/write/execute and all the users i want to give this privilege to will be under this group. but then whats the use of having root like how would root user be different from the rest now...
thanks...

If you just want them to be able to publish to the web, apache has a little built in script in the httpd.conf that will hook in a user directory. Read the /etc/apache/httpd.conf file for more info.
Whether this is best practice I am not sure. What you suggest will work but I would avoid it.

Question on repairing permissions

I have a current problem where every time I restart my MBP (2.6ghz, early 08) the desktop picture goes to a picture I used a few months back. I tried deleting a couple of the preference panes that relate to desktop to no avail. I ended up moving that picture from it's location in the pictures folder and then upon restart, the default starry picture was used instead of the current one I have selected. I did some poking around here and saw a mention of repairing permissions to help with that problem. So I did and I end up with some warnings that I am unsure of their meaning. Can anyone offer some insight into the entirety of the situation, desktop and the warnings?
repair log here.
http://gallery.me.com/audiofyl/100098/Picture-204_2/web.jpg

Audiofyl wrote:
I have a current problem where every time I restart my MBP (2.6ghz, early 08) the desktop picture goes to a picture I used a few months back.
I tried deleting a couple of the preference panes that relate to desktop
In general, I'd consider that to be a bad idea. The preference panes don't contain those settings, just the software that allows them to be manipulated.
Try trashing the file com.apple.desktop.plist in the folder <yourhome>/Library/Preferences .
[permissions] repair log here.
http://gallery.me.com/audiofyl/100098/Picture-204_2/web.jpg
You can ignore any permissions warning messages that complain about "-rw ..." vs "lrw ..." mismatches.

Verify and repair permissions questions from wierdness

Good morning
I'm getting ready to upgrade to the snow cat but !!!!
I went into disk utility with 10.5.8 to verify and repiar perimissions and I now have a list disk utility won't touch, eg, "permissions differ system/library/coreservice/airport base station agent ..... " and others but the ones that really worry me are showing up in history like "Warning SUID file "system/library/filesystems/appleshare/afpload" has been modified and cannot be repaired.
I haven't start up from the OSx disk to repair permissions but from the Hd.
Any advice out there ?
thanks

Worry not!
Permissions you can ignore on 10.5:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448?viewlocale=en_US
using 'should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r--' as an example, you will see the that the permissions are not changed, but the | indicates a different location. This is because an update to Leopard changed the location of a number of system components.

Quick Question re Permissions Repair and Accounts

Does a permissions repair apply across all user accounts? A friend has one account they can't access (sticks after log-in screen) but other accounts that they can. As a first try I want to suggest they try and repair permissions but not sure if this will work for the account they can't log-in to being run from one they can?
Thanks in advance.
David

Repair Permissions only affects system files used by all users, so is unlikely to fix a problem that only affects one user. That user may have a bad login item ("Accounts" system preference"). Try starting in Safe Mode.
<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393>

Question about permissions repair

I repaired permissions and one thing that I got was:
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/ARDAg ent" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Should I be concered?

this message is harmless and should be ignored. everybody gets it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448

Repair Permissions questions

Just did my monthly Repair Permissions. Today, for some reason, it took about 5 minutes. Usually this is a 30 second procedure. I noticed that there are about 10 items that end with "has been modified and will not be repaired." Things that end in "readconfig," "writeconfig," "runner," "DiskManagementTool," "Locum."
They all originate out of System/Library/PrivateFrameworks or System/Library/CoreServices.
What's that all about?????????
I do this monthly Repair Permissions routinely as suggested years ago.
Thanks.
Frank

Those, as has been covered here before, common and harmless. Some people report that most go away if you download the standalone 10.5.1 updater and reinstall, but at least one such message will persist and it is, per Apple, something you can ignore.

A question on repairing permissions

I would like to paste the results after I ran repair permissions. Can someone tell me how to do that?
thanks

After repairing permissions several times on my I-mac and wife's Macbook I keep getting these same messages on both machines. Since I don't know what any of this means the last line is what most concerns me.
Repairing permissions for “Macintosh HD”
Permissions differ on "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Classes/jconsole.ja r", should be lrwxr-xr-x , they are lrw-r--r-- .
Repaired "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Classes/jconsole.ja r".
User differs on "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home/lib", should be 0, user is 95.
Repaired "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home/lib".
User differs on "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Libraries", should be 0, user is 95.
Repaired "System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Libraries".
Permissions differ on "System/Library/Java/Support/Deploy.bundle/Contents/Resources/JavaPluginCocoa.b undle/Contents/Resources/Java/deploy.jar", should be lrwxr-xr-x , they are lrw-r--r-- .
Repaired "System/Library/Java/Support/Deploy.bundle/Contents/Resources/JavaPluginCocoa.b undle/Contents/Resources/Java/deploy.jar".
Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Classes/jconsole.jar ", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
Repaired "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Classes/jconsole.jar ".
User differs on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Home/lib", should be 95, user is 0.
Repaired "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Home/lib".
User differs on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Libraries", should be 95, user is 0.
Repaired "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Libraries".
Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Resources/JavaPlugin Cocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Java/deploy.jar", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
Repaired "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Resources/JavaPlugin Cocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Java/deploy.jar".
Permissions differ on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Resources/JavaPlugin Cocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Java/libdeploy.jnilib", should be -rwxr-xr-x , they are lrwxr-xr-x .
Repaired "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6.0/Resources/JavaPlugin Cocoa.bundle/Contents/Resources/Java/libdeploy.jnilib".
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/ARDAg ent" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Permissions repair complete
Thank for the help
Clif

Repairing permissions before and after updating software

What is the reason to repair permissions before and after updating software? This may sound like a stupid question to many of you, but I am new to computers and I am trying to learn how and why of some of the things of my PowerBook. I installed some updates without repairing permissions. Did I install some software updates the wrong way? Thank you.

This is a topic which will draw as many emphatic for and against responses as overnight shut down or not, defrag or not, optimise or not, and so on.
I agree with Neil. I believe that OS X has progressed sufficiently that repair permissions has become redundant and so I do not do it on any regular basis.
Some folk may refer you to an Apple Support Article 303602. That Article in its 4 May 2006 version, titled "Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Mac in Top Form" suggested Repair Permissions should be done "after upgrading or installing new software". The Article was however revised on 15 May 2006 to be titled "Top Tips to Keep Your Mac in Top Form" and the item on Repair Permissions [along with two other recommended maintenance tips] was removed. It is my view that the conclusion to be drawn here is that Apple no longer considers Repair Permissions to be a required maintenance procedure.
Many users have adopted a "Repair Permissions" mantra for a cure-all over several years. I dropped it sometime in 10.3.
But, to each his own.
HTH
TiPB 867 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Weird Message from Repairing Permissions

Had a new iMac for about a month.
For a lark I did a repair permsissions - mainly as a speed test.
I got a message that "CoreServices...as been changed. Unable to repair"
(Yes, "has" was mispelled)
Hovering over the line showed that the file in question was in Apple's Remote Desktop .App
I wouldn't necessarily care, but this screams security issue.
I have installed:
Rosetta
I partitioned with Boot Camp, but I have not used it yet.
The only non-Apple Apps are a driver for a USB sound interface
Adobe PhotoShop Elements
The older version (PPC)of Microsoft Office (2005?)
Quicken and Turbo Tax
Is this a common error?

There are numerous but innocuous messages reported by Disk Utility when repairing permissions. See the following: Mac OS X 10.5- Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore.
These messages will occur each time you repair permissions, and they may be safely ignored.

Can you run Tiger and OS 8.6 on the same computer? RE: Repair Permissions

Hello,
I don't fully understand how "Repair Permissions" work and when it is needed and therefore I would like to post this question for some clarification. Using "Repair Permissions" for troubleshooting is a controversial issue. I read this interesting opinion about Repairing Permissions and now I am concerned that it may not be safe for me to install my old OS 8.6 on my OSX installed computer due to a "permission" conflict between OS 8 and OS X.
Could someone confirm this with me please? Could this cause some file permission problems?
I would use OS 8.6 to run my older Adobe Illustrator 8 application and photoshop 6. And then I will boot onto Tiger for everything else. I would switch a few times per day back and forth.
Basically, is it safe to run Tiger on the same computer that has OS 8.6 installed on it? (I am not concerned about making 8.6 run in the Classic environment because I know that doesn't work - I am refering to having separate bootable installs)
[1] http://www.unsanity.org/archives/000410.php
PS I am aware of how to change my startup OS on this particular computer (b&w G3). I would have to have the two OSs on the same volume and launch X by pressing x -key during startup due to the fact that OS 8.6 doesn't have the Startup Disk feature introduced in OS 9. That was an earlier separate discussion that has since been solved.
PS
I could choose to instead use my OS 9.2 but I have reserved that OS for another computer unfortunately. However depending on the outcome of this post, I might have to reconsider.

This is a really difficult issue to resolve! Apple doesn't have much documentation that covers running OS 8 & OS X on the same drive. There are, however, a few things that it might helpful to know:
1. Repairing permissions with Disk Utility in OS X won't touch user-created files. It only repairs things that have a receipt file, which are created by installers. The unsanity reference explains this; you might want to review that part of the article again.
2. Disk Utility has a separate repair OS 9 permissions function (accessed in the menus), but AFAIK, this only repairs permissions on the OS 9 system folder "blessed" by the Classic system pref as the one to use for Classic. I doubt this would be useful for the OS 8.6 system.
3. Of greater concern than mis-set permissions is file system damage. Under no circumstances should you use any disk repair utility on a Tiger drive except those that "know" about Tiger's file structure. This rules out using Disk First Aid from either OS 8 or OS 9, or any OS 8 or 9 third party utilities. (See this Apple document for the details.) I don't know if this also applies to OS 8's 'rebuild desktop' function, but I would avoid it to be on the safe side.
4. If you do decide to reformat or partition your drive for dual booting (as you mentioned in your other thread), do so only with Tiger's Disk Utility & remember to check the 'install OS 9 drivers' option or you won't be able to boot into OS 8 or 9, even if you have a viable system folder for either on the drive. See this Apple document for more info.
5. In light of the above, it is well worth getting OS 9 to use with Tiger on your B&W, as long as any older apps you need to run are compatible with it. (There should be no need to use OS 8/9 with text files anyway, since OS X can handle all the old text formats.) In fact, unless you need to use some peripheral that has no OS X driver, you probably will do just fine by using Classic with the old apps, eliminating the need to reboot completely.
6. If you need to buy OS 9, one inexpensive source is OWC's Mac OS 9.1 - OEM CD. At $35, it is a cheap way to avoid the headaches of OS 8 with Tiger! Note that you can upgrade from this 9.1 version to 9.2.2 for free with Apple's updates available from the Mac OS 9: Available Updates web page.
Message was edited by: R C-R

MacBook Pro Hard Drive Repair/Permissions Problems

My MacBook Pro (2.2GHz) wouldn't start. I was getting the grey screen with the Apple logo and the spinning wheel that never stops. Tried zapping the PRAM. Tried holding down the shift key. No luck.
So I finally booted from the Leopard Install CD. No problem. Figured I'd use the Disk Utility to repair the disk. I get the following two problems every time:
REPAIR DISK PERMISSIONS:
Repairing Permissions for "GROOVY"
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit
REPAIR DISK:
Checking Catalog File
incorrect block count for file pcscd.pub
(it should be 16 instead of 17)
Every time I re-launch the computer, using the Leopard CD, I get the same two problems. Can't repair permissions at all. And I get the same "incorrect block count for file pcscd.pub" error when trying to Repair Disk. Even though Disk Utility appeared to repair that problem (and then recheck it) the last time.
Anyway I was able to use Firewire Target Disk Mode to copy all my files to my PowerMac G4. While I was connected I also used DiskWarrior. Seemed to repair the disk with no problems.
So at this point I've pretty much resigned myself to doing an Archive and Install. Unfortunately I've tried it twice and I keep getting this:
INSTALL FAILED
Mac OS X could not be installed on your computer
The installer could not install some files in "/Volumes/GROOVY". Contact the software manufacturer for assistance.
Click restart to restart your computer and try again.
Now I'm going to try wiping the disk and doing a fresh install. If that doesn't work I guess I'll have to call Apple. Anybody else having similar problems?
Thanks,
LT

As I understand it, you can't fix a failing SMART status. Believe me I tried on my iBook! I was originally under the impression that DiskWarrior and Tech Tool Pro could fix anything, but I now understand that they and Disk Utility can only repair the directory. As it was explained to me, SMART was set up to give warning of hard drive failure so that you could rescue your data before the hard drive dies altogether. You can disable it I think, but that's like putting black tape over the warning light in your car that lights up if you are running out of oil--possible to do, but not a good idea.
So if your SMART status is failing, then the only cure is to replace the hard drive. The hard drive can work for a while, but it's on its way out.
Here's a little background information on SMART status:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000184.htm
And I hope this was just a rhetorical question!

Repairing permissions gives me tons of errors

I've been having trouble opening some apps (i.e Activity Monitor) so I figured I should repair my permissions. When I do so, I get a HUGE amount of errors, I'll include just a very small portion of them below.
Any idea how to fix it?
Thanks!
Repairing permissions for “Mac OS X”
Determining correct file permissions.
Permissions differ on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS/Address Book, should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rwxr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS/Address Book
Permissions not corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/MacOS/Address Book, reason Operation not permitted
Permissions differ on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/MailInviteBundle.bundle/Contents/MacOS/MailInviteBu ndle, should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rwxr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/MailInviteBundle.bundle/Contents/MacOS/MailInviteBu ndle
Permissions not corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/MailInviteBundle.bundle/Contents/MacOS/MailInviteBu ndle, reason Operation not permitted
Permissions differ on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/Telephony.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Telephony, should be -rwxrwxr-x , they are -rwxr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/Telephony.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Telephony
Permissions not corrected on ./Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/Telephony.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Telephony, reason Operation not permitted

There is also this article on resolving permissions issues:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106712
As for your question about reinstalling without losing preferences, yes, it is called an Archive and Install:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301270
None, if you upgraded Mac OS X since you initially got the machine, it is more difficult to archive and install, as newer applications may not work right with the older operating system.
I would still though backup your data before doing it as my FAQ explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Even a corrupted backup is better than none, as critical data files can be rescued if there is an issue.

Repair Permissions this is the usual errors...

Hello,
Would anyone be able to tell me why, and how to correct these errors that constantly show each time I go into Utilities and run the check? I have no idea why these constantly happen....
Thank you in advance,
Neil Schwartz
Howell, NJ
Verifying permissions for “Macintosh HD”
Permissions differ on “Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin”; should be lrwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xr-x .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/Audio”; should be 202; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/Audio”; should be drwxrwxr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/DirectoryService”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration”; should be 80; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/CaptiveNetworkSupport”; should be 80; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/CaptiveNetworkSupport”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/CaptiveNetworkSupport/Settings.plist”; should be 80; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/CaptiveNetworkSupport/Settings.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist”; should be 80; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/Xsan”; should be drwxr-xr-x ; they are drwxr-xrwx .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.AirPortBaseStationAgent.launchd”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.ByteRangeLocking.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Group differs on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf.plist”; should be 80; group is 0.
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.dockfixup.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.xsanmgrd.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/org.postgresql.postgres.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
ACL found but not expected on “private/var/root/Library”
ACL found but not expected on “private/var/root/Library/Preferences”
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.P2PSupervisor.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.airport.opproam.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions differ on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.security.appsandbox.plist”; should be -rw-r--r-- ; they are -rw-r--rw- .
Permissions verification complete
Repairing permissions for “Macintosh HD”

Thank you Mr. MartinR,
This makes me feel better just knowing... I run this once every two months, just to make sure everything is in check.
You have answered my question and I am completly satisfied with you answere!
Thank you again for your support and kindness...
Sincerely,
Neil Schwartz

Repairing Permissions and Got this Message????

Hi,
MacBook has been acting up lately. Just little things like stalling when opening aps and just plain iffy. Decided to repair permissions tonight and got these messages which looked unlike anything I'd seen in seven years of Mac ownership. Can anyone tell me if these are serious?
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/ARDAg ent" has been modified and will not be repaired.
User differs on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home/lib/jvm.cfg", should be 0, user is 95.
User differs on "System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Libraries/classlist" , should be 0, user is 95.

I am on the edge of a breakdown with Leopard. I went through the headaches as listed in a bunch of other threads with Permissions corruption... after doing all of the suggested Terminal tweaks and still having my machine not work, I finally had enough, erased the hard drive and clean installed 10.5. Ran the permissions check in disc utility and all was good. Upgraded to 10.5.1, noticed my machine was sluggish... ran permissions check again and got...
Repairing permissions for “PowerbookHD”
Warning: SUID file "usr/libexec/load_hdi" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskManagement.framework/Versions/A/Resources /DiskManagementTool" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DesktopServicesPriv.framework/Versions/A/Reso urces/Locum" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Install.framework/Versions/A/Resources/runner " has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Admin.framework/Versions/A/Resources/readconf ig" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Admin.framework/Versions/A/Resources/writecon fig" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "usr/libexec/authopen" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/Resources/OwnerGroupTool" has been modified and will not be repaired.
My Powerbook G4 1.67GHz is running poorly now. I have not done anything except install 10.5, then update (manually downloading the installer and running it) to 10.5.1.
I also tried to get onto iChat, as soon as I selected the video button, iChat blew up, the computer froze completely... probably was a kernel crash.
Hullllppp?
jc, I know you said these SUID warnings have been around for a long time, I am another who has never seen them before.
The question is... WHY are they here now? They are telling us that something is wrong that can't be fixed with Disc Utility.
Any suggestions?
Thanks a bunch in Advance.
Matt

Newbie questions - Repair permissions?

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