Oh No! Deleted private folder.
Oh no! I deleted the private folder. Now my disk is locked.
I cannot reinstall Mountain Lion because I don't have enough disk space. How can I clear disk space to reinstall Mountain Lion, and will this fix my problem?
Well, I'd suggest a full backup, either with Time Machine or a bootable clone (both on an external drive). You are using your Mac with how little empty space? If you install ML, you still need an absolute minimum of 10 - 15 GB free space after that install.
So, if it's no longer locked and you are using it, I would first get rid of some files I do not need or just move some space hogging files (videos, music, pics) to an external drive. After you've made sure they're there and are working, throw them in the trash a few at a time on your internal and empty the trash often. Do this until you have 15 GB free space plus 5 GB for the Mountain lion install (total of 20 GB free and available).
After that, backup your entire system as suggested above.
Only after you've done all of the above, go ahead and download/install Mountain lion. Upgrades do not fix problems - they actually usually become exaggerated from the upgrade, so make sure your OS is in good condition before proceeding.
Similar Messages
-
Macbook with deleted "private folder"
I don't know if this is the right place to put this, but it's the closest topic to my problem.
So my sister decided to install Adium, and while using Adium, she installed Growl. Growl started doing weird things, and she panicked, and for some reason deleted the "private" folder. Now, her macbook is stuck at the gray apple logo with the spinning gear. It'll hang up there for a while, then restart and do the same thing again.
She has an XP partition, so she's on that until we fix it. However, she left the Macbook's system restore disks at another place, and it'll take about a week for it to get here.
Is there anything she can do to fix this problem without boot disks so she can get on?Hanlin Du wrote:
Is there anything she can do to fix this problem without boot disks so she can get on?
No. Unless you have a SuperDuper or CCC bootable clone.
Even your TM backup is useless without the original disks. This is why we make a backup copy of the system DVDs. -
Help Please - Accidentally Deleted Private Folder
Please could someone help.
I have accidentally deleted the Private folder in the root of the HD
Now OSX will not boot.
The folder is sitting in my Trash folder and I would like from the Boot CD Terminal to copy back from the trash to the Macintosh HD/ location
Any help is greatly appreciated.
MimNot quite: If MimUK's account shortname is (for example): mimuk
then it would be within that account's Trash, namely, you'll have to (yes) boot from another volume (not sure this will work booted from CD, but it might), *mount the drive in read+write mode*
ie (possibly requiring sudo, depending on circumstances):
sudo mount -uw /Volumes/nameOfTheDriveInQuestion
sudo mv /Users/mimuk/.Trash/private /Volumes/nameOfTheDriveInQuestion/
Moral of this story: don't make hidden folders visible for reasons just such as this
And in any case, don't delete something unless you know full well what it's for. -
i by mistake messed with my n8's private folder however i had a backup of it so i restored it,but all of my apps are found missing.in insatlled folder its showing that apps
Tried after restarting the phone?
If the folder is from mass memory chances are less but from memory card should be ok.
-------------------If this post helped you, click on accept as solution.------------------
-----------------------------Appreciate by clicking on white star.---------------------------- -
Deleted the 'private' folder and cleared
So...
Like many others, I've accidentially deleted the 'private' folder while I was trying to figure out what'y taking up the spaces in my 15'' Retina. To add the problem, I've even managed to completely removed the deleted 'private' folder from the trash and poof, no more! So, I was wondering if there are any solutions to this, I've read other posts regarding issues such as mine, however, everyone else seems fortunate enough to haven't completely removed it from their computer. I'm thinking of bringing my MBPr to the local Apple Store and do something about it,
Any recommendations?
Cheers,So...
Like many others, I've accidentially deleted the 'private' folder while I was trying to figure out what'y taking up the spaces in my 15'' Retina. To add the problem, I've even managed to completely removed the deleted 'private' folder from the trash and poof, no more! So, I was wondering if there are any solutions to this, I've read other posts regarding issues such as mine, however, everyone else seems fortunate enough to haven't completely removed it from their computer. I'm thinking of bringing my MBPr to the local Apple Store and do something about it,
Any recommendations?
Cheers, -
Mac OS 10.5 /
I deleted the " Private" folder ... and emptied the trash. So the folder and its contents no longer exists on my computer at all !!!
I do have the OS 10.5 dvd that i purchased years ago...
But my computer will not start from it on its own.
My question is what is the open source or terminal language code used to tell my mac to look in the DVD rom drive for startup info? I know that im not the only person in this world who has deleted the "PRIVATE" folder and emptied the trash so it no longer exists on their machine...
That said theres gotta be a common fix for a Power PC G4 that has the OS X dvd in the rom drive but wont look to it to reinstall the vital contents of the PRIVATE folder.
Once again there is not a copy of this file or its contents in the recycle bin...
Also rebooting the machine , pressing and holding the letter C does not prompt the machine to look to the dvd rom drive.
I was reinstalling pro tools and figured I would make some room by cleaning my computers HD...
Lol It was a bad choice to delete this file ...
Thanks guysOkay sorry it took forever to respond... But for a while there I gave up on this computer!!!!
Money's been tight lately , so taking it in to a professional was not yet an option... though I did consider it eventhough.
Anyway long story short im glad I didnt spend any money because I already had all the tools necessary to fix this issue but was going about it in the wrong way. Okay so here is my scenario and the breakdown... Though this may not fix the issue for everyone :( which *****... But I know we all will have different circumstances.
Anyway here we go...
Okay so first things first.... Years ago I purchased the OS 10.5.1 disk ... So that has always been in my possession!!!!
I realize that some may not have a disk to reflash your OS to your hard drive... but if you do your in luck.
2ndly ... I had an external harddrive with all of my itunes downloaded music so it was more than okay with me to delete my primary HD because all the important stuff could either be copied over or repathed to be located.
-------If you dont want to read through the whole story the fix is summed up in the bottom section-------
Okay so now the SOLUTION!!!!
By trial and error , and pure boredom I opened up my computer to clean the inside...
AND
"Disconnected the primary HD"
and just because ....... REBOOTED my computer. Just to see what it would do.
Upon restart and though it looked like it would repeat its usual cycle...
About 1 minute in to that process my computer froze for about 2 seconds and flashed to the OS installation screen.
Mind you I havent seen this screen yet... Probably hasnt been since I installed the OS years ago.
After a bit of trial and error...
I decided to tell my computer to startup from the OS 10.5 disk located in my dvd rom drive and restarted once again...
this setting is under
Utilities / startup disk
After a little more trial and error ... I realized that I could reconnect the primary HD , restart the machine and return to the OS installation menu.
So upon this discovery
I went to the Disk Utility located under Utilities
Highlighted my primary HD located in the left hand column
Once highlighted ...
In the heading section on the right I selected the option
Erase
in which I erased My current OS on my primary HD ...
I used the first option in the list under security... Because it seemed like the least invasive and would take the least amount of time to see if this process would actually work.
I FORGOT to add something...
Another reason why I deleted my primary HD!!!!!
I forgot to say that it WOULD NOT!!!!! Show up in the STARTUP list as an option...Even After multiple reboots....
But like clockwork... Once I deleted its name IT SHOWED UP as an option!!!!
So back to the next step...
I returned to the STARTUP option under utilities ... And was then able to see MY primary HD now as a startup option...
But ofcourse it had no name because it we previously erased it.
So when Clicking my newly erased HD ... I was almost immediately prompted to REINSTALL the OS ...
Which said it would take about 57 minutes ... But I believe was alot less...
My issue was resolved ... My computer then stated the install was SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!! :))))))))))) lol ;)
It was like I was setting up for the first time ;) asking for my registration info...
The dilemma of deleting the private folder and emptying the trash is finally over resolved. Done ... and no extra money spent!!!!!!!!!
Its really crazy that the information for such a simple thing is not readily available. Especially being such a simple fix.
I know im not the only person who's had this issue , because i've seen numerous posts with similar wording.
I also know I wont be the last person to have this issue... So I hope this synopsis makes sense.
-------One more time the fix------
*Insert your OS dvd into your dvd rom drive.
*Unplug your primary HD or corrupted startup disk
*Reboot your machine...
Upon restart your primary HD will not be recognized...
* you will then be prompted to select your language.
Once selected
*Click Utilities/startup... Highlight the the selection that refers to the OS dvd located in the dvd rom drive.
* Click restart...
!!!!!!!!!!Be sure to reconnect your Primary HD Before your computer restarts and you hear the chime!!!!!!!!
If you do not replug your HD before the chime it will not be recognized.
In that case restart again.
Upon restart once again
*Choose your language...
*Click Utilities / disk utility
In the left column select and
*Highlight your HD ...
Then towards the top portion / center of the page
*Click the heading Erase
Then on the page toward the bottom
*Click security options
This will then provide erase options.
I USED THE FIRST OPTION
"Dont erase data"...
*click OK
* click erase...
Once erased which should take a few seconds
*Cancel the disk utility...
* Click Utilities / startup
And your newly erased HD should now appear in the list.
* Select your drive from the list by highlighting
It should no longer have a name.
*Once selected, you will then be prompted to restart and install the OS to your newly erased HD...
Thats it!!!!
Once everything reinstalls re-add your personal info or registration info and you are up and running.
Goodluck ;) -
i have deleted my private folder and do not have enough space to reinstall my operating system. How can i transfer files from my hard drive to an USB drive to free up space when the operating system isn't working. or do i need to erase disk through disk utilities without erasing data (but will it delete my programs such as photoshop, office, creative suite?
Connect the computer to another Mac and put it in FireWire Target Disk mode, or use the Disk Utility to clone the drive or image specific folders with the USB drive as the target. After you've copied off everything you want, you'll likely need to erase the drive and reinstall the applications.
(69695) -
I deleted my private folder how do I restore it without losing everything?
I restored my system through time capsule and everything was fine. I was browsing my hard drive labeled "Macintosh HD" a short time ago and noticed a folder called "private".
This is a folder I have never seen before, and foolishly I just deleted it. It is still sitting in my recycle bin, but when I click "put back" or try and copy and paste it back into its original spot it prompts for my administrator password. For some reason it is not accepting my administrator password, I don't know why it isn't, but it isn't.
I have since read that it is very bad to delete the "private" folder however I really can't afford right now to reinstall another time capsule backup and lose more downtime.
How can I replace my private folder? I have a Snow Leopard install disk on hand, and the computer is still running. If I restart my computer without fixing anything it's going to probably not start up because I trashed this important folder. Is there a way I can re-copy this folder from my Snow Leopard install disk or from my time capsule backup?
And for some reason now Terminal is not working, it must be, because the private folder has been deleted..
NEED HELP!yes, it's very bad to touch this folder and the reason your admin password is not working is because this folder contains some important files governing how an admin password can be used. you can put it back by booting from the SL install DVD and doing it from there using terminal.
insert the install DVd, reboot and hold "c" at the chime. this will boot you into SL installer. once there start terminal from Utilities menu and enter the following command
cp -rf /Volumes/"drive name"/Users/username/.Trash/private /Volumes/"drive name"
put the name of your main hard drive in two places in that command. KEEP the quotes. also put the short name of your user instead of username in the command. It's VERY important to enter the command correctly. mind the spaces in the command.
to verify that the command worked run
ls -la /Volumes/"drive name"/private
after it's done. it should list the contents of the copied folder. -
Deleted contents of Private folder
Hi, I accidentally deleted the contents of my Private folder and now, off course, my MacBook pro won't start.
I did not empty the trash, the Private folder is still in its place, but empty :/
Can you please post some instructions to help me get out of this mess?Is the message like this:
If so, that's a kernel panic.
They are usually caused by hardware problems, but can be software, especially kernel extensions.
Start by running this: Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test. Run the Extended tests(that may take an hour or so, depending on how much RAM you have). Write down any error code(s) it shows.
If that doesn't show a problem, see this Apple article: If “You need to restart your computer” appears -
Deleted private/var/db folder.... Can't boot
Hi, first I know that what I did was stupid but I didnt know what I was doing.. and I still don’t know what are the consequences.
In order to save space on my MBP 2011 Snow Leopard, I deleted private/var/db folder, yes the whole folder to the trashbin and then I emptied it. Files that were in use weren´t deleted.
So I rebooted and the screen is stuck on apple logo with the turning wheel and safe boot start normally but end up with the turning wheel too.
How can I put fix this issue?
Can I recover the files deleted ? Or at least put back the files that are still in the trash bin ?
Thank you for any help.If they borrow a disc it's possible to replace just the deleted directory using Pacifist:
How Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
A few of the basic OS X installed applications can be restored from the Optional Installs installer located in the Optional installs folder on your Installer DVD. However, if what you need is not there then follow the instructions below.
How to Use Pacifist to Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
Insert the OS X Installer DVD into the optical drive. Use a simple utility like TinkerTool to toggle invisibility so you can see invisible items. Alternatively, open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder and at the prompt enter the following:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles Yes
Press RETURN.
To turn off the display of invisible files repeat the above command substituting No for Yes.
The install packages are located in the /System/Installation/ folder on the DVD.
Download the shareware utility Pacifist. Use it to extract a fresh copy of the missing item(s) from the file archives on your OS X installation DVD. The file archives are in the /System/Installations/ folder (use Go to Folder option in the Go menu of the Finder.)
Here are Four Basic ways to use Pacifist (courtesy of George Orville.)
Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
Insert Mac OS X installer CD and when it mounts, navigate to .... Menu->Go->Go to Folder. In the path field enter or paste ....
/Volumes/disc name/System/Installation/Packages (where disc name is the name of the CD/DVD that you inserted.)
Click on the "Go" button ..... • Drag a .pkg to Pacifist..... proceed to step 7.
The package you'll need will have to be discovered by trial and error, but for most applications you should start with the Essentials.pkg and/or Additional Essentials.pkg.
D. Insert your Mac OS X install disk 1 .... and open Pacifist.
1. In Pacifist, select "Open Mac OS X Install Packages" ... dialog may appear asking for disk 2, then disk 3 and finally disk 1 again.... {if DVD is not used)...If “Stop Loading” is selected...the procedure will stop!!!
2a. When loading is complete, a new window appears, click the triangle to display contents of each package...Select item and proceed to step 7.
2b. or click the “Find” icon in the Pacifist window and type the name of the software you need.
3. In the list that comes back, click the top most entry for the item that you want. ..... that is the one for the English language.
4. On the top of the Pacifist window, click “verify” .... you will probably be prompted for your password.
5. Enter checks for.... “verify permissions” and “verify file contents.” and click “verify” ....enter password when prompted.... you will get back output which may look like this:
20 files were scanned. 20 of 20 files were present on the hard disk. 0 of 20 files had file permissions that did not match those specified in the package. 0 of 20 files had checksums that did not match those specified in the package.
6. Click “close”. Go to step 7.
Extract or Install........
7. In the Toolbar (upper left), you now have the option to extract or install. Click a file in the lower list and those two icons will be enabled.
8. If “Extract to...” is selected.... navigate to the location where the file will be placed, select “choose”, select “extract” in new dialog that appears,authenicate , if prompted, click “OK”.
9. In the next dialog, click “Extract”.
10. If “Install” is selected... dialog will appear with the location/path of the installed software. Click “Install”
11. Type in your password, click “OK”
Pacifist will begin to extract files.
12. In steps 8/10ß.... you also have the choice to “cancel”
Notes: Pacifist may find that a file it is installing already exists on the hard disk. Pacifist will present you with an alert panel....
Stop
Leave original alone
Update .....
Default selection
Replace .... (Replace option should only be used on full install packages) -
Private Folder - What can I delete?
So my Private folder contains about 56 GB of my hardrive. Most of it is in Private/var/log/asl (53 GB).
What is this used for?
Can I delete it without problems? At least the asl part?The "private" folder is part of the Unix side of OS X. Deleting anything would not be wise. The "asl" folder contains a record of everything that has been installed on your computer. It is what Software Update relies on to determine what upgrades are required, if any. However, 53 GBs in the folder seems a bit odd. Perhaps you could peak inside the folder to see what particular file(s) is using so much disk space. Although deleting the contents of the "asl" folder won't cause great harm, it will cause Software Update and other applications to "forget" what's been installed or updated.
-
Error in Creation of Private folder in Easy DMS
Dear Friends,
I got the following error while creating private folder for a new user.
Folder Creation failed; check the logs under SLG1 Tx for more information.
While checking SLG1 transaction in SAP I found the following info for the user:
Identification
Object________________ CIF (Core Interface Application Log Object)
Subobject_____________ T_CLAF (Classification)
External ID___________
Log number____________ 00000000000003867077
Created:
Date__________________ 20100628
Time__________________ 095056
User__________________ DMS_USER4
Transaction code______
Program_______________ SAPLCIFG
Operating mode________ D (Dialog processing)
Status:
Expiry date___________ 20100705
Keep until expiry_____
Processing status_____
Regards,
Sai KrishnaHi Sai,
I hope that the documentation of the authorization object C_STUE_BER could be useful for you.
This authorization object allows you to restrict maintenance of bills of material.
The system checks this authorization when you call a transaction for maintaining bills of material. If the authorization group is changed while the BOM is being maintained, the system checks the authorization again.
Defined fields
The table below shows the fields and values of the authorization object.
Fields Possible Description
ACTVT 01 Create
(Activity) 02 Change
03 Display
06 Delete
24 Create archive file
41 Delete from database
STLTY M Material BOM
(BOM cat.) E Equipment BOM
D Document structure
K Sales order BOM
S Standard BOM
T Functional location BOM
STLAN These values are defined in Customizing.
(BOM usage)
BEGRU 0000-ZZZZ Used to make additional
(Authorization restrictions on authorizations
group) for maintaining individual BOMs
(BOM header).
In transaction SU56 you can also display the whole authorization of an user regarding its authorizations.
Best regards,
Christoph -
Error Renaming/Deleting a folder!
Hi Guys -
I am having problem renaming and deleteing any folder. The functions return false each time and no delete or rename is done. Can anyone spot what I am doing wrong? Here are the tow methods for this functionality:
public boolean renameFolder(String oldName, String newName) {
try {
boolean result = false;
Folder folderToBeRenamed = getFolder(oldName);
if (folderToBeRenamed.exists()) {
if (folderToBeRenamed.isOpen())
folderToBeRenamed.close(false);
result = folderToBeRenamed.renameTo(f1);
if (!result)
EL.writeError("UserStore: renameFolder: Error while renaming folder!");
else
EL.writeError("UserStore: renameFolder: Folder does not exists!");
if (result)
updateFolderNames();
return(result);
catch (Exception ex) {
EL.writeError("UserStore: deleteFolder: "+ex.getMessage());
return(false);
public boolean deleteFolder(String folderName) {
try {
boolean result = false;
Folder folderToBeRemoved = getFolder(folderPrefix+userFolderPrefix+folderName);
if (folderToBeRemoved.exists()) {
if (folderToBeRemoved.isOpen())
folderToBeRemoved.close(true);
result = folderToBeRemoved.delete(false);
if (!result)
EL.writeError("UserStore: deleteFolder: Error while deleting folder!");
if (result)
updateFolderNames();
return(result);
catch (Exception ex) {
EL.writeError("UserStore: renameFolder: "+ex.getMessage());
return(false);
Thanks guys! I'll look forward to your comments!I've never tried renaming a folder but here is the class I use to delete one and move its contents to a deleted items folder.
=================================
import java.util.*;
import java.util.Properties;
import java.net.*;
import java.io.*;
import java.lang.*;
import javax.mail.*;
import javax.mail.internet.*;
import javax.activation.*;
public class EmailDeleteFolder06 {
String timeoutVal = "5000";
public String deleteFolder(String url, String srcFolder, int timeout) {
String timeoutVal = "" + timeout;
return deleteFolder(url,srcFolder);
public String deleteFolder(String url, String srcFolder) {
String destFolder = "Deleted";
return movemessages(url,srcFolder,destFolder);
private String movemessages(String url, String srcFolder, String destFolder) {
String messageString = "Folder Deleted<br>(The messages in this folder have been moved to the Deleted folder.)";
Properties props = System.getProperties();
props.put("mail.imap.connectiontimeout",timeoutVal);
props.put("mail.imap.timeout",timeoutVal);
Session session = Session.getInstance(props,null);
Store store = null;
Folder sourceF = null;
Folder destinationF = null;
try {
URLName urln = new URLName(url);
store = session.getStore(urln);
store.connect();
sourceF = store.getFolder(srcFolder);
destinationF = store.getFolder(destFolder);
sourceF.open(Folder.READ_WRITE);
destinationF.open(Folder.READ_WRITE);
Message[] msgs = sourceF.getMessages();
sourceF.copyMessages(msgs,destinationF);
} catch (Exception moveF2) {
moveF2.printStackTrace();
messageString = "An error occured while deleting the folder.";
try {
sourceF.close(true);
destinationF.close(true);
sourceF.delete(true);
store.close();
} catch (Exception closeExc)
closeExc.printStackTrace();
messageString = "An error occured while deleting the folder.";
return messageString;
} -
Theres 67.29GB memory just gone missing on my mac out of no where. I ran disk inventory X and it said that theres a private folder thats 64.9GB, does anyone know what this is and can i delete it??
first, DO NOT delete this folder. this is a necessary system folder. deleting it will make your system inoperable. you likely have some runaway logs in /private/var or possibly some huge log files. see this link on what to check for
http://homepage.mac.com/francines/articles/TigerMisc.html -
"private" folder on root directory of hard drive???
Ever since I resored my system using TimeMachine I've noticed now I have a "private" folder on my hard drive that wasn't there before? Is it safe to delete it, because whatever it is, I don't want it where it is. - I want it like before when whatever "private" is was not there.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
ScottHi There
Under no circumstance should you delete the private folder, it contains vital operating system files. It is usually hidden by the system but for some reason it has become visible in the course of the Time Machine restore. You can use a utility like MacPilot to hide this folder again.
J.C
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