Repair Permissions - Drive or Volume?

Promise not to laugh, OK?
When one occasionally performs Repair Permissions, should you perform it on the drive, or the volume?
Is anything possibly "missed" by performing it on the volume only? Or vice versa?

That's normal. The partition map takes up some of the space on the drive, so a single volume that fills the drive will never be as large as the drive itself. Similarly, a volume has all kinds of data structures for keeping track of files, so it will never have as much free space as the size of the volume's partition.
Note that repairing permissions only repairs the permissions of system files and applications with known permissions. All that extra stuff is completely irrelevant. If you need to repair the disk structures, you need to use Repair Disk instead of Repair Permissions.

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Disk Utility: Can Repair Permissions = no. Why?

Disk Utility: Can Repair Permissions = no
Why?

It might help a little more if you would explain your situation enough so that people can make a guess what the problem might be. My guess is that the Repair Permissions button is grayed out - you can only repair permissions on a volume that has OSX installed on it. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106712 for more information.

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!

Which volume to repair permissions?

Perhaps this is a dumb question -- but there are none of those, right -- but which volume do I select when I repair permissions? There are two there. One says Macintosh HD (Mac OS Extended Journaled) the other says 37.3 GB Fujitsu MHT20. I usually do the process on both of them. Is this necessary?
Thanks in advance...

but which volume do I select when I repair permissions?
You can select either. Unless you've partitioned the drive, both of those items are treated the same for most tasks.
Is this necessary?
No.
(30895)

I am unable to print anything since installing the latest driver for my epson stylus rx640. I have followed epson's advice by doing repair permissions, but I still can't print anything. Can anybody suggest anything?

Can't print with my Epson stylus RX 640 since the latest apple software update for epson. Since then I completely reinstalled the printer following epson's advice. It worked. But today, I am trying to print some photos and nothing happens. Epson suggest resetting and then doing some repair permissions. Done that and still no joy. Can anyone help please.

contact Epson again and ask them about using a generic Gutenprint driver; I read in one of the threads here - but can't find it right now - about a problem with your model printer. Since Epson has not updated its driver to work with SL on this older model, it appears using a generic driver does work. You might also try searching for those threads by typing your model number into the search box.

After trying to change permissions on my computer so others on my network can access files, my external Hard Drive has a lock on it and I can't access files. I've tried repairing permissions, logging in under another Administrator account, using Terminal

After trying to change permissions on my computer so others on my network can grab files, my external Hard Drive has a lock on it and I can't access files. I've tried repairing permissions, logging in under another Administrator account, using Terminal to fix the problem, downloaded BatChmod but nothing works… Any other suggestions? I have an Imac running OS10.6.8.

There is suddenly a lock icon on my external backup drive!
Custom Permissions

I have downloaded Mountain Lion and Time Machine says that my Free Agent Goflex (Seagate) external 2gb drive cannot be used as it is read only. I tried disc utility to repair permissions but that block is greyed out. The disc verifies as being OKI

Since installing Mountain Lion, Time Machine says says that my Free Agent Goflex (Seagate) external 2gb drive cannot be used as it is read only. I tried disc utility to repair permissions but that block is greyed out. The disc verifies as being OKI What next?

Ok, I solved this problem! I ejected the drive and then disconnected it both from the power supply and the USB connector. I then reconnected everything and powered it up again and Then went into TM preferences and chose the drive as the backup. TM did a new backup (well over an hour) and now works as advertised.

External drives won't mount after running repair permissions

None of my external drives will mount after running disk permissions. Drives work fine on my mbpro.
None of the external drives show up in disk utilities...
I've try shutting down and unplugging computer. even mini zip drives won't mount.
I'm running 10.4.11
PPC G5 2.3Ghz
Thanks for any help..

Repairing Permission only deals with installer receipts and system components. Not with mounting or accessing hard drives.
Have your run Apple DU First Aid? Disk Warrior? Only use latest version for your OS.
Are you trying to clone your system to external and then repairing permissions? trying to boot from them?
If cloning, make sure the "Ignore Ownership" flag is unchecked before cloning (but do repair permissions on external drives you intend to boot from, such as a Firewire drive).
What type of cases and interface are these?

Can no longer repair permissions using firewire drive

attempting to boot from a firewire drive with 10.6 to repair permissions of a different 10.6 drive no longer works.
even though there's an OS on the drive, when launching Disk Utility, the Repair Permissions button is completely greyed out unless you select the actual boot drive
looks like we might now ONLY be able to repair permissions using the 10.6 boot disc

attempting to boot from a firewire drive with 10.6 to repair permissions of a different 10.6 drive no longer works.
even though there's an OS on the drive, when launching Disk Utility, the Repair Permissions button is completely greyed out unless you select the actual boot drive
looks like we might now ONLY be able to repair permissions using the 10.6 boot disc

Cant repair permissions on hard drive

I have a 1 TB hard drive that I installed and for some reason I can not repair permissions on it. It does not let me choose it in disk utility.
anyone know how I can rapair the permissions?

I am running 10.5.7
Only the OS (if any) installed on the 1TB drive matters. Whatever systems you might have installed on other drives or partitions doesn't.
(52672)

Repairing permissions - Error: No valid packages(?!) Wha?

Computer's been doing strange things lately. Not recognizing my airport signal (none of my neighbor's wireless signals either); not recognizing any printers when time to print; no quicktime playback; some sent and received emails lost in space, etc. So I'm getting ready for an archive and install when I think I'll try repairing permissions first. Verifying disk says volume is fine. But i get an immediate error of no valid packages for repairing permissions. Anyone know what this means and how to rectify it?

First "Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, 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. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Verify & Repair if needed, then use Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751
Where are we now after a reboot?

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 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

Should I repair permissions before or after updating to Mac OS X 10.7.2?

Hi,
Should I repair permissions before or after updating to Mac OS X 10.7.2? or should I fix permissions before and after the update?

This is not a routine maintenance. Upgrades can be screwed up if the system that is upgraded is screwed up. I believe in a "better safe than sorry" approach. If you repair permissions and the hard drive prior to an upgrade then if there be a problem perhaps that problem will not propagate to the new upgraded system. If there are no problems doing the repairs is harmless.
When it comes to the topic of permissions repairs there are many opinions but not much fact. In other words there doesn't appear to be a formal analysis of whether repairing permissions is only useful when a permissions problem arises. But there is a lot of anecdotal evidence suggesting that a repair both before and after a major system upgrade can reduce the risk of problems.
This is my opinion on the matter. I do not generally disagree with Niel or MacJack, but as I said I prefer to be safe rather than sorry.
Here's my general approach:
How to Install Lion Successfully - You must have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or 10.6.8 Installed
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) 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 restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.3.) if DW cannot fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the backup volume. Source means the internal startup volume.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade to Lion:
Purchase the Lion Installer from the Mac App Store. The download will start quickly. Lion is nearly 4 GBs so a fast internet connection is essential. Download time could run upwards of 4 hours depending upon network conditions and server demands at the time.
Boot From The Lion Installer which is located in your Applications folder.
Follow instructions for installation.

When I repair disk permissions I get the following:Repairing permissions for "MacIntosh HD" Determining correct file permissions. Permissions differ on ./Library/Widgets, should be drwxr-xr-x , they are drwxrwxr-x Owner and group corrected on ./Library/W

Repairing permissions for “MacIntosh HD”
Determining correct file permissions.
Permissions differ on ./Library/Widgets, should be drwxr-xr-x , they are drwxrwxr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./Library/Widgets
Permissions corrected on ./Library/Widgets
Permissions differ on ./System/Library/User Template, should be drwx------ , they are drwxr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./System/Library/User Template
Permissions corrected on ./System/Library/User Template
Group differs on ./usr/bin/fetchmail, should be 0, group is 6
Permissions differ on ./usr/bin/fetchmail, should be -rwxr-xr-x , they are -rwxr-sr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/bin/fetchmail
Permissions corrected on ./usr/bin/fetchmail
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/Makefile.global, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/Makefile.global
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/Makefile.global
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/acinclude.m4, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/acinclude.m4
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/acinclude.m4
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/mkdep.awk, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/mkdep.awk
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/mkdep.awk
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/phpize.m4, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/phpize.m4
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/phpize.m4
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/scan_makefile_in.awk, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/scan_makefile_in.awk
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/php/build/scan_makefile_in.awk
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib, should be -r-xr-xr-x , they are -rwxr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib
Permissions corrected on ./usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib
Permissions differ on ./usr/libexec/dumpemacs, should be -r-sr-xr-x , they are -r-xr-xr-x
Owner and group corrected on ./usr/libexec/dumpemacs
Permissions corrected on ./usr/libexec/dumpemacs
Permissions repair complete
The privileges have been verified or repaired on the selected volume
Then I sometimes get the brown screen that states,You must re-start your computer.
I have already zeroed out the hard drive and re-installed Panther and the upgrade Tiger disc.
I repair permissions using the Tiger disc upgrade.
Can anyone help me with this??

> I repair permissions using the Tiger disc upgrade.
One thing to note... When running Repair Disk Permissions, it is best to run it while started up normally, from your normal startup disk, not from a Mac OS X installation disc. The only time you should run it while started up from an installation disc is if some problem is preventing you from starting up normally. OTOH, Repair Disk can only be used when starting up from a different disk (such as an installation disc).
So, I would start up normally, run Disk Utility, and use Repair Disk Permissions on your normal startup disk.
NOTE: Repair Disk Permissions often gives alerts messages that can be ignored. They are more "informational," not serious errors.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448
You should still run it periodically. When you run it, what needs to be repaired has been repaired; consider the rest of it an FYI. I've never experience a problem, where a Repair Disk Permissions message actually caused a problem. But, if you ever get an error while running Repair Disk (or Verify Disk), that is usually a serious problem.

Repair Permissions - Drive or Volume?

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