Repeated problem with symbolic link ./tmp- private/tmp

Question

Hello,
I'm running 10.4.11 on an iMac G5. In the last few days, I have a series of weird problems -- inability to sync my iPod Touch, error message from the SuperDuper backup program, Cocktail rejecting my system password -- that seem to be related to permissions and temp files. Each time I encounter one of these problems, I repair permissions, and each time it reports the same thing:
Symbolic link ./tmp->private/tmp repaired
This seems to solve the problem temporarily, but then it happens again.
I've tried repairing the disk (no problems found). Any other suggestions, short of an archive and re-install?
Thanks
Ben

Answer 1

Thanks. I downloaded Applejack and ran it on AUTO as you suggested. As far as I can tell the only problem it found was the same -- or a related -- issue with the private/tmp folder, but it's not clear to me whether it has been solved in a more permanent way. Can you learn anything useful from the log below?
If it was a hardware problem, what time of problem would it be?
best
Ben
**************** Sat Oct 10 14:50:15 EDT 2009: NEW LOG STARTED ****************
******************************************************************** * AppleJack 1.5, Revision: 1.123 * * Copyright (c) 2002-8 Kristofer Widholm, The Apotek * Sat Oct 10 14:50:15 EDT 2009. Gathering information... Running in automatic mode, deep clean on, with manual exit - User ID: 0, NAME: root || - OS Version: 10.4.11 - Looking for virtual memory directory in /etc/rc - Virtual memory directory appears to be /private/var/vm. - Local root filesystem is journaled AppleJack will repair disks in 10 seconds. Disk repair Success! Either your disk had no errors, or it was repaired successfully. Done with disk repairs -0- AppleJack will repair permissions in 10 seconds. Permissions repair Let's mount the startup file system for write access...
Done.
Checking for /tmp directory:
/tmp directory does not exist!
Creating symbolic link from /tmp to /private/tmp:
/tmp -> /private/tmp
All set.
Done.
Configuring minimal Tiger services...
Done. -0-
Started verify/repair permissions on disk disk0s3 Macintosh HD
Determining correct file permissions.
The privileges have been verified or repaired on the selected volume
Verify/repair finished permissions on disk disk0s3 Macintosh HD
Permissions have been repaired. -0-
AppleJack will cleanup cache files in 10 seconds.
Cache file cleanup
[...really long list of cache files removed because I can't get this message to post...]
Done removing system cache files.
Done with cache file clean up task.
AppleJack will validate preference files in 10 seconds.
Validating preference files
Root file system already mounted. Continue.
Checking mach init preference files (/etc/mach_init.d)):
Done. -0-
Checking root preference files (/var/root/Library/Preferences)):
Done. -0-
Checking system preference files (/Library/Preferences)):
Done. -0-
AppleJack will clean up virtual memory in 10 seconds.
Virtual memory cleanup
Removing swap files:
/private/var/vm/swapfile0
/private/var/vm/swapfile1
Done.
Removing VM working sets:
Done.
Exiting the script.
Restarting Ben.local
********************* GOODBYE FROM APPLEJACK *********************