This is what I did: permissions nightmare

Question

This is what I did (and why)
Why: I want my wife an I to have full access to each other's documents, music, etc.
What I did:
-made new administrator account
-changed 'Sharing and permissions' on my files (MacHD\Users\ME)
-added my wife with read/write permissions
-applied to enclosed items
-removed 'staff' as a user (don't ask why)
-applied to enclosed items
Well there you have it. I screwed up the permissions on every folder on my main user account. Software is acting funny. Battlefield 2142 won't even think about running.
Is there a method to fixing this?
How do I back up my files without keeping the screwed up permissions.
-Mark

Answer 1

yes, there is a method to fixing it but don't do it again. sytem created folders often have hidden 'deny delete ACLs" and using "apply to enclosed items button propagates them to everything inside.
First use this [link|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1334?viewlocale=en_US].
This will almost fix it. Unfortunately, the ACL resetting tool on the leopard install DVD is buggy itself (this is not mentioned in that link) and messes up the group ownership on everything it touches.
Therefore, once you are done, run the following terminal command:
chgrp -R `id -gn` ~
Post back if you have further problems.