Trying to copy folders from a time machine back up but the operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access certain files

Good morning,
I am trying to compy some folder from my time machine back up onto my desktop and I have changed the privilige for my back up to read and write...but it;s still not letting my copy the files. How come?

See Pondini's TM FAQs for starters.

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Can't save multiple folders to external drive. Get: "The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items." when dragging large folders to mac os extended journalled external drive from OS 10.6.8

Hi
I am feeling VERY desperate!
After losing an external drive [dont ask....] -   I got another one : 2TB WD formatted properly [ OS extended journalled for mac ] ready for action to move my thousands of files and images and ppts in hundreds of folders across from the laptop to this drive because I travel a bit with the laptop and this is too risky not to back up at home.
But this message came up after starting on moving folders across [** and not straight away, sometimes after moving a folder when 4 of 6 gb of files across then the message comes up = very frustrating]:
"The operation can’t be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items."
I am dragging mixed sometimes large complex folders to this os extended journalled external drive from my mac book pro OS 10.6.8 - it would take decades to move items one by one or even folder by folder and really confusing.
I have dragged-copied various small folders and files across successfully, but it is only working 50:50 and I can't leave machine with the idea of things copying eg: overnight - it just won't work....
I have been browsing google and find some people describing in CODE how they overcome this 'message'   .... but I [and I guess some other viewers of this in future & also in desperation] would need instructions for beginners.... to try this type of thing. I don't know any code.
How can this be happening - I feel ANGRY at APPLE !!!! for not posting easy fix instructions yet re; this, or better still updating software so it doesn't happen [ that I can find at least !!! ] .   There seem to be hundreds of people stuck with this stupid message and inability to back up their projects etc.
Can anyone help ?
Many thanks
Julie
15 August 2011

hi Samberl
thanks a lot for the fast reply.
I was dragging folders from main folders on the laptop-desktop onto the external drive icon - to copy them across....
Your suggestion sounds very promising - I didn't know about 'cloning'.
Yes the idea is to backup the laptop -    I thought I would just move it all now, new - and then keep saving/dragging physically   across to the new drive myself each day or two...
Would this be the sizeof the internal hard drive = c.500 gb ?   =   under the HD icon on desktop is written :
" 499.76gb , 311.5 gb free "
I can erase and start agin on the new external drive - so this plan is to make two partititions, rather than the one at present, and make one of them 500 gb ?
I have found CCC [carbon copy cloner] googling - looks good.
When CCC site says it backs up the hard drive - would this mean all my files [over 100 gb] that are mostly in folders on the desktop, plus the others in itunes, iphotos etc found in the HD icon, would all copy across successfully [wherever they are in the computer ] ?
thanks again, hope you can clarify these things and then I will go for it.
It would be great and amazing if this 'lack of permission' message doesn't show up in the process of doing this ccc transfer - hopeful!
Julie

I get this error code when trying to update from an older version of Firefox: The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items.

While trying to upgrade from a previous version of Firefox, I get this error code: "The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items."
== installing ==
== User Agent ==
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Getting The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access "iPhoto Library". when copy from old leopard timemachine backup

Getting The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access “iPhoto Library”. when copy from old leopard timemachine backup.
any help?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
See > http://pondini.org/TM/E9.html

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When i try to copy my iphoto library to my external hard drive i get this error message, The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items.

iphoto 8.1.2
os x 10.6.8
I'm on a macbook 2ghz processor and 2gb memory
my iphoto library is about 80gb
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And critically
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Hi..
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I just wanted to update firefox and it won't let me. I drag the icon into applications, then a window ask me if I want to replace older version. I click yes and the window mentioned above appears. I purchased this computer new, I'm the only owner. Why would I not give myself permission to do something on my own computer.

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Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the DMG file to the desktop
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* Firefox 3.6.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html
* Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
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Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder], so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.

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https://discussions.apple.com/message/20971272#20971272

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OT

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Read Cor-el instruction here
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Solved:
sudo chflags 0 /Volumes/"FCP Time Machine BU"
sudo chown 0:80 /Volumes/"FCP Time Machine BU"
sudo chmod 775 /Volumes/"FCP Time Machine BU"
sudo chmod -N /Volumes/"FCP Time Machine BU"

Trying to copy folders from a time machine back up but the operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access certain files

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