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innolavoro

Q: Problem with PLIST files

I did a mistake and I moved all the files from the directory system/library/launchdeamons and system/library/launchagents to other 2 directories with the same name, but on my desktop

of course, my OS is not starting anymore, and shows me only the grey screen with the big apple and the rotating circle

I tried to start the mac using CMD+S and using the function cp -r to copy all the files from the desktop folder into the original directory, but it doesn't let me do it because it says that they are read-only system files

Does anyone know hot to help me?

Thank you very much

macbook pro 15"

Posted on Sep 15, 2010 9:13 AM

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Q: Problem with PLIST files

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  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 15, 2010 9:26 AM in response to innolavoro
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2010 9:26 AM in response to innolavoro
    Welcome to Apple Discussions

    Yes, you created a big problem. Do you have a backup?
    That was a yes, I hope?



    -mj
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 15, 2010 9:28 AM in response to innolavoro
    Level 10 (270,283 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2010 9:28 AM in response to innolavoro
    Try booting into single-user mode. If you are successful then at the prompt enter the following:
    /sbin/mount -uw /
    mv /Users/yourusername/Desktop/LaunchAgents /System/Library/
    mv /Users/yourusername/Desktop/LaunchDaemons /System/Library/
    reboot
    Press RETURN after each of the above command lines.

    Write down or print out the above to be sure you enter them correctly. Note carefully where the spaces are and observe the case.
  • by innolavoro,

    innolavoro innolavoro Sep 15, 2010 10:00 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2010 10:00 AM in response to Kappy
    I didn't do any backup, but I just moved the files to the same dir, but in desktop

    I used the command line commands you wrote me: I moved the launchDaemons and launchagents folder in the correct position, but the launchdaemons folder in system/library/ is now empty
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 15, 2010 10:11 AM in response to innolavoro
    Level 10 (270,283 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2010 10:11 AM in response to innolavoro
    Perhaps you deleted its contents when you were moving things around? I assume the other folder is not empty, right?

    BTW there is a lesson here: Don't mess around inside the System folder or do any moving, renaming, or deleting of anything unless you know the consequence of the action. You should never be inside the System folder unless you know what you are doing.

    If you don't have any backup from which you might restore these two (or one) items, then you will need to reinstall OS X unless you want to scrounge through the installer DVD using Pacifist to find them and reinstall them. See the following for how:

    How to Use Pacifist to Replace 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 from VersionTracker or MacUpdate. 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.)

    A. Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.

    B. Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.

    C. 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

    Message was edited by: Kappy
  • by innolavoro,

    innolavoro innolavoro Sep 15, 2010 10:48 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2010 10:48 AM in response to Kappy
    OH MY GOD IT WORKED

    KAPPY, THANK YOU SO MUCH

    I WILL NEVER SAY YOU THANKYOU ENOUGH TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'M SUPER HAPPY!!!!!

    THANK YOUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE MY SYSTEM BACK!!!!!

    THANKYOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 15, 2010 10:53 AM in response to innolavoro
    Level 10 (270,283 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2010 10:53 AM in response to innolavoro
    Goodness. It's my pleasure to help.
  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Sep 15, 2010 11:00 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2010 11:00 AM in response to Kappy
    Nice work, Kappy!



    -mj
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 15, 2010 11:10 AM in response to macjack
    Level 10 (270,283 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2010 11:10 AM in response to macjack
    Thanks ,mj. I appreciate the compliment.

    Kappy