max_tb

Q: recurring permissions errors after every reboot

Apologies if this has been covered but I am wondering why Disk Utility/Macintosh HD/Repair Permissions is constantly reporting the following:

Permissions differ on “Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Resources/Safari.help/Contents/Resources/inde x.html”; should be lrwxr-xr-x ; they are -rwxr-xr-x .

Repaired “Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Resources/Safari.help/Contents/Resources/inde x.html”

Group differs on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf.plist”; should be 80; group is 0.Repaired “

Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf.plist”

As you can see, DU repairs the files but these errors reappear with or without a reboot. Is this a sign of possible HD problems. If not, would you please advise how I should best correct the problems. Thank you in advance.

[Mac Mini - early 2009] [OSX 10.9.5 13F34] [Default Install - no dual boot - no VM] [single user account]

Mac mini, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Oct 5, 2014 5:51 AM

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Q: recurring permissions errors after every reboot

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  • by arthur,Solvedanswer

    arthur arthur Oct 5, 2014 6:09 AM in response to max_tb
    Level 5 (5,193 points)
    iBooks
    Oct 5, 2014 6:09 AM in response to max_tb

    If your Mac is not exhibiting any dysfunctional signs or symptoms I would ignore these permissions messages. Disk Utility sometimes reports things that are not problems.

    Some would recommend a monthly prophylactic (i.e., in the absence of symptoms) permissions repair and HD repair with DU, but you don't need to keep checking your permissions otherwise. You probably don't need to do the monthly check either.

  • by max_tb,Helpful

    max_tb max_tb Oct 5, 2014 6:25 AM in response to arthur
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 5, 2014 6:25 AM in response to arthur

    @arthur: Thank you for your speedy reply. In general, the Mac is working perfectly but the reason I have been running permissions repair recently is due to some anomolies in the Finder. Frequently, and getting more frequent, is the spinning umbrella when using Finder to go to local volumes & folders. There are no specific sequences that cause the delay but it was my guess (and it was a guess only) that I might be having some kind of HDD problem. This is a fairly fresh install - within the last few weeks and apart from the default install apps, nothing else has been put on the system.

    If as you say, these are "run home to mama" messages, then I will ignore them unless I see a more dramatic degradation.

    Thank you.

  • by Eric Root,Helpful

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 5, 2014 10:58 AM in response to max_tb
    Level 9 (73,431 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 5, 2014 10:58 AM in response to max_tb