Q: Cannot modify files after copying them from old backup to fresh Yosemite installation
I have a new MacBook Pro with fresh Yosemite installation.
I decided to copy files from my old (Snow Leopard) Time Machine backup manually, because I wanted just some files copied, not everything. So I've created a new user, with same names exactly, as was my old one, and copied old backup files into it.
After copying, I've realized, that I cannot modify almost any of those files without Authenticating, or even at all. I cannot change the default program to open the file,some apps cannot save preferences (I've copied some old prefs too), deleting or moving files always requires Authentication, and I don't know what more...
I've tried this "sudo chown -Rv username directory" command (found it in this thread: Root user and permissions), but it didn't help...
I've checked the permissions - they are all ok, I ran permissions fix also from Disk Utility - didn't help.
I'm quite frustrated, as I need to work tomorrow... any solution?
Thanks
MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)
Posted on May 26, 2015 4:27 PM
WOW! I found a fix finally. I didn't want to go into Terminal experiments any more - wasn't sure how to use the xattr command precisely, but it gave me some ideas. So I googled a little more and found a simple app "Permissions Reset" http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/31741/permissions-reset
I ran it and voila! after 1 minute all is fixed!
I think that the problem was in messed up Snow Leopard permissions - I believe - removing the ACLs, resetting the permissions, and resetting ownership together did the job.
Posted on May 27, 2015 9:46 AM