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Level 1

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Permissions Problem

Hello all newbie here. I thought I would best post my own question instead of embedding it in another person's question.

I installed Leopard this weekend and now have a permissions problem. The folders of my hard drive are now set to 'custom access', and when I try to delete files, it now asks me for my admin password. This did not happen before in Tiger.

1) The computer normally logs in with my username (I am also the admin).

2) I checked info on the "Macintosh HD" icon, and the sharing and permissions information says "You can read and write", the users in the list below that are: "system" with privileges "read and write", "admin" with privileges "read and write", and "everyone" with priveliges "read only".

3) When I check the folders in the hard drive, eg my pictures, the sharing and permissions information says "You have custom access". The users in the list below that are: "my username (me)" with privilges "read and write", "unknown" with privileges "read only", and "everyone" with privileges "read only".

It seems that the computer does not recognize me as admin? I have run the repair permissions to no avail.

I read the topic: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6890815&#6890815 and ran the terminal suggested by joshz, but nothing changed.

Thank you for your attention.

imac core2duo 17inch 2ghz 2gb ram, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 5, 2008 2:05 AM

20 replies

fayjon99 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2008 7:37 AM in response to RodneyW

Dear Rodney and V.K......

It seems as it has partially worked.. I can rename some files and folders, and I have "read and write" permission!! YAY!!!

But, for some folders such as "System" and "Users" folder, my privileges are only "Read".. Is this normal?

Should I run V.K's commandline:sudo chmod -R -N ~ ?
And should I run the other two lines which I have yet to do?

2) *chmod +a "everyone deny delete" ~/ ~/Desktop ~/Documents ~/Downloads ~/Library ~/Movies ~/Music ~/Pictures ~/Public ~/Sites*

3 *chmod +a "`id -un` allow list,add file,search,delete,add_subdirectory,delete_child,readattr,writeattr,readextattr, writeextattr,readsecurity,writesecurity,chown,file_inherit,directoryinherit" ~/Public/Drop\ Box*

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

May 5, 2008 7:47 AM in response to fayjon99

fayjon99 wrote:
Dear Rodney and V.K......

It seems as it has partially worked.. I can rename some files and folders, and I have "read and write" permission!! YAY!!!

But, for some folders such as "System" and "Users" folder, my privileges are only "Read".. Is this normal?

That's how it should be.

Should I run V.K's commandline:sudo chmod -R -N ~ ?

yes, just in case.

And should I run the other two lines which I have yet to do?

2) *chmod +a "everyone deny delete" ~/ ~/Desktop ~/Documents ~/Downloads ~/Library ~/Movies ~/Music ~/Pictures ~/Public ~/Sites*

3 *chmod +a "`id -un` allow list,add file,search,delete,add_subdirectory,delete_child,readattr,writeattr,readextattr, writeextattr,readsecurity,writesecurity,chown,file_inherit,directoryinherit" ~/Public/Drop\ Box*

yes, do run those after you've done

sudo chmod -R -N ~

Message was edited by: V.K.

RodneyW

Level 4

3,035 points

May 5, 2008 7:46 AM in response to fayjon99

It is normal to have "read only" for System and Users. No worries there!

You should run the other commands to restore your system to the standard set up. It will help to prevent you from accidentally deleting your Desktop, Documents etc. folders.

Cheers,

Rodney

fayjon99 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2008 8:08 AM in response to V.K.

Thank you V.K and Rodney!

I ran the command lines on terminal and this is what the result says:

*Last login: Mon May 5 16:55:43 on console*
*Macintosh:~ my-username$ sudo chmod -R -N ~*

*WARNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss*
*or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your*
*typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information.*

*To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort.*

Password:
*chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Commands: Invalid argument*
*chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Notification: Invalid argument*
*Macintosh:~ my-username$ chmod +a "everyone deny delete" ~/ ~/Desktop ~/Documents ~/Downloads ~/Library ~/Movies ~/Music ~/Pictures ~/Public ~/Sites*
*Macintosh:~ my-username$ chmod +a "`id -un` allow list,add file,search,delete,add_subdirectory,delete_child,readattr,writeattr,readextattr, writeextattr,readsecurity,writesecurity,chown,file_inherit,directoryinherit" ~/Public/Drop\ Box*
*Macintosh:~ my-username$*

It was a great pleasure being doubleteamed by the two of you!! I think this has resolved my problem.. although the " *sudo chmod -R -N ~* " command still gave the invalid arguement answer.. is that ok?

Rodney, I will next run the "workgroup manager" to fix the "unknown" user group.

fayjon99 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2008 8:11 AM in response to RodneyW

I don't know how to make your post "solved" also 😟 since both you and V.K fixed my problem! Thanks so much!!

Permissions Problem