How to Unlock a Disk Partition

Question

How to Unlock a Disk Partition

I have somehow managed to lock a partition on an external HD. How do I unlock this? At present I have no access to the disk and simply get a message each time telling me that I do not have permission to view the contents.

Message was edited by: John Hutcheson

MBP 2.66ghz; iMac 3.06ghz; G4/450, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on May 29, 2010 4:57 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Stanley Horwitz

Level 4

2,741 points

May 29, 2010 6:11 AM in response to John Hutcheson

If the disk partition is not mounted, then first open up Disk Utility and mount it. If it does not mount, there are other problems besides the partition being locked. If it does mount, right-click on it, and get info. Down at the bottom of the get info window, you will see a check box for the lock. Make sure that check box is not checked. You will probably be prompted for the administrator password when you make this change.

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

May 29, 2010 7:04 AM in response to John Hutcheson

Add yourself to the list for ownership in get info.

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Answer 3

May 29, 2010 7:52 AM in response to John Hutcheson

Found the solution. Checked the partition in PathFinder and was able to change the locked option in that app. PF must do some naughty things in the background!

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Answer 4

May 29, 2010 6:30 AM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Thanks, but that does not work. The partition mounts along with the other 2 partitions on the HDD. 'Unlocking' the protection with the admin password does not allow anything to be modified. Unlike other folders, etc. there is no 'locked' checkbox beneath the 'shared folder' check box.........which is the box that I think you mean?

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Answer 5

May 29, 2010 6:39 AM in response to Stanley Horwitz

Yes, it was formatted as Mac OS Extended and it is used as a backup. There is a load of files on it. I have been using it until this morning when I noticed that it was locked. It may have been because it was being used by another Mac, but now I can't get access to it.

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Answer 6

May 29, 2010 6:33 AM in response to John Hutcheson

How was that partition formatted? Is there any data on it yet?

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Answer 7

May 29, 2010 7:20 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks, I have tried that but it does not allow it. Neither can I change permissions in the Sharing Prefs.

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Answer 8

Jul 30, 2010 1:02 AM in response to John Hutcheson

I have this problem too! any further suggestion to solve it?

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