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Can't change permissions

Leopard 10.5.8, Power Mac G4 MDD DP 1.0 GHz, 1.5 GB RAM

I am not sure where to post this, but I think it should be here. The problem manifested itself when I tried to authorize music in iTunes 10.2.1. Would not allow me too. I think because /Users/Shared folder is missing or I have no access. Also, iTunes launches with a warning “An unknown error occurred (-50)”. This error appears at various other times as well.

My login account is an admin account. I tried the Apple recommendations:
· In the Finder, choose Go to Folder from the Go menu.
· Type: "/Users" (without quotes) and click Go.

**Warning: The folder cannot be found**

I then opened terminal and entered:

sudo mkdir -p /Users/Shared/
return
entered password
return

mkdir: /Users/Shared: Operation not permitted

Somehow, it seems it do not have proper permissions for access to my User folder. I ran ‘repair permissions’ and received:

Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/Shared
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/.localized
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/Shared/.localized

I logged in again as ‘root’ and ran ‘repair permissions’ again and received:

Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/Shared
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/.localized
Open error 1: “Operations not permitted” on Users/Shared/.localized

How do I repair permissions for root and admin accounts?
I have no Leopard install discs, as I purchased this computer used.

Thx

Dave

PowerMac G4-400 (AGP)/G4-MDD 1.0 DP, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 2:32 PM

22 replies

Apr 1, 2011 3:24 PM in response to Kappy

Thx

i am willing to give this a try, i have nothing to lose

also, i am assuming
$ rm -R /Users/username/
$ rm /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/username.plist

'username' is input as account 'shortname' since the command is remove,
I could use these commands twice
and then proceed to step 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Apr 1, 2011 3:28 PM in response to David Raye 1x

Yes, where you see "username" you need to substitute the actual account username. I don't know how this will work for you since you have no account, hence, no username.

I'm wondering if you can't just: rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

That would remove the key file that signals Setup Assistant not to run. Then if you reboot Setup Assistant should appear. But I've not tried any of this myself.

Apr 2, 2011 2:59 AM in response to Kappy

Ok...tried the previous suggested technique

booted into single user mode
:/ root # /sbin/mount -uw /
:/ root #rm -R /Library/Preferences/
:/ root #rm -R /Users/user1/
rm -R /Users/davidpaulson/: No such file or directory
:/ root #rm -R /Local/Users/user1/
:/ root #rm /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/user1.plist
:/ root # rm -R /Users/user2/
rm -R /Users/davidraye/: No such file or directory
:/ root #rm -R /Local/Users/user2/
:/ root #rm /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/user2.plist
:/ root #rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
:/ root #reboot
waited for the animation to complete
completed the ‘Welcome Wizard” (setup, registration, account creation)

this technique didn't work at all. It logged into new account automatically
“The home folder for user "xxxxxxx" isn't located in the usual place or can't be accessed.”
Finder repeatedly gets stuck, Have to restart with power button, keyboard assistant popped up repeatedly (am using ApplePro keyboard), can't identify
after some playing around I gave up....essentially unusable.

So, i decided to start over....however, in fooling around with permissions in the 'Get Info' pane, I somehow locked nearly all my Partitions!

I need to get them unlocked...they won't boot!

2 HDD's and a USB external drive
Primary: 200GB
Partition 1: Open, Unlocked
Partition 2: Tiger, Locked
Partition 3: OS9, Locked
Partition 4: Files, Locked

Secondary: 160GB
Partition 1: Files, Locked
Partition 2: Panther, Unlocked (which I just loaded so i could get back to a working OS)

USB Drive
Partition 1: Leopard, Locked, has my original Leopard cloned OS on it the only remaining copy I have.

I currently have Panther installed so I at least have an operating system that boots

Need help getting all my patitions unlocked !

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Apr 2, 2011 6:39 AM in response to David Raye 1x

You are in such a tangle without the system disks, consider buying Mac OS Snow Leopard DVD for $30.

EDIT oh I see you have a power PC, that won't take 10.6. That's a shame.

Message was edited by: roam

Apr 2, 2011 7:13 AM in response to roam

managed to get them all unlocked in Terminal using:

sudo chflags nouchg /Volumes/path to HDD (or drag the drive onto the terminal to insert the path name)

still can't boot from them
will try repair disk and repair permissions, in Disk Utility

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Apr 2, 2011 8:49 AM in response to David Raye 1x

Select one of the volumes. Press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window. At the bottom check that the box labeled, "Ignore permissions on this volume," is unchecked. If it is not, then click on the lock icon to authenticate and uncheck the box. Now, open the Terminal and enter:

sudo chown root:admin

Put a space after "admin" and drag the volume into the Terminal window and press RETURN. Authenticate when prompted (not echoed.) Press RETURN again.

Repeat for each volume if this works.

If you still have no access to the volumes then it gets more complicated. See the following: Fix No Access Permissions on HD.

Apr 14, 2011 5:52 AM in response to Kappy

Update

I was able to get the original install disc from the seller.

I reinstalled Leopard as a standalone install (not a network install), everything is working fine now.

updating software and configuring

appears as though there is no way to 'fix' a network install and make it act as a standalone install

dave

Can't change permissions