The correct syntax for a recursive chmod command in Terminal

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Level 1

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The correct syntax for a recursive chmod command in Terminal

I need to set recursive permissions on an external HDD to '777' or 'all read&write'.

I have tried all of the following commands in Terminal:

sudo chmod 777 -r /Volumes/...
sudo chmod -r 777 /Volumes/...
sudo chmod a+rw -r /Volumes/...
sudo chmod -r a+rw /Volumes/...

...all of which being back a 'no such file or directory' error, e.g.

sudo chmod 777 -r /Volumes/232Gb
chmod: -r: No such file or directory

Can anyone confirm the correct syntax for this command?

Thanks in advance...

Message was edited by: ChippyDeluxe

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Apr 7, 2011 4:36 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,649 points

Apr 7, 2011 3:23 PM in response to ChippyDeluxe

You can't disable permissions on a Time Machine volume, nor can you change the permissions of the backup files. It's also a very bad idea to put any other files on it. I strongly suggest you move those files elsewhere.

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Answer 2

ChippyDeluxe Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 7, 2011 3:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for the advice.

The setup I have now doesn't differ from when I was using my old iMac.
1 ext HDD with Time Machine and other folders, backing up to another ext HDD using iBackup. This worked without issue. Now, i have 1,000s of folders I cannot access without manually amending the permissions and the backup stalls (I've tried a few backup utilities, they all do the same).

Have I created an irreparable fault by using an external HDD as both storage and as a Time Machine backup?

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,649 points

Apr 7, 2011 3:43 PM in response to ChippyDeluxe

You don't back up a backup. You make independent backups to two or more different devices.

Original data don't belong on the same volume, or the same physical device, as backups. For one thing, it intereferes with Time Machine's management of free space on the backup volume. If you want to do it, that's your prerogative, but then I have nothing else to suggest.

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Answer 4

ChippyDeluxe Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 7, 2011 4:02 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks.

I turned off Time Machine, and deleted the Time Machine backup, this in turn made the 'ignore permissions' option reappear.

I then repartitioned the external HDD, and created a 'Time Machine' partition.

This appears to have cured the problems.

Thank you very much for your advice

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