Constant file permission problems

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Constant file permission problems

Hello out there..

I'm currently trying to sort out a problem with - what I guess is my - file permissions.

The problem reappears, even after a long disk repair session, where loads of issues are found and repaired.

At the end it says everything is ok, but if I click repair again, it starts again , and even after restart, the problem is back again?!?!

I've set my permission as follows, (to those of you who doesn't speak Danish - it's "read & write"), but it still says I have "special access"?

Why? and what can I do to fix it..

Please help me..

Michael

Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 24, 2012 12:39 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,518 points

Jan 24, 2012 9:12 PM in response to Michael Abel

Michael Abel wrote:

Hello out there..

I'm currently trying to sort out a problem with - what I guess is my - file permissions.

The problem reappears, even after a long disk repair session, where loads of issues are found and repaired.

Disk Repair or Permission Repair?

Long list from a Permission Repair that come back is normal. Nothing wrong. See http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1448

Long lists of problems from a Disk Repair that keep coming back is bad news. Likely failing disk.

Special Access means you have Access Control List entries set for the particular directory/file.

Did you every change permissions and then "Apply to Enclosed?"

Do you actually have file access problems, or are you just repairing permissions and think the long list indicates a problem?

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Answer 2

Jan 24, 2012 9:14 PM in response to Michael Abel

As Barney-15E pointed out, this is most likely the result of a failing hard disk drive. I would run your diagnostic on Repair Permissions / Repair Disk and if this persists take your Mac into the nearest service center to have them take a closer look at it!

REMEMBER to back up your data at this point of the game! (Hello Time Machine!!!) 🙂

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Answer 3

Michael Abel Author

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Jan 25, 2012 12:51 AM in response to Barney-15E

'Disk Repair or Permission Repair?'

There is no problem with the disk, when I run Disk repair.. Phew..

It's only permission repair, that seems to reoccur?

I tried 'Apply to enclosed', but it only made the Permission repair longer??

It started as a problem with Itunes and a Locked disk, then Firefox joined in.. And now it seems to come and go when I'm allowed to save to the disk?? Aaargg...

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,518 points

Jan 25, 2012 4:27 AM in response to Michael Abel

I wasn't suggesting you "Apply to Enclosed," I was asking if you had done that. That causes permission problems.

Which folder did you Apply to enclosed on?

Permission Repair is only useful if you actually have a problem that manifests in some sort of file access issue.

With a perfectly good system, permission-wise, Permission Repair will give you a very long list of stuff that is not a problem, don't worry about it. It is normal.

However, it doesn't do anything to your Home folder, so trying to fix a problem that is inside your Home folder will just waste your time.

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Answer 5

Michael Abel Author

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Jan 25, 2012 4:50 AM in response to Barney-15E

I wasn't suggesting you "Apply to Enclosed," I was asking if you had done that. That causes permission problems.

I did - and I did it to the whole HD! 😟

However, it doesn't do anything to your Home folder, so trying to fix a problem that is inside your Home folder will just waste your time.

I see..

And since I had a feeling about that, I lost track of the original settings and just seem to make matters worse.

As you say, having a problem actually pin-pointing the 'exact problem' and just constantly having random error messages from various programs and extensions, I now paniced and re-installed the system software using the 'cmd+r' option on start-up..

Will let you know how it pans out.

Thank you so far!

M.

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,518 points

Jan 25, 2012 5:19 AM in response to Michael Abel

I haven't checked in the current version, but Finder may not duplicate the ACL's anymore. Haven't found a confirmation and I don't have a system I want to fubar trying it out. That's what usually causes the problem. An ACL is additional permissions above and beyond the standard unix read, write, and execute.

While there may be a way to recover from what you did without reinstalling, I'm not sure what it is.

Now, if you have a problem that is originating from within your Home folder, neither Repair Permission nor a reinstall will help; take a look at this discussion: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3578673

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Answer 7

Michael Abel Author

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Jan 26, 2012 4:04 AM in response to Barney-15E

Ok.

Well it seems the reinstall helped, and have taken care of the problems for now.

The weird thing is, that it still says "Du må kun læse" in the info field - which translates "You may only read".

But if you look in the bottom, the 'system' kan "Read and write"!?!?

Anyway - it's running fine and I can read and write, so I'll keep my fingeres crossed.

Thanks for your help Barney-15E,

Michael

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