Error when update "locate" database

I had the same problem, but I discovered that if I do

sudo

cd /

/usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

it works. Annoying, but it's enough of a work-around for me for now.

What was suggested above didn't work for me.. typing "sudo" just gives me the help content, while "su" tells me "su: Sorry". Conversely "su -MYUSER" worked.

However, this single command DID work for me (clearly, I am an admin user):

sudo -u MYUSER /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

😉

OSX: 10.8.3, Build 12D78 (semi-fresh OSX install)

Hi all,

I have been experiencing all kind of problems when updating the database of my Mac Os X.

I run Yosemite 10.10.5 on a Mac book Pro 13" ,late 2011.

I have tried

-- sudo /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

from / directory tells me it doesn' t recognise "install" command at line 37 of locate.updatedb

-- sudo -u root /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

same results

This is since one week now and I don't have anymore a locate.database in /var/db/ I tried to run locate once in order to re-create the database,

it suggests me to run

-- sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

but when I do it, it tells me the same process is already on (this message appears since 10 days and still no database) ..

Can anyone help Please...

Thanks

Davide

What happens if you unload the .plist.

Reboot to make sure all locate related processes have stopped.

Now issue the load command again?

Just wondering. I do not know if that will do anything or not.

Thanks for the answer

I actually Done it already and nothing changed.

It seems the problem was at line 37 of /usr/libexec/locate.updatedb

it was not recognising the command install.

I used the locate.updatedb from this thread

Re: Where can I find ibSystem.B.dylib?

(Reply of Baltwo)

and it did the trick...

up and running again..

Thanks anyway.

Cheers,

Davide