Can't drag/drop or copy/paste; spotlight missing

You mught be onto something, along those lines...

Mac OS X: Cannot print, use Classic, start file sharing, burn discs, or update software if /tmp missing...

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21161?viewlocale=en_US

Try the 10.2.8 & earlier Terminal instructions.

Great news, thanks! 🙂

What the command prompts to the 10.2.8 terminal instructions?

Hello, the ones in the link I gave...

Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier

1. Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/).
2. Type:ls -la / | grep tmp
3. Press Return.
4. Look at the resulting text. If it matches the following line (which would indicate that /tmp is still present) then this document does not apply to you, and you should stop here and try another troubleshooting path.
   lrwxrwxr-t 1 root admin 11 Jan 15 11:00 tmp@ -> private/tmp
   The timestamp following "admin" will reflect the current date.
   
5. If you do not see the line above, then type:
   sudo ln -s /private/tmp /tmp
   
6. Press Return.
7. Enter your administrator account password when prompted, the press Return.

Thank you kindly. I get a time stamp from 2007 does that matter?

I don't think so, it isn't the current date here...

lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 root wheel 11 Dec 9 20:52 tmp -> private/tmp

I think you have a different problem & would likely be better starting a new question.

No, I get the following prompt (spacing not exact) which is I think when I purchased the machine...

lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 root admin 11 Oct 26 2007 tmp ->private/tmp

I am guessing I will repost a new thread with same symptoms but include that the command prompt option did not solve my particualr case...what is this method actually doing?

I have same problem and noticed spotlight is missing altough that was not my initial concern. I noticed I couldn't drag and drop using serato scratch live (but luckly key board short cuts worked), then as I tried to drag something from the desk top it was locked (but was able to add them from finder window of desk top and add to trash can), and the last straw was when trying to cut and paste in a word document no key board commands or manually using the edit menu.

Any other suggestions would be great otherwise I will repost!

Te method first checks to see if it is there, which it is in your case, & if not there the next commands would create it.

Something other seems messedup on yours, especially with no Spotlight.

Could be many things, we should start with this...

"Try Disk Utility

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*

3. Click the First Aid tab.

4. Select your Mac OS X volume.

5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.

(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

If perchance you can't find your install Disc, or are running 10.7+, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.

If 10.7.0 or later...

Bootup holding CMD+r, or the Option/alt key to boot from the Restore partitiion & use Disk Utility from there.

BDAqua wrote:

Hello, the ones in the link I gave...

Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier

1. Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/).
2. Type:ls -la / | grep tmp
3. Press Return.
4. Look at the resulting text. If it matches the following line (which would indicate that /tmp is still present) then this document does not apply to you, and you should stop here and try another troubleshooting path.
   lrwxrwxr-t 1 root admin 11 Jan 15 11:00 tmp@ -> private/tmp
   The timestamp following "admin" will reflect the current date.
   
5. If you do not see the line above, then type:
   sudo ln -s /private/tmp /tmp
   
6. Press Return.
7. Enter your administrator account password when prompted, the press Return.

I still have a question, but first.....

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! I can't express how thankful I am for this post! Had the same exact problem as the discussion starter. I didn't even notice Spotlight was gone until finding this post! I thought the issue was Adobe/app related until copy/paste didn't work!

***If you try the code, after entering your password successfully, make sure you RESTART your computer!!!***

Now to my questions. Please help if you can:

1) I can see that the tmp folder is an alias folder now; but can I still delete the original folder that's still in the trash (which is minus two files now, because I tried emptying the trash)?!??

2) Also, I have a x2 backup of the original folder before putting it in the trash (and emptying; that's how I know the tmp folder is minus two files). So my second question is, can I put the backup folder BACK where the alias folder is, and them delete the alias!???

Thanks for any answers! That last thing I want to do is mess up again!! :/

Great to hear, thanks! 🙂

1. at the root of the drive do you have the tmp alias, & at root is there the real tmp folder in private?

2. things in the tmp folder are temporary, like files spooled to a printer & succh, I don't think you'd need to restore them.

I'd try emptying the trash myself.

How can I THANK YOU enough! After numerous trips to the MAC store, 2 new hard drives (suggested bythe technicians and contemplating purchasing a new Mac book Pro) you have fixed the cut/paste and drag issues I was experiencing since switching from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion! As a graphic designer, i can get back to the joys of working with my MAC!!!! Thank you BDAqua🙂

I'm so late with my reply back, but thanks for answering!! I ended up emptying the trash with no issue, and left the tmp alias folder alone! I think I was over questioning because of all that just happened - it totally freaked me out! 😊 Thanks Again!