User Preferences not saved in 10.6.8

One thing you should not get het up about is the string of repairs consistently arising from repairing permissions. There are various reasons why this happens but the key to it all is the message at the end. "Permissions repair complete" in green writing means all is good.

One last thought. Have you updated your 10.6.8 via the combo update. If you haven't you should do.

Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1

It would seem to me that you haven't downloaded the 10.6.8 Combo update I recommended. The point I have in mind is that the software update you have been repeatedly applying is only updating the requirements of your original 10.6.8. not the 10.6.8 system you would have had, had you applied the Combo update.

One follows the other and in effect tidies up the system.

tbruce, I am hugely sysmpathetic to your plight but you have to sort out your system in strict order. The clean install of the OS should only take you to 10.6.3, after that you will need the Combo as a matter of course and then the security updates via software update.

I do have a problem because I am not acquainted with MacBook and that may be the difference. It does cross my mind to ask if you are the original owner, if it was bought with 10.6.8 and what "about this mac" says in terms of the version number after one of your clean reinstalls.

First off, Permissions repair won't touch anything in your user. Stop repairing Permissions. Generally a waste of time anyway.

Do a GetInfo (Cmd-I) on the Preferences folder in your user (home folder) Library. What does it say for Sharing and Permissions?

It should show that you, your user, has Read and Write and everyone No Access.

I would suggest using the following procedure to reset your home folder Permissions, which may fix this problem.

1. Boot from the Mac OS X Install Disc:
   1. Insert the disc.
   2. Shut down the computer.
   3. Turn it on again whilst holding down the C key.
      You can let go when you see a spinning dial.
2. Click through the menus until you after you’ve accepted a license agreement.
3. Snow Leopard: At the top, click Utilities -> Reset Password.
   Lion: At the top, click Utilities -> Terminal. Type resetpassword in the Terminal and press Enter.
4. Click on your main hard drive.
5. In the dropdown box under “Select the user account” make sure to select your username.
6. Underneath where it says “Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs”, click the Reset button.
7. Press cmd + Q to Quit the Reset Password application. Press it again if you have a Terminal open.
8. Click Mac OS X Installer in the top left and click Quit Mac OS X Installer.
9. Click the Startup Disk button.
10. Click on your main hard drive and click the Restart button.

http://www.fixkb.com/2011/08/reset-home-folder-permissions.html