Unable to make changes through Admin User

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unable to make changes through Admin User

I am unable to make administrative changes while logged into my Admin Account (the only account on my iMac 3.4Ghz intel core i7).

I first noiticed the problem when I attemped to copy a plugin I had just downloaded (from a reliable developer) into the plugins folder for the Software I intened to use it with. I was asked to enter my U/P, after entering I received the error message "The Operation cannot be completed because an unexpected error occured. (Error Code 100022)."

The error persisted when I tried update my adobe software, I entered my u/p and was then informed that "Administrator privileges are required to apply update to your product."

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Things I've tried:

I first tried to change privelages to the Plugins Folder in the Info Panel by unlocking the lock a the bottom. I am prompted for my admin u/p. I enter it correctly. press enter. It accepts the u/p but the lock stays in the locked position.

In System Prefs/Users I've attempted to add a new admin, by unlocking the lock at the bottom, and entering my password correctly only to have the lock remain locked.

Through Disk Utility I verified and repaired permission with no change in behavior.

I've restarted in Recovery Mode (Restart, Command + R ) and attemped to repair the permissions. No Change.

Restart in Safe Mode ( Restart while hodling down shift), which brought me to a login screen with my admin user, and guest user, but wasn't allowed to login using my Admin U/P.

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I'm at the end of my rope here. About to back up what I can and wipe the thing and try again.

Suggestions?
Thanks.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), 3.4 Ghz Intel Core i7

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 6:29 PM

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Answer 1

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Jul 28, 2013 6:40 PM in response to Kenedge

See this user tip. It applies to read only access as well.

kmosx: I accidentally set a disk's permissions to No Access

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Answer 2

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2013 6:51 PM in response to nbar

I tried the first option that post suggest, and the problem presists. 😢

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Answer 3

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Kenedge

I should also mention, though I'm not sure of it's relavence, that when I log out and try to log back in it accepts my password, but then loops back to the login screen. Not ever showing the user's desktop.

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Answer 4

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Jul 28, 2013 7:03 PM in response to Kenedge

Okay, try this. Just copy and paste it exactly into your command line prompt:

sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd ~ $TMPDIR.. ; sudo chown -R $UID:staff ~ $_ ; sudo chmod -R u+rwX ~ $_ ; chmod -R -N ~ $_ ; } 2> /dev/null

Command courtesy of Linc Davis. Resets your ownership and ACLs on your account to default.

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Answer 5

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2013 7:41 PM in response to nbar

Paste into the terminal? Or into the terminal that you get when you reboot holding down Command + S?

I'm having a tough time copy pasting from my gmail to terminal as my web browser becomes unresponsive, as well as terminal when switching between the 2 programs. As I type this I am on my Laptop and not the iMac.

When I did finally get to highlight the command line you gave me (It took near 15m to get the browser to the message my mail ) I pasted into Terminal and Terminal returned: -bash syntax error near unexpected token '}'

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 28, 2013 7:45 PM in response to Kenedge

If you haven't already done so, reboot and try again.

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Answer 7

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Jul 28, 2013 7:50 PM in response to Kenedge

Not from single user mode. Yes paste the command into terminal. That shouldn't havebeen there, sorry. do below:

sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd ~ $TMPDIR.. ; sudo chown -R $UID:staff ~ $_ ; sudo chmod -R u+rwX ~ $_ ; chmod -R -N ~ $_ ; 2> /dev/null

It will take a couple minutes for it to completely execute. Just let it run.

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Answer 8

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Jul 28, 2013 7:53 PM in response to Linc Davis

Linc, as you see I suggested your command, but the token does result in a syntax error. I am not sure if I accidently modified it or this was the case. Can you confirm the command below as correct?

sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd ~ $TMPDIR.. ; sudo chown -R $UID:staff ~ $_ ; sudo chmod -R u+rwX ~ $_ ; chmod -R -N ~ $_ ; 2> /dev/null

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Answer 9

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2013 8:49 PM in response to nbar

ran the line twice, and each time got this in return:

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Commands: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Notification: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file App Shim Socket: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file ubiquity.socket: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file ics379: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file icssuis501: Invalid argument

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Answer 10

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Jul 28, 2013 10:00 PM in response to Kenedge

Does this problem still exist:

I am unable to make administrative changes while logged into my Admin Account

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Answer 11

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2013 6:17 AM in response to nbar

Yes, the problem persists.

I'm starting to think hardware failure since the problem is coupled with crippling slowness.

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Answer 12

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 29, 2013 7:22 AM in response to Kenedge

I made a suggestion yesterday. If you're not going to take it or otherwise respond, I'll now unsubscribe from this thread.

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Answer 13

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2013 8:04 AM in response to Linc Davis

Sorry for not responding Linc, I did try as you suggested. The command line only worked after using the correct syntax. I ran the command twice and received this in response both times:

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Commands: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file Notification: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file App Shim Socket: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file ubiquity.socket: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file ics379: Invalid argument

chmod: Failed to clear ACL on file icssuis501: Invalid argument

I then gave up for the night and went to sleep. I won't be able to address the issue further until I return home from work.

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

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Answer 14

Kenedge Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2013 8:08 AM in response to Kenedge

Just wanted to give an update on the status of the problem.

It's persisting after trying everyone's suggestions. I have backed up all the files on the drive, erased the drive, and have a restore in progress. Ill be able to see if that has fixed the problem later this evening (930-10 est).

Thanks everyone.

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Answer 15

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jul 29, 2013 8:39 AM in response to Kenedge

I didn't suggest you run any shell commands. All that was a complete waste of time. I suggested you reboot, and it's not clear whether you did that. Please don't confuse my posts with anyone else's.

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