how do I log in as root user in order to access library in Mavericks

If you have enabled root, have you tried using the sudo command?

Have you used root before on a Unix-based system? Be aware of the dangers of doing so.

The sudo command is a Terminal, Unix command that uses root privileges for a specified operation, see: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4103

That is much prefered over using root. If you enabled root you had to set a root password. However, instead of invoking root, it is far safer if you are not VERY familiar with Unix and Unix commands to use sudo. Root has absolute authority to do anything with anything and to anything, and you will never be asked to confirm that you really do want to do an action. That means that if you, as root, tell the system to remove all files it will do so and never ask you if you really, really want to do that.

That is why Apple has disabled root by default and made enabling somewhat esoteric.

You can do the removal you want by going to Finder, Applications, Utilities, Terminal. Negotiate to the folder immediately above the folder you want to remove. (you should be logged in as an admin to do this) Then use sudo to remove the contents of the folder you want to remove. Better yet, remove one file at a time to be sure of what you are doing. You need to invoke sudo every time you want something to be done.

And be sure to note what that knowledge base article says about the admin account...it must have a password as a null password will not be accepted by the system when sudo is used.

In the Terminal window, you should be at the prompt with something of the form

new-host:~ username$

Now go to the root directory by typing:

cd /

and press Return

You should now see:

new-host: / username$

Now you want to find the location of the file, so if you know from Activity Monitor where the file was located, or if it was in Library, type:

ls -l Library

those are lower case letter l, and you should now get a listing of the contents of the folder Library.

If you type ls -l Applications you will see the listing of the files and folders in the Applications directory.

So the question at this point is, where is the Carbonite file you want to remove. Your task is to find it.

When you find the file we can go to that location, or you can do it by simply typing

cd ./folder name/folder name/ to get to the exact location.

Double check where you are py typing:

pwd

That will return the complete path to your location.

Tip: in Terminal, do this:

cd /Library/LaunchDaemons

ls -l

Do you see CarboniteDaemon in that folder list?

ASGfromAK wrote:

.... but it still has folder in the root user library that is eating up my CPU in the Activity Monitor. I can't find it to delete it. Thank you for your help!!

You shouldn't need to log in as root

In Finder: ⇧⌘G, enter: /Library

Look for Carbonite Files in

LaunchAgents

ASGfromAK wrote:

I found a thread on how to enable my root user,

I question that you have to be root.

If you are admin you should have access to everything you need.

http://theappleblog.com/2009/03/10/first-look-carbonite-online-backup-for-the-ma c/

Edward H on July 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 am

To save you the trouble contacting Carbonite here are the instructions from their customer services dept:

Here is how to remove Carbonite for Mac after your trial has expired:

Hello and thank you for contacting Carbonite Customer Support.
Please follow the steps below to manually remove the Carbonite program files:

Restart your Computer.

Control click on Finder on the dock and select Go to Folder.

Type /Library/Application Support/ into the window that appears.

Move the Carbonite folder to the Trash.

Control-click on the Application Support folder in the header bar and click the Library folder.

Go to the Contextual Menu Items folder and move CarboniteCMM.bundle to the trash.

Go back to the /Library folder and go into the LaunchAgents folder.

Delete com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist and com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist.

Go back to the /Library folder, and to into LaunchDaemons.

Move com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist to the trash.

Go back to the /Library folder, and to into PreferencePanes.

Move Carbonite.prefPane to the Trash.

Restart your computer again.

Empty your trash.

Sincerely,
Carbonite Customer Support
http://www.carbonite.com

Now wasn’t that easy..? no? We didn’t think so either…

Just out of curiosity, how did you originally uninstall Carbonite?

This whole exercise points out a major problem with installing software that is of questionable need - anti-virus, backup, etc. The Mac OS X builtin applications do a very good job, and a few third-party items, such as carbon copy cloner, that you do not actually install but only run when needed, are all that are needed.

Good to hear this finally got cleaned up.

Since you asked for a brain dump...😁

Cloud-based storage is a tough option right now due to cost and control...iCloud would be out as the storage capacity is too small for a high level user.

An external drive is still prefered way for me...but consider some creative ways to accomplish this. I use three external drives right now...they are all 2 TB drives from OWC, http://www.macsales.com, their Mercury Pro Elite quad interface drives. So they can attach using Firewire 800/400, USB, or eSATA...gives a range of speed options and connection options depending on the base system.

I have ordered another of those drives, a 3 TB drive, that will be dedicated to iPhoto files, scans of the many thousands of slides and negatives I have and want to archive digitally. That drive will only be attached when I want to work with the images.

That comes to a creative approach...if you do not need to backup daily, you can dedicate a drive to only backups, attach periodically, and either backup or clone the internal storage, and backup other external storage. Eject the drive when done and store it some place safe. That way you have the best of both worlds, regular backup and safe store.

You can keep an external drive attached for normal use such as TimeMachine backups that keeps your current material available at all times.

As to longevity, my OWC drives have been attached for one and half to two and a half years, different drives on different machines. They have never given a hint of a problem, and are used daily. The MacBook Pro and iMac are used for hours every day, two of the drives do TimeMachine backup, as well as various versions of Mac OS X so are repeadtedly being accessed. Drive longevity is highly dependent on the quality of the hard drive.

My personal opinion, and not trying to sound like advertising, is to always use OWC when I can. They are Mac specialists, only do Macs, no PC work. Everything they sell has been tested for use with Macs, their drives come pre-formatted for Mac OS X. If you are not familiar with them take a look at their website and see the range of things they offer.

Guess this is crossing over into the rambling category now so I best stop and see if you have more questions.

Ralph

Is the preference pane out of ->System Preferences?