What Is This File & Why It Show UP In My Hard Drive Directory???

Question

JohnnyChin95 Author

Level 1

7 points

What Is This File & Why It Show UP In My Hard Drive Directory???

Hey mac people,

please help, this is serious problem!!!

recently, I found this file in my hard drive directory(picture below)(name: mach_kernel)

I not sure what is it, it is an UNIX file, why is it there? should I delete it?

before this I done a clean install, and now I'm moving back all the app by myself restore from time machine also download some from mac app store.

and I try to install all the loop and sound file for the garageband, it keep said close and reopen garageband to download, but it never let me download, it keep show up same message everytime I open it!! is this because the UNIX file problem?

all my apps:

the garageband problem message:

thanks everyone! please reply me as soon as possible!!!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), null

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 5:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

JohnnyChin95 Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 18, 2015 5:50 AM in response to JohnnyChin95

Hey guys,

Just now I searched google,

and it showed up that this is a system file should not be deleted, and apple have an command line code to hide it

website:

https://support.apple.com/en-ap/HT203829

code for terminal:

sudo chflags hidden /mach_kernel

after I done that, it disappear! but can someone explain to me why it happen? because seriously I want to know, if I done anything wrong to my mac??

or some app I should not install?

I downloaded the latest security update, could this make it appear? or I have downloaded google earth and earth pro but interface not great so deleted it, will it make it appear too?

thanks for help!!! 😀

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Answer 2

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Mar 18, 2015 6:12 AM in response to JohnnyChin95

It appears because the update installer (Apple installer) left it in the wrong "permissions" state. There's nothing wrong with having it visible - except the temptation to delete it!!!

Glad you did your homework first!

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Answer 3

JohnnyChin95 Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 18, 2015 6:27 AM in response to greg sahli

what is the permission state?

haha, ya, because sometime the community is reply my message very lately, so I very nervous about this, so i immediately search it after posting this just see if I can solve it by myself, and I did and I glad it!!!

Anyway, thanks for your extra advice!!!!

and how about the garageband problem? did you know something about it?

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,537 points

Mar 18, 2015 9:51 AM in response to JohnnyChin95

You'll have better luck in the Garageband community, where I see you have already posted.

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