Can't save change to plist file in terminal after El Capitan upgrade

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Can't save change to plist file in terminal after El Capitan upgrade

Hi there,

After upgrading to El Capitan I can't save the changes I require using the following command in terminal:

sudo pico /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist

I can make the change, but when I press ctrl + O and then enter I get an error when trying to save the change to the same file name. This worked fine in Yosemite.

Does it seem like a permissions issue and does anyone have any ideas please?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 7, 2015 1:04 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Oct 7, 2015 1:09 PM in response to adyf88

You will need to use Save As onto your Desktop. Then delete the .plist file you have changed. Copy the version from the Desktop into the proper folder.

An even better idea is that you shouldn't change that file. It requires no change.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Oct 7, 2015 4:53 PM in response to adyf88

You can't modify that file. It's best to describe the problem you're trying to solve, rather than the way you think it should be solved.

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Answer 3

adyf88 Author

Level 1

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Oct 7, 2015 11:58 PM in response to adyf88

I've tried saving it to the desktop, modifying the file and saving it back to the original folder. All appears to go well, but it doesn't overwrite the original file.

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Answer 4

adyf88 Author

Level 1

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Oct 8, 2015 12:02 AM in response to Linc Davis

I'm trying to achieve Wake On Lan where the macbook stays awake by inserting 'darkwake=8' as below:

Mac Pro sleeps after being woken up by WOL

I used the pico editor in Terminal.

Copy and paste the following in a Terminal window:

sudo pico /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist

Enter your admin password and press enter.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, position the cursor between "<string>" and "</string>" under "Kernel Flags" and type "darkwake=8" without quotes.

Press CTRL + O to commit changes and press enter.

Press CTRL + X to exit.

Reboot and you're good to go.

Also darkwake=8 works flawlessy with WOL and normal sleep settings. Your screen will now turn on after waking with packets.

This worked fine under Yosemite, I'd like to understand why I can no longer modify the plist file under EL Capitan. What's changed? If it's not a good idea to modify the plist file, is there another way of achieving the above. The upgrade to EL Capitan has changed the plist file back to how it was originally.

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