rockandrollmd

Q: Messages doesn't work (after CCleaner?)

Hi,

Messages stopped working for me, I believe related to using CCleaner.  I was trying to clean things up on my MacBook Air (10.10.5) and used CCleaner to try to get rid of temp files.  I apparently had something set that reset messages (v8.0) because while I can still send/receive messages, since then all conversations are gone (only the contact names/numbers that are part of the conversation are present), and new ones are only temporary - when a new conversation starts and I in that conversation I can see that, but if I scroll it, or jump to another conversation, it disappears.  All old conversations (up to that event) are still in my Library (Library/Containers/com.apple.iChat/Data/Library/Messages/Archive) and the messages database (Library/Messages/chat.db) appears to be intact (11mb, last updated on the date I ran CCleaner).

 

No problem with the messages on my other devices (iPhone and iPad)

 

While the smoking gun is CCleaner, I was aggressively trying to clean up files so it might have been something else.  Regardless, I am looking to any suggestions on how to restore access to old chats and bring the functionality back to the way it was.

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.2, Apple ID

Posted on Jul 8, 2016 12:26 PM

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Q: Messages doesn't work (after CCleaner?)

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jul 8, 2016 12:31 PM in response to rockandrollmd
    Level 10 (120,143 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 8, 2016 12:31 PM in response to rockandrollmd

    Third party Mac cleaning utilities are unnecessary on a Mac. They can do far more harm than good. Uninstall CCleaner.


    Your Mac runs maintenance in the background for you.

     

    Deleting system files can also cause problems.

     


    What exactly happens when you try to use Messages on your Mac?

     

    Have you tried retorting your Mac?

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jul 8, 2016 1:49 PM in response to rockandrollmd
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Jul 8, 2016 1:49 PM in response to rockandrollmd

    Hi,

     

    With a Finder window open use the Go Menu Whilst holding down the ALT key.

    Select the Library that appears in the Menu list.

    Navigate to the Messages folder.

     

    In here are three Database items (chat.db etc.)

    Highlight one and then Right Click it and choose Get Info.

     

    Scroll to the bottom of the panel that show up.

    In Ownership and Permissions does your Shortname show up (the one that is under the Little House icon in Users)

    It should read it has Read and Write Permissions.

    Highlight this Line then use the little cogwheel type icon under the list.

    (you may have to unlock the padlock)

    This should reveal that you Own it by having the phrase "Make yourshotname (Me) the Owner" in a greyed out form.

     

    If it does show as dark test (Changeable/Editable) then click it to do so.

     

    Now go to the View menu of the Finder and choose "Show Path Bar"

    This will list the folder you are in across the bottom for the window.

    Right click the icon for the Messages Folder and select Get Info again.

    Check the Info panel in the same way.

     

    IF this show you don't own it either then you may have a deeper problem and not have the proper Permissions for any of the Folders in Mactintosh/Users/Yourshortname/ onwards.

     

    This Thread Reset Home Folder permissions and ACLs Error has two important posts by Linc Davis.

    You need the Orange Helpful marked on first.

    This Terminal Instruction can take a long time to run but will tell you how many Files and Folder your Don't Own  in your Users folder.

     

    I always find that if I run this command that I always have the odd few files that I have lost permission for.

    Last time was just 3

    Screen Shot 2016-07-08 at 21.40.53.png

     

    In the Orange Post Linc suggests a number of 41 (it does not indicate if this is thought to be high or not)

    However based on your results you might want to run the command listed in the green /Solved answer.

     

    This process only corrects the Permissions and Ownership of those files in your Users Folder.

     

    The Disk Utility app in Applications/Utilities is supposed to be used to correct them elsewhere on your computer.

    i.e. Repairing Permissions with Disk Utility will not repair or change those inside a User's folder.

     

    Also if you have a Backup I would consider if you should restore to a point before you started messing about.

     

    Any iMessages "missed" whilst the app cannot login are gong to be permanently lost.

     

     

     

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    9:49 pm      Friday; July 8, 2016

     

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