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permissions repair

C

Check 6

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 12, 2007
209
12
Running a late 2009 Mac Pro with Lion One of the issues I had before I took it in for service at the local Apple store was with permissions repairs I would run that utility and when completed would see only two line entries in the window even though I had checked "show Details"

Repairing permissions for Macintosh HD and
Permissions repair complete

The tech this and the other error were indicative of issues with the core files and his correction was to wipe the HD clean and re-instal a clean copy of Lion and all my apps and data. He pronounced the unit good to go . It has been home less than a week and Permissions repair is showing only the same two lines when run. Anyone else have this problem? and if so what was your solution Thanks
 
Check 6 said:
not sure I understand, could you be more detailed, Thanks.
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You probably did not need to repair your permissions then. It only lists when you have something to repair. The terminal command listed above is the exact same thing as running from Disk Utility GUI. You also don't need the sudo unless you are not admin. The tech sounds like a tool if he said "because you have no errors you'll need to wipe your HD so you can have no errors again." Hopefully permission repair is not why you took the Mac in. Was there anything else out of the ordinary. Every iteration of OS X has dealt with the log output of permission repair differently. Lion apparently, in 10.7.3, has fixed the arbitrary text output. Most of the text said nothing and should not have been a concern.
Permission repair does ONE thing. It repairs access permissions to your system folder. Not your user anything. It flips read/write as needed. User/Group/Everyone. It is generally a placebo to perform it to help most computer related issues unless those issues are with permissions.
 
derbothaus said:
You probably did not need to repair your permissions then. It only lists when you have something to repair. The terminal command listed above is the exact same thing as running from Disk Utility GUI. You also don't need the sudo unless you are not admin. The tech sounds like a tool if he said "because you have no errors you'll need to wipe your HD so you can have no errors again." Hopefully permission repair is not why you took the Mac in. Was there anything else out of the ordinary. Every iteration of OS X has dealt with the log output of permission repair differently. Lion apparently, in 10.7.3, has fixed the arbitrary text output. Most of the text said nothing and should not have been a concern.
Permission repair does ONE thing. It repairs access permissions to your system folder. Not your user anything. It flips read/write as needed. User/Group/Everyone. It is generally a placebo to perform it to help most computer related issues unless those issues are with permissions.
Click to expand...

We erased the HD and did a clean instal because when Lion upgrade was written over SL some error files were created in the root. The permissions repair issue was only an indicator of the deeper problem .

Other issues include a continuing issue with the upper optical drive doing strange and random operations as well as some other operating system errors. The only one working on it is the head tech who is truly skilled and willing to research each issue before just plunging in. I have been a ham radio operator for over fifty years so I have a little knowledge of electronics and the older I get the more I realize I don't know
 
Some people repair, or recommend repairing permissions for situations where it isn't appropriate. Repairing permissions only addresses very specific issues. It is not a "cure all" or a general performance enhancer, and doesn't need to be done on a regular basis. It also doesn't address permissions problems with your files or 3rd party apps.

Five Mac maintenance myths
Disk Utility repairs the permissions for files installed by the Mac OS X Installer, Software Update, or an Apple software installer. It doesn’t repair permissions for your documents, your home folder, and third-party applications.

You can verify or repair permissions only on a disk with Mac OS X installed.
Click to expand...
Does Disk Utility check permissions on all files?

Files that aren't installed as part of an Apple-originated installer package are not listed in a receipt and therefore are not checked. For example, if you install an application using a non-Apple installer application, or by copying it from a disk image, network volume, or other disk instead of installing it via Installer, a receipt file isn't created. This is expected. Some applications are designed to be installed in one of those ways.

Also, certain files whose permissions can be changed during normal usage without affecting their function are intentionally not checked.
Click to expand...
There are times when repairing permissions is appropriate. To do so, here are the instructions:
If repairing permissions results in error messages, some of these messages can be ignored and should be no cause for concern.
 
Check 6 said:
We erased the HD and did a clean instal because when Lion upgrade was written over SL some error files were created in the root. The permissions repair issue was only an indicator of the deeper problem .

Other issues include a continuing issue with the upper optical drive doing strange and random operations as well as some other operating system errors. The only one working on it is the head tech who is truly skilled and willing to research each issue before just plunging in. I have been a ham radio operator for over fifty years so I have a little knowledge of electronics and the older I get the more I realize I don't know
Click to expand...

Fair enough then. Just didn't want you taken for a long ride. All stores are different.
 
Well the Mac Pro as been back at the Apple store for two more days ( yes this is the fifth time it has been in for the optical drive issue as well as others) They see the problem but as have no solution. The chief tech is taking extra time and research to solve the problem not band aide it. I have and do have numerous Apple products and this is the first one (ie the most expensive) one that has had problems. They will either fix it or replace it. I have told them that if it is fixed I plan to give it to my Son in law as he is a hardware and software engineer and could use the capability of the machine. I will then get another Mac Pro. With all mechanical products there is a bad individual unit but the model/ product line is great. Let's see what the weekend brings.
 
Thought I might add an update as my Mac Pro is still at the local apple store. Yes, the lack of proper Permissions repair summaries have indicated an issue concerning some conflicting files that had been loaded by accident when they migrated everything to the new HD 1. Also they have found that HD2 was bad and has been replaced. HD2 was used as the time machine backup storage. The random opening of the upper optical drive door as well as its random spinning with or without a CD/DVD in it has been traced to what appears to be a bad connecting cable and it is being replaced. A new logic board has been ordered "just in case". So in summary both HDs have been replaced, last year the upper optical drive was replaced at least once. The operating system and all applications have been re-installed several times and now the optical drive cabling is being replaced. That is all the bad, save the fact that in total the unit has been in the shop for over 40 days during my 2.2 years of ownership (thanks goodness for Apple Care). But there is good news (always look for the bright side), the attitude of everyone at the local Apple Store could not be better. Very upbeat and sensitive to my problem and loss of computer use. The head genius that is working on it, is nothing short of fantastic. He tenaciously, researches and works each problem then completely tests each fix. I am confident that in the next several days I will get my Mac Pro back and it will be better than new. In the meantime, my mac book pro has been a lifesaver and I have time to explore and find new things the ipad can do as well as its limits. Remember I said always look for something good in every dark cloud. I think that philosophy comes with age. Wish I could get them to instal a solid state drive and an upgraded graphics card at my expense while it is in the shop.... oh well be happy the unit will be fixed
 
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That is taking a VERY long time to re-install OS X and migrate your files (which would fix your issue). Do you live in Appalachia by chance? Glad it is getting sorted.
 
derbothaus said:
That is taking a VERY long time to re-install OS X and migrate your files (which would fix your issue). Do you live in Appalachia by chance? Glad it is getting sorted.
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Every time they think they have the problem solved a new malfunction crops up. From my limited electronics background, I'm leaning to either an issue with the mother (Logic) board or the power supply that is causing these other hardware and software malfunctions. I have had on going series of issues since it was new as documented by its many trips back and to make matters worse I live some distance from the store My wife's Imac just keep purring as do both our mac book pros. I would go a loaded Imac route as a replacement except an eye issue causes lots of fatigue with non matte screens. I also like my 30" Apple matte finish monitor. We shall see they told me yesterday that I would get an update today. I do trust that they are doing everything possible to fix it and for that I am most great-full.
 
I feel your pain. After 3 or more trips back they should be bound to just outright replace it. In my experience anyway. You are keeping a very clear head. Mine would have exploded.
 
derbothaus said:
I feel your pain. After 3 or more trips back they should be bound to just outright replace it. In my experience anyway. You are keeping a very clear head. Mine would have exploded.
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It's an age thing I guess, while I'm not happy about it, but in the big picture it's not important enough to get mad, besides what does that do. Frustrated YES, mad no and probably because I know the time and effort they are putting in on this problem. I freely admit I'm impressed with the caliber of people they have in responsible positions at the Apple store I use.
 
Check 6 said:
It's an age thing I guess, while I'm not happy about it, but in the big picture it's not important enough to get mad, besides what does that do. Frustrated YES, mad no and probably because I know the time and effort they are putting in on this problem. I freely admit I'm impressed with the caliber of people they have in responsible positions at the Apple store I use.
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I'm glad you have the right attitude about it. You're correct, it's not important in the grand scheme of things.

But after being in the shop this long, replacing basically the entire computer, and still having issues I think I'd be pushing for a replacement Mac Pro.

What if the problems come back in 7 months after your Apple Care expires?
 
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