File permission

jeno · #1 November 6th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Just a quick question:

Does Mac OS X Disk Utilities correct permission on all the files and folders on the machine? or is it only on systems folders?

If I need to correct permission on every file and folder on the machine, how do I do so?

Thanks,
Jeno

Doctor X · #2 November 6th, 2008, 09:51 PM

I think it does; however, the Disk Utility is a "static" program in that it exists, in time, when it was loaded to your disk you use. I am unaware whether or not the Disk Utility in your own Applications "Utilities" is updated.

Does that matter? Hell if I know, but I have been told and read that it may mess a bit with other applications. It makes sense to me--you have a DU from a 10.5 disk is it going to screw up 10.5.5 programs?

However, why mess with that? Goeth thou to either Onyx--a free program--or Cocktail--as shareware and use those. Both will not only repair permissions, they will do a lot of others things to keep your Mac happy.

Now, if you have 10.5+ repairing permissions in any of those programs--DU, O, C--will take a LONG time . . . Looooooong time. If you "click" on the program in your Dock you may see the "Application Not Responding" and think it has crashed. Rest assur'd it has not.

--J.D.

JeffCGD · #3 November 7th, 2008, 06:41 AM

... in the receipt folder. If an application uses Installer to install, it writes a receipt there which Disc Utility can read.

Doctor X · #4 November 7th, 2008, 06:51 AM

Think you meant to post that in the other thread?

--J.D.

**fryke** · #5 November 7th, 2008, 07:24 AM

I don't think so. The permissions are read from the receipts stored on the system.

ElDiabloConCaca · #6 November 7th, 2008, 09:43 AM

Yup... Disk Utility will only repair permissions on items that have package receipts located in the /Library/Receipts folder.

You should not muck with any of the receipts in that folder. Even if you remove an application... well, technically, you can clean out receipts from deleted applications out of that folder, but I highly recommend against it. Leaving them there does no harm, but accidentally removing a receipt that you shouldn't have will do much harm.

Natobasso · #7 November 7th, 2008, 04:18 PM

More here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1452

"When you use Disk Utility to verify or repair disk permissions, it reviews each of the .bom files in /Library/Receipts/ and compares its list to the actual permissions on each file listed. If the permissions differ, Disk Utility reports the difference (and corrects them if you use the Repair feature).

Does Disk Utility check permissions on all files?

No. 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."

jeno · #8 November 10th, 2008, 07:40 AM

Hello All,

Thanks for replying.
Now I understand that Disk Utilities will only repair item such as application that has a footprint in the /Library/Receipts. It will not do anything more than that.

I am having some problem particularly with files and folder carrying different/wrong permission and access right. I have a lot of file going around in and out the server. Sometimes i am getting file that are locked or having other person identity. My IT told that the they have re-propagate the server but seem that it don't help much. I am wondering if I run Disk Utilities on my machine or the server will help.

p/s: I did perform some software installation and uninstallation but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

Cheers,
Jeno