Permissions Problems

M

merrante

Registered
I am having some serious permission problems that I cannot resolve. This post from 2008 is exactly what I am facing:
http://macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/303271-authorization-api-meltdown.html but there was never an answer.

Here is a list of things not working and what Ive tried so far. I have a Power PC running 10.4.11.

-Photoshop CS3 will not run, the icon just jumps up and down.

-Adobe Uninstaller will not open, it just closes right away.

-While attempting to reinstall photoshop cs3, or cs4, I am asked for my admin password like normal but when I enter it I get this message in console: AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges failed with status: -60008

-Programs like Onyx and Cocktail keep refusing to except my admin password even if I am logged in as the root user.

-It seems like any program that uses a third party installer will not except admin rights.

-I have repaired permissions from Disk Utillty, from the install disk, with Applejack and Macaroni.


I am getting desperate here. Its driving me nuts. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Looks like you have seriously messed up your permissions. Boot to your OS X installer disk, and use the option to Archive & Install. Run Software Update when that reinstall is complete, to allow your system to fully update.
Be sure to Repair Permissions with Disk Utility when the reinstall and all updates have completed.

You usually would not ever be asked for a password for any authentication when you are logged in as a root user, so that's another indication that your system is really out of whack.
 
Thanks for the input. Ivenever done an archive and install, will I have to reinstall all of my applications and files after that? What are the risks of loosing things?
 
There can be some risk any time you reinstall. You should have a current backup.
However, an Archive & Install is relatively safe. Your documents, and the applications that you may have installed should remain as you expect them to work. The Archive & Install simply reinstalls a fresh set of system software, and imports everything else as part of that process.
Boot to the installer. Continue on the screen where you choose your hard drive as the destination. Click the Options button, then choose the Archive & Install option, making sure to also select the sub-option to save your files and settings. Then, continue on with the install, which will likely take 30 minutes or so. Your Mac will restart when complete.
Run your Software Update to make sure your system is up-to-date.
Run Disk Utility when the updates complete, and click the Repair Disk Permissions button.
You should then be back to normal operation...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top