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kpnv · Apr 15, 2009, 03:27 PM

Help!

I'm running a all alum mbp on 10.5.6

I accidentally changed the permissions (from read to read & write for everyone, admin) on the HD and hit the cog wheel (i had no idea what i was really doing, trying to fix some program not being able to write or something), which screwed up the computer. It then got stuck in a booting loop until I put in a install disk. I ran disk util and repaired permissions. All this, I sourced off the internet despite being noob at osx/macs in general.

This allowed me to boot normally. Unfortunately, I now cannot move or copy and paste files and folders. I have tried various fixes but can't seem to find a fix.

Is there some way I could possibly fix this without a reinstall?

If I really can't I am considering to reinstall the OS. However, the disk tells me I can't install it.

Does this mean that I would have to erase the partition in disk utility or somesuch? Also, I read somewhere that I have some option to archive the existing installation. How do I go about doing this?

Much thanks in advance!

CharlesS · Apr 15, 2009, 03:33 PM

If it's just permissions, there's no reason you should have to reformat. What exact error do you get when you try to move a file, and where are you trying to move it when you get the error?

Also, have you tried running Repair Permissions from your boot drive instead of the CD?

kpnv · Apr 15, 2009, 03:36 PM

the problem is the file doesn't even move if i try to drag and drop. i can copy or i think i can but i definitely cant paste. the option is always greyed out. i've tried moving from the trash to another folder and from folder to folder folder to desktop, all doesn't work.

no i havent tried running repair from the boot, how do i do that?

kpnv · Apr 15, 2009, 03:43 PM

if you mean running repair perms after i've booted the comp, yes i have done so

CharlesS · Apr 15, 2009, 03:45 PM

Just run Disk Utility - it's in your /Applications/Utilities folder.

Exactly what folder are you trying to drag to? What exactly happens when you try to drag and drop? Do you get an error message of some sort? What does it say? A little more information would be helpful to determine what is going on.

kpnv · Apr 15, 2009, 03:58 PM

I ran disk util and repaired the permissions. i've tried moving files from and to various folders. everytime, it just doesn't budge. a manual copy seems to work but the paste option is always greyed out.

i don't have any error messages. i just can't move any files, whether a downloaded file or something from my documents etc.

similar to this thread

only i've managed to boot but i cant move any files

CharlesS · Apr 15, 2009, 04:09 PM

If you try to move a file via drag and drop and it doesn't work, the Finder will usually give you an error message. Can you please try a move via drag and drop and tell us what happens? Can you also tell us exactly what you're trying to move, what folder you're trying to move it from, and what folder you're trying to move it to?

kpnv · Apr 15, 2009, 10:31 PM

OK, let me try to re-explain my problem, perhaps that might help.

I was trying to install a WoW patch. It didn't work. So I was reading around and it seemed the problem was supposed to be with permissions and the updater program didn't have them. So I thought it would be a good idea to maybe try and make everything permissible on my harddisk (I was obviously wrong). So, I changed the permissions on Macintosh HD for everyone to read & write. Then, I even clicked the apply to enclosed files cog wheel.

This screwed up my system and it wouldn't boot. I managed to fix this by inserting my dad's install disk (i don't have my own atm). It doesn't allow me to install OSX but I can run disk utility and from there, I repaired permissions. This allowed me to boot as per normal.

However, I seem to have lost all copy/paste/move functionality entirely. I cannot drag and drop files because they won't budge. I also cannot copy and paste files. The paste option under edit is always greyed out. I have tried this on various files and various folders. I only noticed when I tried to move something away from the trash back to its own folder. The problem isn't with the mouse either. I get no error messages. Is there some log somewhere I could find and post?

I have also tried running disk utility after a normal boot and repair permissions from there. It doesn't make a difference. Also, checking the activity monitor reveals my pasteboard server isn't there. I run this manually, it pops up for a bit and then disappears.

Spheric Harlot · Apr 16, 2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by kpnv

This screwed up my system and it wouldn't boot. I managed to fix this by inserting my dad's install disk (i don't have my own atm). It doesn't allow me to install OSX but I can run disk utility and from there, I repaired permissions.

Is your dad's install disk a 10.5 Leopard disk?

If not: A 10.4 Install disk and its Disk Utility CANNOT properly repair permissions on a 10.5 disk.

Permissions management has changed in Leopard.

kpnv · Apr 16, 2009, 03:38 AM

its a 10.5.5 disk

i went down to the apple store and was informed that i need my own disk that came with the computer to do a reinstall.

thanks for the help so far guys, appreciate it!

CharlesS · Apr 16, 2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by kpnv

I have also tried running disk utility after a normal boot and repair permissions from there. It doesn't make a difference. Also, checking the activity monitor reveals my pasteboard server isn't there. I run this manually, it pops up for a bit and then disappears.

There we go, now at least we know what the problem is. Yeah, if pbs and/or coreservicesd isn't running, you won't be able to drag and drop or copy and paste.

Before you go to the trouble of a reinstall, can you open the Console application and see if anything gets logged when either pbs or coreservicesd crashes? Maybe reboot and then check system.log for references to either of those two daemons. Another thing - I don't know what this WoW patch installs, but check to see if it put anything in /Library/InputManagers or if it put ApplicationEnhancer.framework in /Library/Frameworks - these two locations can sometimes be a common cause of weird problems like this, and if that's what it is, removing those can be a lot less hassle than reinstalling the whole OS.

kpnv · 08:35 PM

i tried running pbs. coreservices looks like its running fine.

this is what console shows under all messages. i didn't see anything under console messages.

system.log
Apr 17 11:13:26 iProk login[1125]: USER_PROCESS: 1125 ttys000
Apr 17 11:13:41 iProk login[1125]: DEAD_PROCESS: 1125 ttys000

it just appears in activity monitor for 20 secs or so and disappears.

also the wow patch failed to install anything, it didn't work there was some server side problem with the files they linked. that's a separate issue.

Macfreak7 · Apr 23, 2009, 02:13 AM

I vaguely remember a similar issue at some point trying to copy / move files to the desktop. It turned out to be a problem with a certain desktop file and/or user problem. Try creating a new user and see if the problem persists.

(here's a link... not the same, but similar, problem as the OP here. http://forums.macosxhints.com/archiv...p/t-64268.html )

(and another link.. http://macosx.com/tech-support/mac/c...cons/4682.html )

Hope that helps.