[terry_nyorks]

After loading some software (Maxtor one touch backup, and Retrospect express), unsuccessfully, I started getting error messages. Having eliminated some (via deleting hidden files) I am still stuck with the last error message, below, - can anyone help?

On restarting I still get "Insecure startup items folder detected" but the rest have gone ; so is there a possibility that .ds_store & .localised are still corrupted at the root of '/library' or somewhere else? If so, how to fix that?

Please see:

Apple - Support - Discussions - startup items error ...


Macbook Mac OS X (10.6.4)

[P]

This might actually be that rare case where repairing permissions might do something. Try that.

[terry_nyorks]

Ran Permissions checked from Disk Utility app -many items shown wrong, mostly with airport, changing '-r--' to '-rw-' .

(Instructions courtesy : Using Mac OS X, how do I repair permissions, and what does that do? - Knowledge Base).

But still have same problem with "Insecure startupitems folder"
error message on re-booting.

Is there a possibility
a) that the 'removed' .ds_store and .localised files are on the desktop, though renamed (apart from the live newly created one) - are still used? or,
b) the .ds_store in the root of MackinstoshHD is growing, but looks as if it is full of repetition, etc, as well as non-print ASCII characters? (Anyone want to review as txt file?)

Thanks for your suggestion, Mr 'P', so far - but still stuck, so any more suggestions.

[P]

.DS_store and .localized have nothing to do with ther error you are getting. DS_store is about the size, location and configuration of the window used to view that folder. .localized is an indication that the folder name shown by Finder should be translated to the current language of the OS.

Permissions are set by the so called modbits and by something called an ACL. Modbits are just a few bits in the file directory entry. ACLs are a so-called extended attribute of the file - suffice to say, not a separate file at all.

Without seeing the exact entry in the log, I can't say exactly which file you want. In /System/Library, all folders are owned by root:wheel and the permissions are rwx for root and rx for everyone else. That is the case for everything except User Template. In /Library, things are more varied, but the StartupItems folder is still owned by root:wheel and only owner write privileges.