logging in as root/permission problems

mmoin · 03:31 PM

So I just got my iBook today, and it's cool, except I'm having a bit of a problem with permissions. I connected my iBook to my old PC laptop via ethernet, and copied over most of my stuff. However, now that I copied everything over, it won't let me delete any of what I've copied over (I want to move my music over to my iTunes folder, for example). When I try, it returns the message- "The item cannot be moved to the trash because it cannot be deleted". How can I delete items that I transferred over?

I've tried repairing permissions, and it didn't fix it. Also, I tried logging in as root, and it wouldn't let me log in- the username and password are both "root", right?

Thanks, Andrew

rainman::|:| · Jan 14, 2003, 04:14 PM

You must activate Root by using Directory Access in your utilities folder. Then choose a password. If it was just "root", that'd be a good way for hackers to screw you royally, wouldn't it? What you might want to do here is repair permissions off of the install CD. sounds like that's your problem, since you created the files when you copied them, you should have full access including the ability to delete them.

Try repairing permissions before you mess around with root. You're likely to damage your system if you start playing around with it--

pnw

mmoin · Jan 14, 2003, 04:55 PM

The thing is that I didn't actually create them- I copied them when I was on my dell laptop, connected via Samba. So, I think my iBook might think that I'm not the original creator of the files and can't delete them.

How do I enable root in directory access? I've repaired permissions after booting from the install CD, and it didn't fix the problem.

thanks for the help so far.

mnkeybsness · Jan 14, 2003, 05:09 PM

instead of messing with root, go to www.versiontracker.com and download a program called "delete it" all you need is an admin password and you can delete any file....just be careful and only delete the files that you know aren't part of the system

King Cobra · Jan 14, 2003, 06:46 PM

Read carefully

mmoin · Jan 14, 2003, 07:05 PM

What I ended up doing instead was just copying the files from the directories, so I had ownership over the new files. Then, I logged in as the old account from my dell and deleted the old files. Then, I just deleted the account. Thanks for your responses, though- I was looking for how to enable the root user just in case I needed to use it.

Jan 14, 2003, 03:24 PM	#1
mmoin macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2001	logging in as root/permission problems So I just got my iBook today, and it's cool, except I'm having a bit of a problem with permissions. I connected my iBook to my old PC laptop via ethernet, and copied over most of my stuff. However, now that I copied everything over, it won't let me delete any of what I've copied over (I want to move my music over to my iTunes folder, for example). When I try, it returns the message- "The item cannot be moved to the trash because it cannot be deleted". How can I delete items that I transferred over? I've tried repairing permissions, and it didn't fix it. Also, I tried logging in as root, and it wouldn't let me log in- the username and password are both "root", right? Thanks, Andrew Last edited by mmoin : Jan 14, 2003 at 03:31 PM.

Jan 14, 2003, 04:55 PM	#3
mmoin Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2001	but... The thing is that I didn't actually create them- I copied them when I was on my dell laptop, connected via Samba. So, I think my iBook might think that I'm not the original creator of the files and can't delete them. How do I enable root in directory access? I've repaired permissions after booting from the install CD, and it didn't fix the problem. thanks for the help so far.

Jan 14, 2003, 05:09 PM	#4
mnkeybsness macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Moneyapolis, Minnesota	instead of messing with root, go to www.versiontracker.com and download a program called "delete it" all you need is an admin password and you can delete any file....just be careful and only delete the files that you know aren't part of the system __________________ Scribbls - a collaborative drawing community designed to combine drawings into outcomes—no talent required.

Jan 14, 2003, 06:46 PM	#5
King Cobra Guest Join Date: Mar 2002	How to use root user Read carefully

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Jan 14, 2003, 04:14 PM	#2
rainman::\|:\| macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: iowa	You must activate Root by using Directory Access in your utilities folder. Then choose a password. If it was just "root", that'd be a good way for hackers to screw you royally, wouldn't it? What you might want to do here is repair permissions off of the install CD. sounds like that's your problem, since you created the files when you copied them, you should have full access including the ability to delete them. Try repairing permissions before you mess around with root. You're likely to damage your system if you start playing around with it-- pnw

Jan 14, 2003, 07:05 PM	#6
mmoin Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2001	What I ended up doing instead was just copying the files from the directories, so I had ownership over the new files. Then, I logged in as the old account from my dell and deleted the old files. Then, I just deleted the account. Thanks for your responses, though- I was looking for how to enable the root user just in case I needed to use it.