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10.5.3 - mark_kernel file in Stacks

NeXTLoop

NeXTLoop

macrumors member
Original poster
I have my Macintosh HD volume in the Dock to function as a Stack. After the 10.5.3 update, there's a file in the list called "mach_kernel.ctfsys". Its definitely an invisible file since I can't see it when I manually look at the Macintosh HD volume in the Finder. It only shows when the volume is in the Dock as a Stack or List.

Anyone else notice this?
 
I know its nothing to worry about. Its one of the default System Files. Its just disconcerting to see it in the Stack since it would be very easy to accidently click on it.

For now I've removed my HD from my Dock Stacks.
 
Mariux.mac said:
i deleted it no problems
Click to expand...

That probably wasn't a good idea. There's a number of reports that deleting can lead to problems with OS X. Its definitely supposed to be there. The only question is why its partially visible.
 
This is just like in Tiger where there were two similar files that appeared in the docked hard drive but not in Finder.

I've tried to click on this new one in 10.5.3 but "there is no default application to open that file." I'm going to do what I did with the Tiger ones - either use the developer tools command setfile to make it invisible, or add it to the .hidden file in my home folder.

Damn neither of those things worked 🙁.

But the method described here: https://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-382214.html

by 'dvd', did work. I had to remove the hard drive stack from the dock and then drag it back there, but that pesky file doesn't show anymore 🙂.
 
Was just about to start a thread on this.

Yes, it's happening to me as well. However, the only file shown is the mach_kernel.ctfsys file. If I look in terminal there are obviously lots of other system files that do not show up in the stack, including a file called mach_kernel

Finder doesn't show the file, only the stack does. Doesn't matter what view either, Fan, Grid or List, they all show the file.

I do not think deleting this file is a good idea.

-Kevin

Picture 1.png

Picture 2.png

Picture 3.png

MartiNZ said:
But the method described here: https://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-382214.html

by 'dvd', did work. I had to remove the hard drive stack from the dock and then drag it back there, but that pesky file doesn't show anymore 🙂.
Click to expand...

After reading 'dvd' remarks, something in the 10.5.3 update turned off the hidden attribute on that file.

Anyone care to test setting it to hide again?!?

Anything with 'mach' or 'kernel' scares me 😱

-Kevin
 
try this

Using the Terminal utility enter these commands:

Code: 
cd /
Code: 
sudo nano .hidden

paste this into nano:

Code: 
mach_kernel.ctfsys

Hit control+O to save the file

Quit Terminal and reboot.
 
Yep as above:

the .hidden file approach did not work for me - either in / or in ~/ - I used emacs though, as I know how to work with it 🙂.

the chflags approach (linked) did work for me, and my stacks no longer show the file. Good times.
 
I can also confirm that the following command worked just fine:

Code: 
sudo chflags hidden mach_kernel.ctfsys

Then a quick
Code: 
killall Dock
and no more file in my stack.

I have done a reboot and everything seems fine now.

-Kevin

I have submitted a bug report to Apple on this.

-Kevin
 
Has anyone tried using Super Get Info, and setting the file to "hidden"? Worse case scenario I'll just wait for Apple to fix it. It's not like it does any harm.
 
I don't see them fixing it, at least not specifically, maybe the next time that file is actually changed. The same thing was/is true for two files in the root directory on Tiger, for the whole of its inception, and no fix ever came.
 
Since I upgraded to 10.5.3 I can see the mach_kernel.ctfsys file in the time machine finder for the hard drive. I have just left it alone and I have not had any problem since the upgrade but it definitely has had me a little concerned.
 
Deleting it doesn't work anyways.

I tried dragging it from the Dock view into the Trash and it wouldn't delete it.
 
I have it also and has only appeared since 10.5.3 and is god dam 10.2 mb in size so has some importance in the system somewhere
 
Bodine said:
Since I upgraded to 10.5.3 I can see the mach_kernel.ctfsys file in the time machine finder for the hard drive. I have just left it alone and I have not had any problem since the upgrade but it definitely has had me a little concerned.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be concerned. The file has always been there, it's just been hidden prior to 10.5.3.

I've had no problems setting the file back to hidden.

-Kevin
 
If you have the Developer tools installed, this should make it hidden again:

sudo /Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V /mach_kernel.ctfsys
 
NeXTLoop said:
How? Several people have tried different methods that haven't worked.
Click to expand...

The method posted previously works.

1. Open Terminal
2. Type: cd / and press return. This will put you in the root of the system.
3. Type: sudo chflags hidden mach_kernel.ctfsys and press return.
4. Enter your password at the prompt.

This has worked on my 2 machines. Now the thing is, the Dock has to be restarted for the Stacks to update.

To restart the Dock:

1. Open Terminal
2. Type: killall Dock and press return (Dock must be capitalized)

Your Dock should restart, and your Stacks should be updated.

This is all from the following thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/5022601/

-Kevin
 
I am new to macs, so forgive the newbie question, but shouldn't the kernel files (hidden or not) be in the system folder. Why is it outside of all the folder on the HD?

Thanks
 
^ the kernel and the unix files are in the root of the hard drive i.e. "/" or Macintosh HD because Mac OS X is a form of FreeBSD.

The Terminal window below shows all the files/folders hidden or visible in /.

Screencapture 9.jpg
 
The file is also visible in Path Finder, so it's not limited to stacks. Running kbmb's terminal command made it disappear.

I'm guessing there's some bug that made it invisible to the Finder even though it wasn't actually hidden. Or maybe that was a "feature" they forgot to apply to the rest of the system. 😉
 
kbmb said:
Type: cd / and press return. This will put you in the root of the system.
Click to expand...

Is the "cd /" necessary? I only put "sudo chflags hidden mach_kernel.ctfsys" into Terminal and that seemed to work.

Did I do anything potentially damaging?
 
Enzobot24 said:
Is the "cd /" necessary? I only put "sudo chflags hidden mach_kernel.ctfsys" into Terminal and that seemed to work.

Did I do anything potentially damaging?
Click to expand...

The 'cd /' is just the command to change the working directory to the root of the filesystem. Maybe your terminal window started you in the root so changing to it wasn't necessary. My terminal defaults to my home folder, so that's why I had to do the cd /.

I'm assuming that the file is no longer listed in your stacks?

-Kevin
 
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