Locked out of folders even though Admin has read/write

[parkds]

Hello,
I am hoping someone might be able to help me. I recently used the migration assistant to move my data to a new Mac. Along the way I have encountered some odd (and widespread) permission issues. I have included a screen shot to issue. Folders inside the Library folder (both system and user) are randomly showing the red no-access symbol. When I "get info" and look at the permissions, it says the admin (me) has read/write access, but I clearly do not.

This permission issue randomly spreads to new folders after restarts. Any idea what is going on or how to properly resolve this?

I used migration assistant to move my data and I am using the same short & long user name and password as on my old machine. Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

VERY important questions:

Before you ran migration assistant, did you create a NEW account on the new Mac?
Using the same username and password as you used on the old Mac?

That IS NOT "the way to do it".

IF you did that, you are now in permissions hell, because even though the accounts may have the same username and password, THE MAC THINKS THEY ARE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS -- because, well... because they are.

Before going further, some questions:
- Do you still have the OLD Mac?
- Do you have an external drive?
- How long have you been using the NEW Mac (the one that has two accounts)?

Here's how I'd fix it (and my advice is always different from other advice you'll see here):

1. On the old Mac, I'd connect an external drive and then use CarbonCopyCloner to create a cloned backup. CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days.
2. On the new Mac, I'd create a new, temporary account with administrative privileges. DO NOT give this the same name as your "regular" account.
3. I'd log into the new temporary account, and then DELETE all other accounts (yes, DELETE them completely)
4. Then I'd connect the backup that has all your data from the old Mac.
5. NOW I'd open migration assistant, let it "digest" the contents of the backup drive, and then migrate the "old account" to the NEW Mac.
6. When done, you will have your "old existing" account on the NEW Mac, and all your files will have been brought along with it. NO PERMISSIONS PROBLEMS.

That's how I'd do it.
There are other ways, some that involve arcane terminal commands (such as "chown") that others will have to explain how to use.