Mach_Kernel Found

[Ram171]

I seem to have found this on my Finder/Macintosh HD. Can anyone tell me what this is and what action should be taken if any?

 

[Intell]

That is a system file and should not be messed with. It's best to leave it alone and not to delete or modify it.

 

[dastinger]

For some reason, this file is hidden by default and the reason the OP found it is because Apple messed up with the 10.8.5 update and forgot to hide it.

 

[Ram171]

I never noticed it before. So I should just leave it alone? This system as far as I know is working fine. Hey like they say, if it aint broke don't fix it?

 

[justinf77]

I never noticed it before. So I should just leave it alone? This system as far as I know is working fine. Hey like they say, if it aint broke don't fix it?

You can easily hide it again, just open up a Terminal window and type:

sudo chflags hidden /mach_kernel

 

[MacUser2525]

So I should just leave it alone? This system as far as I know is working fine.

Yes without it your machine will not boot. A kernel in any OS is what is responsible for initializing the hardware so it works with the operating system.

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

Yeah, and when you type in sudo before any command, then it will prompt you for your administrative password (the password you use to sign in to your computer). When you type the password, it will NOT show anything, just a blank space, but type the password as normal, then press ENTER when done. It will then run the command, provided you enter your password correctly 🙂

And, yeah - Apple borked the 10.8.5 update by enabling mach_kernel to be unhidden for some reason. Just hide it and all will be good with the world again.

You can easily hide it again, just open up a Terminal window and type:

sudo chflags hidden /mach_kernel

 

[Ram171]

Thanks guys, will do

 

[Manic Harmonic]

They hide ~/Library and unhide the mach_kernel, Lol... It was a mistake of course, but still ironic.

 

[Ram171]

You can easily hide it again, just open up a Terminal window and type:

sudo chflags hidden /mach_kernel

Well i tried doing this but it still shows up on Macintosh HD..Hmmm oh well, I'll just leave it alone. Thinking of installing Mavericks when it comes out. Will it hide then?

 

[Weaselboy]

Well i tried doing this but it still shows up on Macintosh HD..Hmmm oh well, I'll just leave it alone. Thinking of installing Mavericks when it comes out. Will it hide then?

You may have typed it in wrong, because this should hide it. Try to copy/paste it into Terminal from here. Yes, Mavericks will remedy this also.

sudo chflags hidden /mach_kernel

 

[Ram171]

Fantastic! it worked. All well again