Permissions Question

[crjackson2134]

Each time I verify/repair disk permission I get this error

Group differs on “Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf.plist”; should be 80; group is 0.

I wonder what keeps changing the permission status of this file, and how I should I address the issue (if at all). I've let disk utility repair this several times, but it keeps coming back.

Suggestions?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Have you tried deleting "com.apple.alf.plist" in Macintosh HD / Users / YOU / Library / Preferences / yet? It will be recreated upon need.

Why do you repair permissions in the first place?

 

[GGJstudios]

Some people repair, or recommend repairing permissions for situations where it isn't appropriate. Repairing permissions only addresses very specific issues. It is not a "cure all" or a general performance enhancer, and doesn't need to be done on a regular basis. It also doesn't address permissions problems with your files or 3rd party apps.

Five Mac maintenance myths About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature​

Disk Utility repairs the permissions for files installed by the Mac OS X Installer, Software Update, or an Apple software installer. It doesn’t repair permissions for your documents, your home folder, and third-party applications. You can verify or repair permissions only on a disk with Mac OS X installed.

Does Disk Utility check permissions on all files? Files that aren't installed as part of an Apple-originated installer package are not listed in a receipt and therefore are not checked. For example, if you install an application using a non-Apple installer application, or by copying it from a disk image, network volume, or other disk instead of installing it via Installer, a receipt file isn't created. This is expected. Some applications are designed to be installed in one of those ways. Also, certain files whose permissions can be changed during normal usage without affecting their function are intentionally not checked.

Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X​

If repairing permissions results in error messages, some of these messages can be ignored and should be no cause for concern.

Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore​

 

[crjackson2134]

Can this help?

Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore

Why do you repair permissions in the first place?

I was repairing because every time I reboot the system, the trashcan was placing a Recovered Files folder in there. Repairing the permissions fixed the problem, but as a result, I noticed the reoccurring instances of the stated error.

 

[benwiggy]

I was repairing because every time I reboot the system, the trashcan was placing a Recovered Files folder in there. Repairing the permissions fixed the problem, but as a result, I noticed the reoccurring instances of the stated error.

First of all, Repair Permissions ALWAYS reports that some files "should be" something else, but doesn't do anything about it. All is well: you can ignore that.

Secondly: the presence of Recovered Files has nothing to do with Permissions, but is to do with poor housekeeping by some apps. On reboot, those files are put into the Trash as "recovered files". This is not something you need to worry about or do anything about, short of emptying the trash. OS X has already done the tidying up.

 

[crjackson2134]

First of all, Repair Permissions ALWAYS reports that some files "should be" something else, but doesn't do anything about it. All is well: you can ignore that.

Secondly: the presence of Recovered Files has nothing to do with Permissions, but is to do with poor housekeeping by some apps. On reboot, those files are put into the Trash as "recovered files". This is not something you need to worry about or do anything about, short of emptying the trash. OS X has already done the tidying up.

Okay, thanks for the information, that's what I was hoping for.

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Some people repair, or recommend repairing permissions for situations where it isn't appropriate. Repairing permissions only addresses very specific issues. It is not a "cure all" or a general performance enhancer, and doesn't need to be done on a regular basis. It also doesn't address permissions problems with your files or 3rd party apps.

Five Mac maintenance myths About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature​

Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X​

If repairing permissions results in error messages, some of these messages can be ignored and should be no cause for concern.

Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore​

Thanks for the link. I think it's probably something I can ignore, but I wanted to ask more seasoned OSX users to make sure I haven't got a symptom of another problem I haven't considered.

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Have you tried deleting "com.apple.alf.plist" in Macintosh HD / Users / YOU / Library / Preferences / yet? It will be recreated upon need.

Why do you repair permissions in the first place?

No I haven't, but I might do that just to see what happens.

 

[benwiggy]

Have you tried deleting "com.apple.alf.plist" in Macintosh HD / Users / YOU / Library / Preferences / yet? It will be recreated upon need.

That plist file is in /Library/Preferences (top level of hard drive), not ~/Library/Preferences, (user Library folder).

 

[crjackson2134]

That plist file is in /Library/Preferences (top level of hard drive), not ~/Library/Preferences, (user Library folder).

Gotcha... I believe it's just the Firewall Preferences anyway.