"sufficient privileges" error when trying to copy over backed up folders

hey all,

I tried searching for an answer, but I really don't have the time right now to spend 2 hours doing that. I just had my iBook (G4 14") returned to me from repair. It was in 3 times in 3 weeks, but now everything seems to be fine. They had to replace the hard drive, so I backed up 4 folders in the Macintosh HD folder (one level above Users): Applications, Library, System and Users. When I got the computer going today, I thought it would be as simple as copying those folders over and just clicking on "replace". However, when I tried that, the computer told me the operation could not be performed because I did not have "sufficient privileges" to carry it out. I was logged in as an admin and I even tried other methods, including deleting those folders or replacing them one at a time, but with the same result - no "sufficient privileges". What is going on here exactly and how do I go about this now? Thanks.

sps

 

What about other user folders that I had added on the old machine? And copying over files that I should leave alone vs those that need to be changed. I couldn't make an image of my drive when i was backing up because the drive itself was the problem, so it was flunking the image process.

sps

 

Ah, ok well that makes sense now. I'll do a better job of backing up stuff next time. I was able to copy folders within the one set of folder to within the other set of folders, so I think I'm all set. Unless something blows up....