Repair Permissions Is Voodoo

[Mayo]

Repair Permissions Is Voodoo

Food For Thought...  

[sandbox]

QUOTE

Arguing that you (a) run Repair Permissions all the time and (b) have no permission problems, and then drawing the conclusion that there’s a cause-and-effect relationship there, is like arguing that your diligent avoidance of sidewalk cracks has a causal relationship to the fact that your mother’s back is doing just fine. Troubleshooting computers is science, not magic.

HeHe

[pendragon]

FWIW:

Often seen about the "help" sites, including MacFixIt (as I recall), is the suggestion (requirement?) that one Repair Permissions before installing an OS upgrade or updater.

Verifying the volume before the install with Disk Warrior makes sense to me, as does performing the install while in Safe Boot mode (precludes third party apps from interfering), but Repairing Permissions prior to an OS install is a waste of time (IMNHO). Even if your permissions were totally borked, it won't matter. AFAIK, the installer runs as root and permissions have no effect on root.

OTOH, repairing permissions after the install, well, that make sense (to me).

[sandbox]

I've always used your repair permission advice and have credited it to the good service that my Mac's have bestowed upon me. I made it part of my weekly maintenance program.

QUOTE(pendragon @ May 21 2009, 07:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

FWIW:

Often seen about the "help" sites, including MacFixIt (as I recall), is the suggestion (requirement?) that one Repair Permissions before installing an OS upgrade or updater.

Verifying the volume before the install with Disk Warrior makes sense to me, as does performing the install while in Safe Boot mode (precludes third party apps from interfering), but Repairing Permissions prior to an OS install is a waste of time (IMNHO). Even if your permissions were totally borked, it won't matter. AFAIK, the installer runs as root and permissions have no effect on root.

OTOH, repairing permissions after the install, well, that make sense (to me).

[pendragon]

'Tis hardly consolation, but for the longest time, I (too) repaired permissions prior to an OS install. That, in my old age, I may have learned the error of ways, well, that is but mere happenstance.

And FWIW, I have two pieces of advice:
1) Be suspect of those offering such...