Author Topic: Disk Utility (Read 3196 times)

Nick · « **on:** July 10, 2003, 12:14:52 AM »

I have recently updated to OS 10.2.6 and for some reason the Disk Utility does not work anymore. All buttons are greyed out. As far as I know I am always logged in as the administrator as the computer is set up for single user only.
I ran Disk Utility from the install disk and that worked,but after restarting the computer, the disk utility on my iMac still didn't work. According to Applecare I cannot re-install Disk utility from my install CD, but I must re-install the original OS and then upgrade (again) to my present OS 10.2.6
I am a bit weary about doing that as I am not very familiar with this new OS.I also don't know if it is possible to upgrade straight from the original OS X that came with my computer to OS 10.2.6 without problems. It was a lot easier on OS 9 to do this sort of thing.And I still can't figure out what happened to my Disk Utility for it to stop functioning like that. Everything else seems to work fine.Any suggestions anyone?

Thomas S. England · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2003, 04:33:31 AM »

This is a long shot, but when I had that happen it was because I had trashed all of my receipts, which are the .pkg files located in Library>Receipts.

These are the large files left behind when you do installs. I thought that their work here was done, and, for the most part, that's true. I cleared them out in a space-saving effort.

I'll do moves like that since I keep a complete Carbon Copy Clone on an external drive, so I can fix any problems that arise.

It turned out that in order to repair permissions, OS X requires that two of those be in place: BaseSystem.pkg and Essentials.pkg. I put them back & was once again able to repair permissions.

BTW, you can use Pacifist to selectively extract files from the installer disk:
http://www.charlessoft.com/

Nick · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2003, 06:02:48 AM »

Did the re-install of Disk Utility with Pacifist. thanks for that. However, still no joy. Disk Aid recognizes the install CD and the verify Button turns black, but when I select HD, everything stays grey.Do i find the other pkg.'s you mentioned also on the install CD ?

Thomas S. England · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2003, 07:19:38 AM »

Yes, you should be able to find those packages with Pacifist.

However, check first to see if they are in Library>Receipts. If they are already there, I doubt that's your problem.

If it comes to it, you can find a "Combo" installer on Apple's site, which, as I understand it, will let you jump to 10.2.6 from where you find yourself after a reinstall from your CD. I've read that many people have better luck with the combo.

Here's where I learned of all this: http://www.macattorney.com/tutorial.html

and here's more details from that site:

Unable To Repair Disk Permissions

A number of users have experienced dimmed "Verify Disk Permissions" and "Repair Disk Permissions" buttons in Disk Utility, particularly after updating to Mac OS X 10.2.4. This is caused by the absence of necessary package files in the /Library/Receipts folder.

In most case users with this problem have deleted "receipt" (.pkg) files from this folder thinking they were unnecessary files. These files are where the information is stored that Disk Utility needs to repair permissions.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106900

To fix this problem, insert the Jaguar (OS X 10.2) Install Disc 1 and double-click on the CD icon to open its root directory. Open the /System/Installation/Packages folder and copy the following files to your /Library/Receipts folder. This will allow Disk Utility's "Repair Disk Permissions" to function again.

BaseSystem.pkg
AdditionalApplications.pkg
AdditionalFonts.pkg (if installed)
any applicable packages which end in "PrinterDrivers.pkg"
and
any applicable language packages.

Alternatively, you could copy these files from another computer running Mac OS X 10.2.x or from a backup of OS X 10.2.x.

http://www.macintouch.com/mosxreader10.2pt...pt55.html#mar19

pendragon · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2003, 07:20:36 AM »

Nick,

Perhaps the ownership of the Disk Utility got changed somehow, thus graying out the buttons and precluding you from initiating the activities you desire (and is probably worth the time checking).

To verify that you still have Administrator privileges for the Disk Utility-

1. Go to Applications/Utilities and click once on Disk Utility to highlight it.
2. Do a Get Info on this (Command + I)
3. In the next window, toggle the Ownership & Permissions triangle
4. Ensure the following:
   Owner: System
   Access: Read & Write
   Group: Admin
   Access: Read & Write
   Others: Read only

If this is not the case, click on the lock icon (if it is locked) and make the required changes by using the drop down menus.

P.S. If this still does not solve the proble, you may wish to consider using Cocktail, a donation-ware (highly rated) utility that among other things, repairs permissions. http://www2.dicom.se/cocktail/index.html

HTH
Harv

Nick · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2003, 05:33:53 AM »

Thanks for all the advice. I have tried all you suggested , but no luck so far. I suppose i'll have to re-install the system one of these days. In the meantime everything else works ok, so I suppose I can live without the disk utility. I did install and run a beta version of MacWasher X once before this problem occured. I don't know if that was the culprit. The people at MacWasher did not seem to think so. i have copied all the packages to library/receipts, but stil no result.

pendragon · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2003, 06:02:49 AM »

Nick, Sorry my good advice wasn't.

An additional thought (guess)...

When you upgraded to 10.2.6 did you use the Combo updater? If not, that may be worth doing. You can DL it from Apple and it will (re)install over your present 10.2.6 without problem. The gurus at MFI and elsewhere claim it fixes a myriad of problems. In any event, it will do no harm. I did it; and have not seen reports of this technique causing problems. But still, a good backup couldn't hurt.

Many suggest it is wise to Repair Permissions before as well as after all installations (I dunno). Should you go this route, perhaps you can use your OS Install Disk 1 to access the Utilities.

Harv

Nick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2003, 07:07:15 AM »

I downloaded the combo update, but no change.Funny thing is the Disk Aid recognizes the install CD (or any other CD or dmg.) and the Verify Button turns black, but when I select my HD, everything stays grey. I am mystified. Still , as long as everything else works..I liked Cocktail by the way. Thanks for your interest. Greetings from Down Under.

pendragon · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2003, 07:37:12 AM »

Nick, Since your Volume is not always being recognized, I think (guess [again]) that a directory error could be cause of the problem. If so, running DiskWarrior and/or Drive 10 may be the solution, and shouldn't hurt (famous last words). At least that is what I would do.

BTW, I prefer my witchetty grubs on the barbie, but am uncertain what wine best complements. Waddya think?

Harv

Nick · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2003, 05:26:35 PM »

Ha ha , any good red (Australian of course) will do. Try if you can get hold of a Wirra Wirra Church Block from McLarenvale in South Australia. It's beautiful.

As far as the directory error goes. I only have techTool and it gives the all clear. Would re-installing the original MacOS X (Jaguar) fix it ? And can I update that in one go with the 10.2.6 combo update?

pendragon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2003, 06:30:41 PM »

Nick, I don't know if reinstalling via the combo updater will fix things, but it should not hurt and IMNHO, is worth a try.

The red is on order. Good thing I asked, I thought white was most always preferred with white meat. Thanks for the tip.

Harv

Nick · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2003, 08:52:02 PM »

The combo update didn't fix it, so I will do a complete re-install and update when I have some more time.

If you prefer a white with your grubs try the Scrubby Rise from the same company. Red or white..it all depends on your personal taste and the climate. I would prefer a strong red on a cold day and a crispy white on a hot day. Check here for reviews of wirra wirra : http://www.wirra.com.au/

pendragon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2003, 04:59:05 AM »

Nick, I found the fo;;owing tip at MFI and apparently it works, at least one chap said it did. Maybe it will work for you too...If not, perhaps a bit of that Red will help with your permissions...

"Do you have the file /Library/Receipts/BaseSystem.pkg on your 10.2.6 startup disk? (You need that one to repair permissions.)

I found the package on my 10.2 disk one install disk. System/Installation/Packages/

I copied it over to the library\receipts folder and I am now able to repair my permissions.

The '.pkg' files in /Library/Receipts are very much cut down versions of the Installer packages. They are 'place holders' used both by Software Update (to show whether you are up-to-date or not) and by Repair Permissions to hold the correct Ownership/Permissions information for the files and folders that comprise that package."

HTH

Harv

Nick · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2003, 06:55:59 AM »

Well I finally re-installed the original MacOS 10.2 and Disk Utility and everything else worked fine, then I applied the combo update and so far everything is still going fine. Hope that's the end of this particular issue.

pendragon · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2003, 02:41:55 PM »

Harv

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Author Topic: Disk Utility (Read 3196 times)