editing rights

Arnerd · Arnerd #1 (**permalink**)

09-09-2010, 01:45 PM

hello all

i just bought my new Imac, and its the first apple i ever owned.

im trying to edit a textfile, wich is called hosts
but when i save it, it sais i dont have the rights todo so ...

now i have to find the file in the finder and change the edit/read rights for the file, but i dont know where the file is.
I cant find it, so i think its in a hidden folder

i open the file with the terminal like this
/Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit /etc/hosts

anybody knows how to solve this?

thx so much in advance!!!

Tarek · Tarek #2 (**permalink**)

09-09-2010, 01:54 PM

You can access the system files using this: Show all files in the Finder | Software | Mac OS X Hints | Macworld

Arnerd · Arnerd #3 (**permalink**)

09-09-2010, 02:31 PM

ok thx for that

it works for showing me hidden files, but still, when I do a search in finder after files called hosts, it doesnt show me anything ....

but as mentioned above, I am able to open it true the Terminal ...

what am I not seeing?

thx

McYukon · McYukon #4 (**permalink**)

09-09-2010, 06:01 PM

It is located in the /etc/ directory.
Finder>command+shift+g enter /etc/ to go to the folder.
Hosts by itself is not a hidden file but the folder containing it is and you can't find those files/folder using the Finder because Finder doesn't search in the system files by default.

cradom · cradom #5 (**permalink**)

09-09-2010, 10:36 PM

hosts is a system file which you don't own. You can edit it by opening a Terminal and typing:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
It will ask for your password, the one you login with. If you're not familiar with the nano editor you can use TextWrangler or BBedit which will ask for passwords when editing system files.

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

09-10-2010, 05:37 AM

I'm curious to understand if you don't know where the file is located to find it, how did you open it in order to edit to begin with?

McYukon #4 (permalink)
Member Since: May 14, 2009 Location: Near Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 2,031 Mac Specs: Late 2008 MBP 15" - 2.4 GHz C2D - 8 GB RAM - 60 GB SSD & 500 GB HD - Mac OS 10.8.1 - 32 GB iTouch 4G	09-09-2010, 06:01 PM It is located in the /etc/ directory. Finder>command+shift+g enter /etc/ to go to the folder. Hosts by itself is not a hidden file but the folder containing it is and you can't find those files/folder using the Finder because Finder doesn't search in the system files by default. ~Alex Use the reputation system if a post helps you! Mac Forums IRC Channel - Help build it by hanging out with us The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,819 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	09-10-2010, 05:37 AM I'm curious to understand if you don't know where the file is located to find it, how did you open it in order to edit to begin with? I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wine - dotnet30	littlboz	OS X - Development and Darwin	4	05-26-2010 03:33 PM
Editing HD Feature Film in FCP on macbookpro	mac6666	Movies and Video	5	05-23-2009 08:31 AM
need help upgrading macbook pro for editing (Ram,bigger HD,ext HD)	HaleyKilljoy	Movies and Video	4	11-08-2008 09:33 AM
imac for editing hd?	noa	Switcher Hangout	3	05-01-2007 06:51 PM
A Mac worthy of video editing; what are my options?	thendis	Other Hardware and Peripherals	2	10-26-2004 11:24 AM

editing rights

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

Arnerd #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2010 Posts: 2	09-09-2010, 01:45 PM hello all i just bought my new Imac, and its the first apple i ever owned. im trying to edit a textfile, wich is called hosts but when i save it, it sais i dont have the rights todo so ... now i have to find the file in the finder and change the edit/read rights for the file, but i dont know where the file is. I cant find it, so i think its in a hidden folder i open the file with the terminal like this /Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit /etc/hosts anybody knows how to solve this? thx so much in advance!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

Tarek #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Cairo, Egypt Posts: 735 Mac Specs: 15" MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5	09-09-2010, 01:54 PM You can access the system files using this: Show all files in the Finder \| Software \| Mac OS X Hints \| Macworld
	QUOTE Thanks

cradom #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 14, 2004 Location: South-East Texas Posts: 1,806 Mac Specs: 21in Dual core 3 ghz iMac, 13in Macbook - Mountain Lion on both	09-09-2010, 10:36 PM hosts is a system file which you don't own. You can edit it by opening a Terminal and typing: sudo nano /etc/hosts It will ask for your password, the one you login with. If you're not familiar with the nano editor you can use TextWrangler or BBedit which will ask for passwords when editing system files.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)