Did I permanently break my Mac?

xJxDx0926 · Jun 12, 2011

So yesterday my black MacBook I got in late 2008 which runs leopard was acting kind of slow. I went to see if maybe I had to much data on my hard drive. So I clicked on hard drive properties and then I saw at the bottom there was something that said access ( I think? This is all from memory as I can't get on) and I remember it's saying something like read and write for admin and you could change things etc. But I noticed there was a "everybody" option and it was set to read only ( I think)

So I thought that this meant that other people could see my data ( which I can't have happening considering I have work stuff on here) so I made it so you couldn't get onto it.I forget what my options were but I know I changed it. This is all from memory so I'm sorry if it's confusing.

So I do that and nothing happens, this morning I turn it on and the start up sound happens and I see the apple and see the spinning thing but it doesn't do anything after that. It never goes past that screen.

Is what I did the cause of this or did something else happen.

Also, how do I fix it?

Lifeisabeach · Jun 12, 2011

xJxDx0926 said:
So yesterday my black MacBook I got in late 2008 which runs leopard was acting kind of slow. I went to see if maybe I had to much data on my hard drive. So I clicked on hard drive properties and then I saw at the bottom there was something that said access ( I think? This is all from memory as I can't get on) and I remember it's saying something like read and write for admin and you could change things etc. But I noticed there was a "everybody" option and it was set to read only ( I think)

So I thought that this meant that other people could see my data ( which I can't have happening considering I have work stuff on here) so I made it so you couldn't get onto it.I forget what my options were but I know I changed it. This is all from memory so I'm sorry if it's confusing.

So I do that and nothing happens, this morning I turn it on and the start up sound happens and I see the apple and see the spinning thing but it doesn't do anything after that. It never goes past that screen.

Is what I did the cause of this or did something else happen.

Also, how do I fix it?

It appears you have modified your permissions to the point that it is unbootable. You can try booting in Safe Mode. Failing that, boot from the install disk and use Disk Utilities to try and repair permissions. See link below for full instructions on what to do. If this fails, you are facing reinstallation of your OS.
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck

xJxDx0926 · Jun 12, 2011

So the fsck and safe mode would not work, I don't have my disks anymore either. I never updated to snow leopard.

Can I boot from a snow leopard upgrade disk to fix this or do I have to buy the snow leopard os disk outright?

bobtomay · Jun 12, 2011

You'll need to either restore from your SuperDuper! or CarbonCopyCloner backup (or you could just boot into that backup and put the permissions back) or head out and spend the $30 to buy yourself a retail copy of Snow Leopard.

Ben Bledsoe · Jun 13, 2011

This is the sharing & permissions issue
Repair disk permissions & Troubleshoot your Mac
Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X
If nothing happens reinstall your OSX & Restore your data from your Time Machine backup..

xJxDx0926 · Jul 19, 2011

ok i finally located my os disks,

the issue is, I stupidly don;t have a time machine.

So is there any way to do so without losing my data?? Will I loose everything if I re install the new OS?

chscag · Jul 19, 2011

Did you try repairing permissions first as you were advised to do? You'll need to boot the machine with your install DVD, select the language, and then choose "Utilities", "Disk Utility" from the top menu. Over on the right side of the menu you'll see the "repair permissions" button. Select that and let it run. It may take awhile but if it works, you should be able to boot back into OS X as per normal.

xJxDx0926 · Jul 19, 2011

the "verify disk permissions" button is greyed out (unclickable) . DO I have to verify the disk first?

chscag · Jul 20, 2011

Looks like the drive permissions have you locked out even when booting from the install DVD. It's probably going to take a disk wipe and reinstall to fix it. You may be able to fix permissions from Terminal. My terminal is rusty and don't want to give you a command line that will make matters worse. Let's wait until someone who is more familiar with using the terminal can help.

In the meantime be prepared to wipe the drive. One thing about Leopard which is good is that it will do an archive and install. Hopefully it will allow you to do that as it would preserve your data.

xJxDx0926 · Jul 20, 2011

chscag said:
Looks like the drive permissions have you locked out even when booting from the install DVD. It's probably going to take a disk wipe and reinstall to fix it. You may be able to fix permissions from Terminal. My terminal is rusty and don't want to give you a command line that will make matters worse. Let's wait until someone who is more familiar with using the terminal can help.

In the meantime be prepared to wipe the drive. One thing about Leopard which is good is that it will do an archive and install. Hopefully it will allow you to do that as it would preserve your data.

thanks. What are the odds of someone knowing the terminal lines?

If the archive works I will just wipe it with a re installation of the OS but I would need to know that it works.

randalthor · Jul 20, 2011

Yea, wiping the disk won't let you do an archive and install. If you wipe the disk, you're boned and will have to move your stuff manually from your backup.

purple · Jul 20, 2011

Have you considered. As a workaround

Best wishes.

xJxDx0926 · Jul 20, 2011

is there any other option of a back up at this point?

Did I permanently break my Mac?

xJxDx0926

Lifeisabeach

xJxDx0926

bobtomay

,

Ben Bledsoe

xJxDx0926

chscag

Well-known member

xJxDx0926

chscag

Well-known member

xJxDx0926

randalthor

purple

xJxDx0926

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