I accidentally deleted /private/var folder

Macetazz · Mar 16, 2013

Soooo, I was told I could delete /private/var/vdm but I deleted "/var/" folder and now I can't run my mac. I tried using the Cmd+V startup and it says:

Crucial filesystem check: Path not present: /var/"foldername"/etc. Will create.

With some files and ends with

launch_msg() : Socket is not connected (x2)
AppleThunderbolt tNHI: :enablePower - turn power off, status = 0x0, result_value = 0x0

I then turned it on normally and it is stuck forever in the apple logo.

What can I do? I don't want to lose all my files and money by going to a repair center.

chscag · Mar 16, 2013

You're going to have to reinstall OS X if you have no backup. You didn't tell us which version of OS X you were running?

Macetazz · Mar 16, 2013

chscag said:
You're going to have to reinstall OS X if you have no backup. You didn't tell us which version of OS X you were running?

I have Lion and Cannot see what version but it's not the lastest. I tried also reinstalling Lion (from the CMD+R Utilities startup) but when I select the HD I want it closes, I have less than 2Gb left, maybe it's that.

I read that I could enter the CMD+S startup and type something in the console to take out of the trash bin the files I need (That contain my passwords and all data) but when I enter i cant write this

"$ cd
$ cd .Trash
$ sudo mv var /private"

because everytime i hit enter to write the next line, the system says it's an invaldi comand.

Edit: I have the old Macbook Air

chscag · Mar 16, 2013

You should be able to reinstall Lion from the Recovery partition as long as you have an internet connection.

Try this from the terminal:

In the Terminal type "cd .Trash" (without the quotes). This will navigate the terminal to your Trash folder. The dot before the directory name "Trash" denotes that the folder is hidden. Hidden folders do not show up in directory listing methods (when you type "ls") and can only be accessed by using their full name.

Type "mv your_file_name ../" without the quotes and replacing your_file_name with the name of the file you'd like to restore.

The above example would restore the file to your home directory. ( / )

Macetazz · Mar 16, 2013

chscag said:
You should be able to reinstall Lion from the Recovery partition as long as you have an internet connection.

Try this from the terminal:

In the Terminal type "cd .Trash" (without the quotes). This will navigate the terminal to your Trash folder. The dot before the directory name "Trash" denotes that the folder is hidden. Hidden folders do not show up in directory listing methods (when you type "ls") and can only be accessed by using their full name.

Type "mv your_file_name ../" without the quotes and replacing your_file_name with the name of the file you'd like to restore.

The above example would restore the file to your home directory. ( / )

Thank you, but I have one more question: The single user mode says:

"If you want to make modifications to files:

/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /"

And because it keeps telling me "-sh: cd: .Trash: No such file or directory"

I tried doing that, that checks the HD and then mounts the filesystem, but nothing happens.

How do I load terminal from Single User mode?

chscag · Mar 16, 2013

Read through this entire thread: LINK

You should be able to glean enough from it to move that folder from the trash back where it belongs. If not, reinstall is the only thing left. An archive and install will retain all your data and replace the folder and files you lost. Since you have the original MBA, you'll need an Apple external optical drive and your original Leopard DVD.

chas_m · Mar 17, 2013

If there's less that 2GB space left on that hard drive, nothing short of a clean reinstall is going to be successful. There's simply not enough working room on the disk to do a normal reinstall.

Macetazz · Mar 17, 2013

chas_m said:
If there's less that 2GB space left on that hard drive, nothing short of a clean reinstall is going to be successful. There's simply not enough working room on the disk to do a normal reinstall.

Thank you guys, I'll fix it tomorrow, yeah, I figured out it needed 2GB so I downloaded the installer to an external HD partition.

vansmith · Mar 17, 2013

chas_m said:
If there's less that 2GB space left on that hard drive, nothing short of a clean reinstall is going to be successful.

I hadn't thought of this and the effect this will have on the success of an archive and install. So, I'm inclined to go with chas here and suggest that you probably don't have enough room for an archive and install (we could be wrong but I doubt it). Thus, expect to lose files, media and any other important content.

You're getting the "-sh: cd: .Trash: No such file or directory" error because the .Trash folder doesn't exist where you're currently located.

chscag · Mar 17, 2013

Thank you guys, I'll fix it tomorrow, yeah, I figured out it needed 2GB so I downloaded the installer to an external HD partition.

Let us know how it went. And... this time make a backup!

I accidentally deleted /private/var folder

Macetazz

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