Apple Repair Privileges Utility released

Apple's new Repair Privileges utility restores the privileges of Mac OS X system files and Apple-installed software to their default configuration. All previous modifications to the privileges of these files and directories will be lost. While this utility does not change permissions of third-party software (if third-party software has changed Apple-set permissions), that software may not work as expected after using the utility.

This utility should fix such problems as:

• An error of type -192" alert message in Disk Copy when disk images fail to become available.
• "An error of type -108" alert message in Print Center when spooling print jobs.
• "You are running Classic without superuser (root) Privileges" alert message when trying to start up Classic and the System Folder is blessed.

Note:

• The utility only repairs Apple-installed software that is located on a Mac OS X startup volume.
• The utility requires that the expected software receipt .pkg files exist in /Library/Receipts/.

This is good news. If it works as advertised, it should eliminate the need for more cumbersome procedures that often required third party software or Terminal. As one example, Apple KB document 106609 has now been updated to say that using Repair Privileges Utility is the solution to the "Applications Folder Locked or Cannot Be Modified" problem.

Initial reader feedback:

One reader writes: "Everything seemed to run just fine, as it found and fixed hundreds of files that had incorrect permissions. But on the other hand, it reset numerous System Preferences. Specifically it reset all the General Preferences, Mouse preferences and reverted my iTools username and password to nothing in the Internet preferences. TinkerTool's settings were reset as well." Note: TinkerTool primarily uses OS X preferences settings.

However, Brent Rossow replies: "When I used the new Apple Repair Privileges Utility, it fixed lots of privileges but did not cause any problems with preferences."