Symptom
When using the Backup application to try to back up the Preferences folder, an alert appears with this message:
Solution
Some files in a user's Preferences folder may be created with permissions set incorrectly. These permissions prevent Backup from reading preference files with this permissions issue.
As a workaround, you can selectively choose not to back up these files.
Note: Two files that may cause this issue are:
You may modify permission settings by entering commands in the Terminal application. Users who are unfamiliar with Terminal and UNIX-like environments should proceed with caution. The entry of incorrect commands may result in data loss and/or unusable system software. Improper alteration of permissions can result in reduced system security and/or exposure of private data. For further information, see technical document 106712, "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting Permissions Issues".
When using the Backup application to try to back up the Preferences folder, an alert appears with this message:
- "Error reading file '/Users/user_name/Library/Preferences/com.apple.preference_name.plist'.
There was an error reading this file from disk."
Solution
Some files in a user's Preferences folder may be created with permissions set incorrectly. These permissions prevent Backup from reading preference files with this permissions issue.
As a workaround, you can selectively choose not to back up these files.
- 1. Drag the Preferences folder from your Home directory into the Backup window.
2. Open the Info drawer so you can deselect individual files. Select the folder, click the Info button, and deselect the files (see Figure 1.)
Note: Two files that may cause this issue are:
- com.apple.loginwindow.plist
- com.apple.NetInfoManager.plist
You may modify permission settings by entering commands in the Terminal application. Users who are unfamiliar with Terminal and UNIX-like environments should proceed with caution. The entry of incorrect commands may result in data loss and/or unusable system software. Improper alteration of permissions can result in reduced system security and/or exposure of private data. For further information, see technical document 106712, "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting Permissions Issues".