System 6: Installing Fonts Into a Locked System File (11/94)


A customer was able to install fonts in a System file that had been locked from the desktop. He said that the installation appeared normal until he quit and entered an application to use the new font. The font was not there, so he quit and tried to restart his machine. It simply gave him the "?" icon and refused to start up. The failed installation apparently resulted in a seriously corrupt System file, and he had to reinstall the System Software. He had no indication of a problem during the installation.

Does the Font/DA Mover check for a locked System file? Is there any way that a user can install fonts or DAs in a locked System file?

We tried to install a font and DA in a locked (via the "Get Info" dialog) System file and received an ID= -61 error. This error number indicates a write-permission error and that the Font/DA Mover attempted to write to a file that was locked. The Font/DA Mover does not check for a locked System file but does check for an error when attempting to write to a file.

With System 6, it is best to check that the System file is unlocked before installing any fonts or desk accessories.


Article Change History:
17 Nov 1994 - Reviewed for technical accuracy.

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Published Date: Feb 20, 2012