[X-Newbies] Re: file locks-can't save files

[Charles Martin]

> From: Chris Morland <cmorland at cra.lacity.org>
>
> Dear people- still finding locks on my files and now some files cannot
> be save back to the original folder- the button is dimmed. Have tried
> Disk Utility, DW, Keychain, First Aid and a number of other utilities.
> There doesn't seem to be a pattern, but random. Do you think maybe a
> virus? Waiting to upgrade to Tiger for this reason. i'm very grateful
> for all the help you given,  Should i go ahead and upgrade? Thanks.

In a nutshell: your permissions are PROFOUNDLY screwed up. Contrary  
to myth, Disk Utility does NOT fix this sort of permission problem.

The easiest solution to this problem that I have found:
1. Download BatCHmod (available from versiontracker, macupdate, et al)
2. Run the program.
3. Drag your USER folder (ONLY!!) into the interface.
4. Set permissions as you want them, which should be as follows:
Owner: your short user name
Group: wheel
Under owner, all three boxes (r,w,x) should be checked.
Under Group, just the r and x boxes should be checked.
Under Everyone, just the r and x boxes should be checked.

Check the "Apple ownership and privileges" to "Enclosed files and  
folders." Leave the "unlock" box unchecked.
5. Hit Apply.

That should solve the problem.