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+--- Thread: plist.info-- read during boot process? (/showthread.php?tid=65254)
plist.info-- read during boot process? - Black Landlord - 10-31-2008
A have a permission that can't be repaired, a plist file for my fax program which resides in the root level Library folder; could this file possibly be causing my system to hang during bootup/login, even though that app is not a startup app?
Do all plist files get read during login?
I've trashed all the identified unrepairable files (as noted by DW fixing permissions) and currently am 1/2 way through 8,000 files being emptied from the trash at about 116 per minute (the tempo of the Colonel Bogie march for those who never needed to memorize tempi as part of their musical training).
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Doc - 10-31-2008
> could this file possibly be causing my system to
> hang during bootup/login, even though that app is
> not a startup app?
Potentially, if your fax software uses a kernel extension... but if so then it's a file-corruption issue and not a permissions issue.
> Do all plist files get read during login?
No. They are basically preference-files. If a program stores preferences in a plist file then when it runs it will read the file.
> I've trashed all the identified unrepairable files
I'm very grateful you're not doing my tech support.
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Black Landlord - 10-31-2008
Doc wrote:
> I've trashed all the identified unrepairable files
I'm very grateful you're not doing my tech support.
Or better said I've replaced them with the same file from a healthy backup-- assume the worst if it suits you.
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Black Landlord - 10-31-2008
Doc wrote:I don't seem to have any way of weeding out or fixing corrupt files. DW's permissions repair says they're "damaged."
> could this file possibly be causing my system to
> hang during bootup/login, even though that app is
> not a startup app?
Potentially, if your fax software uses a kernel extension... but if so then it's a file-corruption issue and not a permissions issue.
> Do all plist files get read during login?Thanks.
No. They are basically preference-files. If a program stores preferences in a plist file then when it runs it will read the file.
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Doc - 10-31-2008
> I don't seem to have any way of weeding out or fixing corrupt files
Your drive seems to have serious problems.
Assuming that it's directory corruption and not a hardware malfunction, and assuming that you have a "healthy backup" that is a working clone, this is what you should do:
(First step) Back up recently-changed document files of any importance.
Erase the problem-drive.
Install the OS on the newly-erased drive and perform all necessary OS-updates.
Run the Migration Assistant to import your user-accounts, home folders, network settings and applications from your backup.
Copy back the files from the first step.
Is there any particular reason why you haven't done this?
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Black Landlord - 10-31-2008
Doc wrote:
> I don't seem to have any way of weeding out or fixing corrupt files
Your drive seems to have serious problems.
Assuming that it's directory corruption and not a hardware malfunction, and assuming that you have a "healthy backup" that is a working clone, this is what you should do:
(First step) Back up recently-changed document files of any importance.
Erase the problem-drive.
Install the OS on the newly-erased drive and perform all necessary OS-updates.
Run the Migration Assistant to import your user-accounts, home folders, network settings and applications from your backup.
Copy back the files from the first step.
Is there any particular reason why you haven't done this?
I'm slowly in the process of doing so. I documented my troubles in backing up recent files in another thread.
Do you really think using Migration Assisstant is better than cloning from a backup that runs smoothly? I've had some fairly bad luck with MA.
Thx...
And, oh, any value to zeroing the internal rather than just erasing IYO?
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Doc - 10-31-2008
> Do you really think using Migration Assisstant is
> better than cloning from a backup that runs smoothly?
Whatever went wrong with your original, it could also be wrong with the clone, just waiting to make your life miserable again as soon as you start using it regularly.
Going the MA route, you have an almost-virgin System and Library and a spare admin account in case you need to troubleshoot. It also means that any troubleshooting that you have to do will almost certainly be restricted to stuff in your Home folder, thus making troubleshooting a heck of a lot easier.
> And, oh, any value to zeroing the internal rather
> than just erasing IYO?
Generally, no. Not unless the DU or DW is reporting bad sectors.
...You seem to be doing much more than just backing up a few user files and restoring from a good clone.
Why are you still using DiskWarrior, mucking about deleting files and digging through your /System and /Library folders?
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Black Landlord - 10-31-2008
Doc wrote:
> Do you really think using Migration Assisstant is
> better than cloning from a backup that runs smoothly?
Whatever went wrong with your original, it could also be wrong with the clone, just waiting to make your life miserable again as soon as you start using it regularly.
Going the MA route, you have an almost-virgin System and Library and a spare admin account in case you need to troubleshoot. It also means that any troubleshooting that you have to do will almost certainly be restricted to stuff in your Home folder, thus making troubleshooting a heck of a lot easier.
> And, oh, any value to zeroing the internal rather
> than just erasing IYO?
Generally, no. Not unless the DU or DW is reporting bad sectors.
...You seem to be doing much more than just backing up a few user files and restoring from a good clone.
Why are you still using DiskWarrior, mucking about deleting files and digging through your /System and /Library folders?
I'm not. I'm waiting for a few large files to copy.
I thought I'd take a shot at getting my internal working again and getting it to where I could copy it substantially before wiping and reinstalling. Remember when macs were the ones that you could fix by replacing a few bad files, and PCs were the ones where every little problem meant reinstalling the OS?
For that matter remember when a system update trashing your hard drive was a PC thing?
Re: plist.info-- read during boot process? - Doc - 10-31-2008
> Remember when macs were the ones that you could
> fix by replacing a few bad files, and PCs were the
> ones where every little problem meant reinstalling the OS?
That era ended in late 2001.
[Edit] Except for the bit about PCs.