[SOLVED] Unable to install, asking to change permissions on folder that doesn't exist

[zthornbury]

I''m trying to install dropbox, but after it goes through the download phase, I get a pop. 

That user, Zach_1, does not exist. The /Users/Zach does, however. Why does Dropbox keep trying to install here and how can I change it?

Also, it's terrible there's not an actual support team you can contact about these things.

Here's the rest of the errors:

And the error log:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 169.4.5684
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 61
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: cbdc27ab-8b33-5eba-838f-96f56d3baa12
pid: 1330
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='Zach', pw_passwd='********',
pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Zach Thornbury', pw_dir='/Users/
Zach', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='Zach',
pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Zach
Thornbury', pw_dir='/Users/Zach', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*',
gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_serialnumberd'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*',
gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_serialnumberd'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'

     real_path='/'
                mode=0o40755    uid=0   gid=0

     parent     mode=0o40755    uid=0   gid=0
HOME: '/Users/Zach'

appdata: '/Users/Zach_1/.dropbox/instance1'
         real_path='/Users/Zach_1/.dropbox/instance1'

                not found
         parent not found

dropbox_path: None

                        not found
              parent    not found

sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/

Dropbox'

                        mode=0o100755   uid=501 gid=20
                parent  mode=0o40755    uid=501 gid=20

trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-
packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

                real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/
Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

                        not found
                parent  not found

tempdir: '/var/folders/hy/mrx972tn0wg5vfkx2mp2vs0r0000gn/T'
         real_path='/private/var/folders/hy/

mrx972tn0wg5vfkx2mp2vs0r0000gn/T'
                mode=0o40700    uid=501 gid=20

         parent mode=0o40755    uid=501 gid=20

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1211, in safe_makedirs
  File "dropbox/fsutil.pyc", line 730, in safe_makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 223, in makedirs

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/Users/Zach_1'

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 7569, in main_startup
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 2620, in initialize
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1577, in startup_low
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1220, in safe_makedirs
  File "dropbox/fsutil.pyc", line 730, in safe_makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 223, in makedirs

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/Users/Zach_1'

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Hi @zthornbury, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

To resolve this issue, I am going to provide you with steps to reset the Dropbox application settings. This will not affect or remove the files in your Dropbox folder.

First, please save and quit all programs accessing files in the Dropbox folder, and then follow these instructions:

1. Open your Terminal app (Located at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal)
2. Copy and paste the following line (highlighted below) into the Terminal and press ENTER. PLEASE make sure you copy and paste this command (don't type it by hand), as getting it wrong could cause some harm. You'll be prompted for your computer's admin password (not your Dropbox password) after entering the first command. Keep in mind that the password field in the terminal will remain blank as you type your password. After you type it, just press ENTER. You'll know that these instructions complete normally once the initial line of text (called prompt) comes up again:

sudo mv ~/.dropbox ~/.Trash/dropbox.old

Please note that once the prompt displays, the instruction completed the requested task. If the command returns an error, or does not respond after an hour, you may want to try restarting your computer and trying this step again.

3. Restart Dropbox from the Application folder, then please sign in and apply any Selective Sync settings you may have had prior to this reset during the sign in process. Your account will take a few moments to reindex the files and sync any pending changes.

If Dropbox still doesn't start then please copy and send me the result from the Terminal commands and any error messages. Alternatively, if it's easier you can also take a screenshot and attach it to your reply.

Keep me updated with any progress.

Regards,
Jay

[zthornbury]

That did the trick, thank you so much!

[Jay]

No worries, glad to have helped out! If you have any further queries in the future, please let us know.

Enjoy your weekend!

[Brentw1959]

I had the same problem and the solution worked great - thanks!