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prc87's avatar
prc87
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Solved

Help! "Couldn't start Dropbox" error (Mac & Big Sur)

Dropbox won't start on my MacBook Air (13" 2018), with Big Sur 11.3.1.

Have uninstalled dropbox and reinstalled. Same error

Uninstalled again, advanced re-install. Same error

AFAIK, vanilla install, with dropbox folder in default location.

Used to work, but stopped when rebooted laptop after 11.3.1 upgrade

 

Help!

 

Error messages:

 

"Couldn't start dropbox"

"This is usually because of a permissions error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also cause this error."

 

Contents of error file:

"

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 122.4.4867
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 48
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 664c1217-e060-5667-8990-51d38e73896b
pid: 815
ppid: 1
uid: 502
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='petercrow', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Peter Crow', pw_dir='/Users/petercrow', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='petercrow', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Peter Crow', pw_dir='/Users/petercrow', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 502
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_xcsbuildagent', '_serialnumberd', '_xcscredserver'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_xcsbuildagent', '_serialnumberd', '_xcscredserver'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
     real_path='/'
            mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
     parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/petercrow'
appdata: '/Users/petercrow/.dropbox/instance1'
         real_path='/Users/petercrow/.dropbox/instance1'
                mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
         parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/petercrow/Dropbox'
              real_path='/Users/petercrow/Dropbox'
                    not found
              parent mode=0o40777 uid=502 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                      mode=0o100755 uid=502 gid=20
                parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 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/y5/nky42css7sbgmkskdqtx09q80000gp/T'
         real_path='/private/var/folders/y5/nky42css7sbgmkskdqtx09q80000gp/T'
                mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
         parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 807, in wrapper
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6277, in finish_dropbox_boot
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6497, in on_fresh_link
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6534, in create_dropbox_folder
  File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1236, in safe_makedirs
  File "os.pyc", line 223, in makedirs
PermissionError: [Errno 1] Operation not permitted: '/Users/petercrow/Dropbox'
"

 

desktop
Error Messages
Mac
Setting up the apps
  • prc87's avatar
    prc87
    5 years ago

    Ran these changes, but no different.

     

    Tried once more, after double-checking firewall off.

     

    uninstall DB

    reboot

    delete DB folders from local storage, and empty bin

    reboot

    search and delete every 'dropbox' named file in ~/library

    reboot

    advanced reinstall

    reboot

    logoff DB on webclient

    reboot

    start DB

    login

    accept all vanilla (recommended) options

    and it started and seems to be sync-ing correctly.

     

    Not sure what changed this time around, but DB seems to be working again. 

     

    Thanks for your help.

30 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago

    Hey there prc87, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to our Community!

    From what I understand it looks like your Home directory is “locked”. Can you please do the following steps to fix this?

     

    1. Right-click on your Home folder → /Users/{your username}
    2. Select "Get Info" from the menu
    3. Uncheck the "Locked" checkbox.

    If you have certain folders intentionally locked, then after doing the above you can go ahead and re-lock any folders within your Home directory that aren't the Dropbox folder. 

    Let me know how you get on, Peter!

  • prc87's avatar
    prc87
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    Thanks Walter

    I checked as you suggested. 

    The home directory “locked” status is UNCHECKED. Also, none of the enclosed folders are locked as far as I can tell—and the Dropbox folder has been deleted too, as part of the advanced re-installed.

     

    As a test, I checked the Locked status. Rebooted. Unchecked it. Rebooted. Then tried to open Dropbox. Same error persists, unfortunately 

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago

    Could you the try disabling any antivirus or firewall you may have and try again prc87?

    Otherwise, you could also try the following:

     

    1. Click on the apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen.
    2. Select "System Preferences..."
    3. Then "Security & Privacy."
    4. Select the Privacy tab.
    5. Select "Files and Folders."
    6. Under Dropbox, ensure that all the folders are checked.

    To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password.

    Now, attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app.

    Let me know if this helped, Peter!

  • prc87's avatar
    prc87
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    Thanks. Will check in the morning.

  • prc87's avatar
    prc87
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    Ran these changes, but no different.

     

    Tried once more, after double-checking firewall off.

     

    uninstall DB

    reboot

    delete DB folders from local storage, and empty bin

    reboot

    search and delete every 'dropbox' named file in ~/library

    reboot

    advanced reinstall

    reboot

    logoff DB on webclient

    reboot

    start DB

    login

    accept all vanilla (recommended) options

    and it started and seems to be sync-ing correctly.

     

    Not sure what changed this time around, but DB seems to be working again. 

     

    Thanks for your help.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    Glad to hear you're back up and running, Peter.

    See you around the Community and take care!
  • tim_kelley's avatar
    tim_kelley
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 years ago

    I am having the same problem. The error message is

    bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
    bn.VERSION: 124.4.4912
    bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 48
    bn.is_frozen: True
    machine_id: 4902f188-79dc-51ef-ab44-66e5c3af45e7
    pid: 512
    ppid: 1
    uid: 504
    user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='ctk', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=504, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='C. T. Kelley', pw_dir='/Users/ctk', pw_shell='/bin/tcsh')
    effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='ctk', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=504, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='C. T. Kelley', pw_dir='/Users/ctk', pw_shell='/bin/tcsh')
    euid: 504
    gid: 20
    egid: 20
    group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'tim', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', 'ctk', 'bubba', '_sophos', '_xcsbuildagent'])
    effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'tim', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', 'ctk', 'bubba', '_sophos', '_xcsbuildagent'])
    DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
    cwd: '/'
         real_path='/'
                mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
         parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
    HOME: '/Users/ctk'
    appdata: '/Users/ctk/.dropbox/instance1'
             real_path='/Users/ctk/.dropbox/instance1'
                    mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
             parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    dropbox_path: '/Users/ctk/Dropbox'
                  real_path='/Users/ctk/Dropbox'
                        mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
                  parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                    real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                          mode=0o100755 uid=504 gid=20
                    parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 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/9q/sddj5fcj2m729sjf5_hbnxb40000gr/T'
             real_path='/private/var/folders/9q/sddj5fcj2m729sjf5_hbnxb40000gr/T'
                    mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
             parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 821, in wrapper
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6488, in finish_dropbox_boot
      File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 307, in _wrapped
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6017, in _init_components_for_account
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5944, in create_sync_engine
      File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 275, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 219, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 149, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 223, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 597, in _init_new_engine_locked
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 182, in __init__
      File "extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
    nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> Opening dst |>> open syscall |>> Permission denied"

     

  • tim_kelley's avatar
    tim_kelley
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 years ago

    I tried everything in this thread short of deleting my Drobbox folder. 

  • tim_kelley's avatar
    tim_kelley
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 years ago

    I just tried this "fix" and it failed. Error message was

    bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
    bn.VERSION: 124.4.4912
    bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 48
    bn.is_frozen: True
    machine_id: 4902f188-79dc-51ef-ab44-66e5c3af45e7
    pid: 1361
    ppid: 1
    uid: 504
    user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='ctk', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=504, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='C. T. Kelley', pw_dir='/Users/ctk', pw_shell='/bin/tcsh')
    effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='ctk', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=504, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='C. T. Kelley', pw_dir='/Users/ctk', pw_shell='/bin/tcsh')
    euid: 504
    gid: 20
    egid: 20
    group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'tim', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', 'ctk', 'bubba', '_sophos', '_xcsbuildagent'])
    effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'tim', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', 'ctk', 'bubba', '_sophos', '_xcsbuildagent'])
    DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
    cwd: '/'
         real_path='/'
                mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
         parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
    HOME: '/Users/ctk'
    appdata: '/Users/ctk/.dropbox/instance1'
             real_path='/Users/ctk/.dropbox/instance1'
                    mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
             parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    dropbox_path: '/Users/ctk/Dropbox'
                  real_path='/Users/ctk/Dropbox'
                        mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
                  parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                    real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
                          mode=0o100755 uid=504 gid=20
                    parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 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/9q/sddj5fcj2m729sjf5_hbnxb40000gr/T'
             real_path='/private/var/folders/9q/sddj5fcj2m729sjf5_hbnxb40000gr/T'
                    mode=0o40700 uid=504 gid=20
             parent mode=0o40755 uid=504 gid=20
    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 821, in wrapper
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6488, in finish_dropbox_boot
      File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 307, in _wrapped
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6017, in _init_components_for_account
      File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5944, in create_sync_engine
      File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 275, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 219, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 149, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 223, in __init__
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 597, in _init_new_engine_locked
      File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 182, in __init__
      File "extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
    nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> Opening dst |>> open syscall |>> Permission denied"

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