Failed to enable ownership - can't back up

[Nathan]

Hey all,

I recently downloaded the most recent version of SuperDuper (2.1.4) and was planning on doing backup-all files to see how it goes before forking out for the full version. Thing is, I can't even start the first backup.

I set it to backup my iMac's HD to an external lacie usb drive, and it the very first step fails and I get a 'failed to enable ownership of iMac HD' message. I've tried repairing permissions and resetting, but I still get the same error. I'm also logged into my main (only) admin account, and I'm completely up to date with all Apple updates.

Any idea what could be going on?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Here's the log as well, if it helps in diagnosing the problem:

| 08:38:49 AM | Info | SuperDuper!, 2.1.4 (82), path: /Applications/SuperDuper!.app, Mac OS 10.4.9 build 8P135 (ppc)
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Started on Fri, Mar 23, 2007 at 8:38 AM
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Source Volume: iMac HD, mount: /, device: /dev/disk0s3, media: Maxtor 6B250S0, interconnect: Internal ATA, file system: "Journaled HFS+", OS: 10.4.9 (8P135), capacity: 233.64 GB, used: 137.02 GB, directories: 123039, files: 542859, ejectable: NO, ACLs: Disabled
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Target Volume: Brick HD, mount: /Volumes/Brick HD, device: /dev/disk1s1, media: WDC WD2500JB-22REA0, interconnect: External USB, file system: "Journaled HFS+", OS: 10.4.7 (8J135), capacity: 232.88 GB, used: 176.19 GB, directories: 121714, files: 552357, ejectable: NO, ACLs: Disabled
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Copy Mode : Erase, then copy files
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Copy Script : Backup - all files.dset
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | Transcript : BuildTranscript.plist
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | PHASE: 1. Prepare to Copy Files
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | ...ACTION: Preparing iMac HD
| 08:38:49 AM | Info | ......COMMAND => Verifying the integrity of volinfo.database
| 08:38:49 AM | Error | sh: line 1: /usr/bin/grep: cannot execute binary file

[dnanian]

Sounds like you don't have a valid copy of a standard system tool -- "grep". You'll likely have to archive-and-install Tiger to restore the missing program(s).

[Nathan]

Thats odd. Any reason why that might be the case? The iMac is running a Tiger install that was upgraded from the pre-installed Panther - and set up with from an old Mac via Migration Assistant, many moons ago.

Is there any other way to restore grep? I was actually planning on doing this full backup and then re-formatting the Mac completely, and then restoring. I'm certainly not that comfortable doing an archive-and-install without having a proper backup already in place.

[dnanian]

If grep is missing, I don't know what else is gone, Nathan... an archive-and-install, though, won't touch your "user" files, so it's not really that dangerous. I understand, though...

[Rip]

I've just encountered the same 'Failed to enable ownership...' error.

It just suddenly started happening. I haven't touched SD fo ages as it just does it's thing without complaint.

I'm running 2.6.2 and 10.6.7.

Any ideas?

[dnanian]

Please send in your log using the "Send to shirt pocket" button, Rip, and I'll take a look.