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Forum Discussion
Can't write to existing folders following user name change
ReadyNAS 426 on 6.10.8 I changed my user name on the device and reset the password. When I connect to that user folder from MacOS (using SMB) with the updated user name and password I can no long...
DrDan1 wrote:ReadyNAS 426 on 6.10.8
I changed my user name on the device and reset the password. When I connect to that user folder from MacOS (using SMB) with the updated user name and password I can no longer write to any of the existing folders - but I can read them and can write to the home directory.
This seems like a permission thing - but how do I reset the permissions within a user folder?
I'm confused as to what you call a "user folder" because you say you can write to your home folder. If you mean resetting the permissions for a share, go to the Shares page of the GUI, select Settings from the gear menu for the share, then select Reset on the File Access tab.
Sorry - let me try and be clearer. I'm trying to change the name on a user account. This post suggests it should be straightforward and work as expected:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/New-ReadyNAS-Users-General/Account-rename/td-p/2083934
However, when I make the change and then connect to that account, I can...
- Read (see and open) the existing folders and files in that user account
- Create a new file or directory in the root directory for that user account
But I CANNOT create a new file or folder within any of the existing folders of that user account.
I subsequently found this post which seems to be about the same problem:
However, I'm unclear as to what the fix might be without having to duplicate or copy the entire contents of that user account (which happens to be quite large).
From the post you linked, I now know you are talking about files within your home folder, which was unclear because you didn't call them that. Linux uses a UID internally, not a name, for file ownership. And changing the name associated with the UID should not change access. So, I suspect the issue is related to a bug in the Netgear-specific database. The other poster seems to have tried everything via the Linux command line to correct the problem with no success.
I really think copying all the files and folders is your best solution. The moderators who now run this forum just don't seem technically savvy enough to help, and Netgear has never made the workings of their database public so others can help.
One thing to ask yourself - do you really need the home folder feature?
I decided I didn't, and just keep my files in ordinary shares. I've turned off all file sharing protocols for "home", so those folders don't appear. You can still manage who can access files in an ordinary share if you need that - the only downside is that the share list itself is visible. If you come to the same conclusion, you can copy your home folder contents to other shares, and then use the web ui to manage permissions and reset them if needed.
If you do want the home folder, then I'd agree that the simplest path is to copy the data (either to a temporary share, or offload it to a PC or USB drive). Then delete the user, and recreate it. Test that you have the permissions you want, and then copy the files back. If you have good linux skills, you could alternatively use ssh to try to adjust the permissions. Home folders use ACL to manage access, so you'd need to use getfacl and setfacl, and not just chown, chgrp and chmod. I suspect the problem is most likely due to the ACL.
Thanks, both, for the replies.
I like not having the user share visible unless logged in - but I'll consider the options and proceed from there.
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