cp - cannot create regular file : permission denied

Question

I want copy to /lib/udev but gives error

cp -f /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh /lib/udev

cp:cannot create regular file /lib/udev/ok_pcscd_hotplug : Permission denied

I am root , but I can't understand . what can I do ?

Solution 1

Check if you are really superuser with:

whoami

if the output is root, then you are superuser and you can make the copy of the file with:

cp -f /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh /lib/udev/.

otherwise you have to use sudo:

sudo cp -f /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh /lib/udev/.

If you're still not able to write to the directory, then it is possible that:

1. the directory has the immutable flag enabled. check with lsattr.

2. the directory is mounted with read-only permissions: type in terminal:

   cat /proc/mounts (or mount or cat /etc/mtab)

   and check the output, if directory is mounted read-only.

If you are in the first case, change the directory attributes with chattr;

• remove immutable flag on file or directory chattr -i <file/dir>
• adding immutable flag on file or directory again chattr +i <file/dir>

If you're in the latter case, edit the file /etc/fstab.

Solution 2

You should create directory first if /lib/udev doesn't exist

mkdir -p /lib/udev

Solution 3

Its not necessary every time that you need to be root for this purpose So if you want to do it with root user its fine, but if you want to do it without root, then you have 2 options:

1. Check the permissions of file. You must have read permissions to that
2. Check that file or link with same name is not present in the destination directory. Because if link with same name is there in destination directory, it won't allow you to do that and also will not warn that link with same name is present

Solution 4

Try cp /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh /lib/udev/ in root user.

View more solutions

Comments

[user278122]

dont change,gives error again - root@atrust-00351A:/lib# ls-l drwxrwxrwx 4 root root 324 2009-05-22 11:40 udev

[Sambit]

Please post the output whoami and ls -al /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh

[user278122]

whoami - output root ls -al /tmp/ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh - output -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 229

[user278122]

whoami - output root i tried cp -f and sudo cp -f , but gives error again

[girardengo]

I made ​​a small change to my answer: I copied the command from your question, but there is an error: the command as you wrote, it will overwrite udev, you must add /. at the end of the command to copy the files in the directory

[Sambit]

Then make sure that ok_pcscd_hotplug.sh is not corrupted and /lib/udev/ exist in your system.

[user278122]

either ok_pcscd_hot_plug.sh or /lib/udev avaliable on system

[girardengo]

I edited my answer, post in your question also output of mount and lsattr /lib/

[user278122]

mount /lib/ - mount:can't find /lib/ in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab lsattr /lib/ - Inapppropriate ioctl for device while reading flags on lib/filename output for everyfile

[girardengo]

Use command mount, without /lib/, but please edit your question, not copy output in comment.

[user278122]

i use chattr and output chattr:Inappropriate ioctl for device while reading flags on /lib/udev ? and where is edit in /etc/fstab ? thanks

[Jonathon]

I am confused. I am trying to copy a file from a cdrom to my home dir. Why would I not always have permission to write to my home directory?

[passerBy]

* chmod 766 <file/dir>

[Kulfy]

You can still edit the answer and add that. And I don't believe in granting all permissions to users. Instead if folder/file is to be made login as the user who has privileges. Thanks. :-)