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Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: Disk Utility shows a “No Valid Packages” alert
Last Modified on: September 20, 2005
Article: 25704
Disk Utility can't verify or repair permissions on the Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4 volume if the “BaseSystem.pkg” file is not in /Library/Receipts.

This alert appears when you try to repair permissions with Disk Utility:


“First Aid failed
”Disk Utility stopped repairing permissions on ‘(volume name)’ because the following error was encountered: No valid packages“

In the Disk Utility text window, this message appears in red text:

”Error: No valid packages (-9997)“

This happens when the BaseSystem.pkg file is not in /Library/Receipts.


Solution

If you've moved this file, move it back to /Library/Receipts. You shouldn't normally remove any files from /Library/Receipts.

If the file has been deleted, replace it by copying it from a different computer that uses Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4, or by reinstalling Mac OS X 10.3/10.4 from an installation disc.
”Reinstall" means you can install 10.3 or 10.4 from a disc, if it's the same version of 10.3/10.4 (such as 10.3.3 on both the installation disc and computer). If the version of 10.3/10.4 on the computer is newer than what's on the install disc, then use the install disc to perform an Archive and Install installation instead, then update to a later version of Mac OS X.