AppleScript to copy a folder

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
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#1

I’m having a weird problem getting applescript to copy a folder to a user’s Home directory. The home folder is network based but I’m having the problem locally as well. It works fine in the user that I’m scripting in but when I log in as a fresh user and run it I get the error.

‘Can’t set “Macintosh HD:private:var:automount:Network:Servers:serverpath:userhome:Library:” to <> “Preferences” of application “Finder”.’

This is the script.

tell application “Finder”
set userHome to home
set thePath to ((userHome as string) & “Library:”)
duplicate folder “Preferences” to thePath with replacing
display dialog “Preferences Copied.”
end tell

The Preferences folder I’ve placed in the Package contents but I’ve tried it with it sitting in a folder. I’ve also tried setting permissions differently on the Prefs folder but that doesn’t seem to matter. What’s even stranger is after making a couple changes to the file and resaving (logged in as the new user) it eventually works. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

#2

I figured out the problem but I’m still stuck. I’m trying to copy a folder that I’ve put in the package Contents of the file. How would I do that? What would the proper path be? Thanks.

#3

Does this work? It might need to be tweaked based on the hierarchy of the package.

set me_ to path to me as text
set myPrefs to (me_ & "Contents:Preferences:")

tell application "Finder"
	set userHome to home as text
	set thePath to (userHome & "Library:")
	try
		duplicate folder myPrefs to thePath with replacing
		display dialog "Preferences Copied."
	on error e
		display dialog e buttons {"OK"} default button 1 with icon 0
	end try
end tell

– Rob

#4

Thanks a million for the help. Unfortunately that didn’t work for some reason. I tried just copying it to the desktop and that didn’t work either.

#5

The “path to me” command will work only when the script is saved as an application. Did you save it as an app and then launch the app?

– Rob

#6

Ok, I believe this is a network home issue. It works fine when logged in as a local user. I think it’s choking on the long network path. Somehow the path isn’t correct.

#7

The path that applescript pulls is:
“Macintosh HD:private:var:automount:Network:Servers:bcm:Volumes:areas:IT:TS:test:Library:”

I think the real path is that minus the “Macintosh HD:” or:
“private:var:automount:Network:Servers:bcm:Volumes:areas:IT:TS:test:Library:”

Is there a way I can tell it to chop of the “Macintosh HD:”?

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

#8

removing the “Macintosh HD:” didn’t work either.

#9

Man I’m so confused. It WILL copy a folder from the desktop to a network home but it won’t copy it from the file contents unless I’m in as a local user.

Ha, it works if I move the app to the shared folder. Thanks for your help.