Select your user directory and set the permissions accordingly: Owner Username R-W-X Grooup Username R Everyone R Options Change ownership and privileges Unlock Clear ACLs (10.5+) Apply to enclosed folders and files
DISCLAIMER: This is what I did to fix my problem. It's up to you to decide if this is the right course of action for you. At the time I made this change I had nothing to lose; my computer was not functioniong to a workable level."