db46: can't create work symlink: permission denied

[l.hoffman@…]

I have upgraded to OS 10.8.2 and need to upgrade MacPorts to run Gwyddion. Installing Xcode and the latest version of MacPorts went fine. Updating the ports went fine. When I tried to get the ports 'updraded' I received the following error:

Error: Unable to upgrade port: symlink: /opt/local/var/macports/sources/rsync.macports.org/release/tarballs/ports/databases/db46/work -> /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_databases_db46/db46/work: permission denied

I have admin privileges on this machine. Any suggestions as to what might be the issue?

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

You need to preface your commands with "sudo" when you want to do things that alter the files installed by MacPorts.

sudo port upgrade outdated

[l.hoffman@…]

I do use "sudo" to begin with. I typed "sudo port selfupdate", which ran successfully. Then, when attempting "port update outdated", I received the error described above. Since earlier, I have gone through the process again with identical results. Any other suggestions?

[l.hoffman@…]

When I added the preface "sudo" to the latter command, I now receive the following error:

Error: Unable to upgrade port: couldn't open "/opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_databases_db46/db46/work/.macports.db46.state": permission denied
To report a bug, follow the instructions in the guide:
    http://guide.macports.org/#project.tickets

[l.hoffman@…]

Cc Me!

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

Replying to l.hoffman@…:

I do use "sudo" to begin with. I typed "sudo port selfupdate", which ran successfully. Then, when attempting "port update outdated", I received the error described above. Since earlier, I have gone through the process again with identical results. Any other suggestions?

You needed to have used "sudo" in front of the "port update outdated" command too.

Replying to l.hoffman@…:

When I added the preface "sudo" to the latter command, I now receive the following error:

Error: Unable to upgrade port: couldn't open "/opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_databases_db46/db46/work/.macports.db46.state": permission denied

Try cleaning the port, both with and without sudo:

port clean db46
sudo port clean db46

Then try upgrading it again.

If all else fails you can manually delete the directory /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_databases_db46 and then try again.