This startup item fixes the permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail so that Sendmail (as distributed with 10.1.4 at least) will run. Read the rest of the article for the scripts...
[Editor's note: I had a minor database glitch this morning, and I just noticed that this article was under my by-line. I have now corrected it to reflect the original submitter; my apologies for the incorrect attribution!]
To install this script, log in as an administrator and create a folder named KeepSendmailHappy in /Library/StartupItems. If your system doesn't have /Library/StartupItems, go ahead and make it, but make sure you get the spelling correct. Once created, 'cd' into the new KeepSendmailHappy folder. Create a file called KeepSendmailHappy with the following contents:
#!/bin/shThen, sudo chmod 755 KeepSendmailHappy. Now create a file named StartupParameters.plist with the following contents:
#
# Fix permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail to keep Sendmail happy
. /etc/rc.common
case "$1" in
start)
ConsoleMessage "Fixing permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail"
chmod g-w / /etc /etc/mail
;;
esac
exit 0
{
Description = "Keep Sendmail Happy";
Provides = ("HappySendmail");
Requires = ("Resolver");
OrderPreference = "None";
Messages =
{
start = "Fixing permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail";
stop = "Fixing permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail";
restart = "Fixing permissions on /, /etc and /etc/mail";
};
}The latest version of this script is always available for download at apesseekingknowledge.net.

