Core folder undeletable and unmodifiable

I have a weird problem. I'm using ehosting.ca, Linux hosting. I have successfully installed Modx Rev. 2.2.2-pl traditional. I need to upload the local installation I was working on for my client now. However, for some reason the /core/ folder won't allow certain of its contents to be overwritten, or to be deleted from the server. I have recursively attempted to CHMOD all permissions to 777, however those same files that can't be overwritten or deleted, will also not allow their permissions to be changed.

I have attempted to delete the entire site and re-install, and the same issue persists. I have to move the /core/ folder outside of the main /www/ of my site, and that at least allows me to move the folder away. I've just realised I can do that again and re-upload the /core/ to my FTP. But why are these files "sticking"? Should that be happening? Is it something to do with my host, rather than the installation?

I would guess that the folders which are not writable are things like core/cache/*, some folders under core/packages and others. I'm thinking that the http server (apache or what have you) is running with a different user than your FTP user. This would mean any folders/files created by the server (such as stuff in the cache folder) would be owned by that user, and were probably not created to be written by all. Then, your FTP user wants to overwrite the files and it doesn't own them and doesn't have the write permission.

Possible solutions depend on how much control you have over your server...if you can SSH into the server and log in as root (possible if you have a VPS), you can work with the permissions to either allow a group that your FTP user belongs to to edit the files, or "chown" them to the FTP user in order to overwrite them and then chown them back to the http server user, or manifold other options.

If you don't have this ability (likely with a shared host) then it will be more difficult. Your options would be to use the chmod feature in the MODX file browser to get permissions (I believe you have to do it with every single file and directory though, very tedious), create a PHP script to run on the server and perform the chmod, or just wipe out the whole installation and move the site as directed at http://rtfm.modx.com/display/revolution20/Moving+Your+Site+to+a+New+Server.

Thanks for the help. I think I'll try to the PHP method... yes, it's a shared server and they don't allow SSH access. Moving hosts is also not an option, as I already asked the client and they declined. Okay, will try the PHP script method.

If the files/folders are owned by another user, the only way to change them is to interact with them as that user or a higher (root) user.

If you ask your hosting provider they should be able to check and/or correct the ownership permissions for the affected files/folders. If not I would highly recommend changing hosts to one who can correct server problems. If they can't correct a simple ownership issue what happens if you have a bigger issue?

Anyways, let us know how things work out.