You can use the IBM® Update Installer for WebSphere® Software to install interim fixes, fix packs, and refresh packs. Learn about important prerequisites, permissions, and precautions before installing a maintenance package.
In order to avoid problems, always use the same user ID for applying maintenance that you used to install WebSphere Application Server, the Update Installer, and any fix packs. If you choose to use a different user, then the maintenance action might not be successful, depending on the ownership and permissions of the files to be updated. If the update action is successful, the file ownerships of the updated files belong to the last user to perform the update and will prevent the original user from performing further updates.
The technote Servers fail to start after applying fixes in version 6.1 describes how to restore file ownership to the original user and allow users to apply future updates.
The current operation must be performed by the same user who owns the existing files. Typically, the file owner is the user who performed the original installation. Switch to the right user, and then run the installer again.
To avoid these potential problems, always use the same user ID for applying maintenance that you used to install the product.