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All replies
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Helpful answers
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Jun 2, 2016 7:40 PM in response to Kai Vermehrby macjack,Have you tried using option + command + delete keys?
If that doesn't work It may be the Trash from another volume, like Windows.
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Jun 2, 2016 9:07 PM in response to macjackby Kai Vermehr,Yes I tried. Also I just booted from an older OSX 10.6 and it didn't help either. It's not a from another volume though. I can make a copy, but now the copy doesn't delete either. I'm stuck.
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Jun 3, 2016 7:26 AM in response to Kai Vermehrby WZZZ,Move that file out of the Trash to the Desktop, and then run this command in Terminal (copy/paste to avoid any mistakes)
sudo rm -f
important, leave a space and then drag the file into Terminal. It will automatically populate with the correct path for that file. Hit return and give your admin password, which will be requested. Note, you won't see your password when you type it in in any form, not even as ********
If you've never used the sudo prefix before, you will get a scary warning. Ignore that and proceed. You should see the file disappear from the Desktop.
Note: if somehow this is seen as a folder, not a file then the correct command will be
sudo rm -rf
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Jun 3, 2016 10:14 AM in response to WZZZby Kai Vermehr,I can't move the file out of trash: "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)."
— and sudo rm -rf with the file in the trash didn't work either. -
Jun 3, 2016 10:24 AM in response to Kai Vermehrby WZZZ,This should take care of it, but be certain everything is entered EXACTLY as posted below.
sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash
There are single spaces between sudo and rm
rm and -rf
-rf and ~/.Trash
NO SPACES IN ~/.Trash
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Jun 3, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Kai Vermehrby macjack,Copy and paste the command into Terninal at the prompt.
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Jun 3, 2016 10:33 AM in response to WZZZby Kai Vermehr,It's not working — Terminal responds with 'Invalid argument'
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Jun 3, 2016 11:21 AM in response to Kai Vermehrby WZZZ,Maybe it doesn't know what to do with the ~ in ~/.Trash. In that case, open Terminal and run this command to make hidden files/folders visible.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true ; killall Finder
Next, in the root folder ("Macintosh HD") navigate to /Users>Your Home Folder and scroll down until you find Trash.
Now, open Terminal again, or if it's still open, Shell>New Window
and enter
sudo rm -rf
leave a space, drag in that Trash folder, and hit return. You should now see it disappear in your Home Folder.
When you get a new prompt, to hide files/folders again enter
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false ; killall Finder
To be certain you get a new Trash folder (this one just got deleted), log out and back in.
If that isn't it, I'm out of ideas. Maybe post this question over in Technologies, where someone else may understand what's going on here.
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Jun 3, 2016 11:25 AM in response to WZZZby WZZZ,Sometimes a restart can fix things. Might also try running these commands from a safe boot. Shift key down at the startup chime.
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Jun 3, 2016 11:28 AM in response to WZZZby Kai Vermehr,Thanks @WZZZ — I restarted, restarted in safe mode, tried to delete the trash folder (the culprit file would not delete), etc. I've been through all sorts of suggestions found on the internet but nothing works. I will try making the ~ path visible, but I don't think this is the problem.
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Jun 3, 2016 11:41 AM in response to Kai Vermehrby WZZZ,Besides posting in Technologies, you could also try http://superuser.com/ or http://stackoverflow.com/ Think they're both the same login.
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Jun 3, 2016 6:19 PM in response to WZZZby Kai Vermehr,Thanks @WZZZ, will try Superuser! btw. Had a 1/2 phone session with Apple Support and they could not help. And even worse, the file was synced to my second computer via Dropbox and now it can't be deleted there either. What a mess.
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Jun 5, 2016 7:39 PM in response to Kai Vermehrby WZZZ,★HelpfulDid you speak to a "senior" tech at Apple? The senior techs, though not always as knowledgeable as they should be, are usually a better bet than the first tech support people who answer.
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Jun 13, 2016 12:01 PM in response to Kai Vermehrby Dr.MORO,Hi everyone.
I have been having the same problem with some files just like here, having strange characters in it.
Mine are "TCP42S30-CutSheet.␀␀f" where probably the extension was ".PDF" before something happened.
For me, I think I have moved this file to Trash last month in May, 2016, from my Dropbox folder.
Tried most all things mentioned in the web, but still stuck with the "Invalid argument" in the Terminal.
Even tried hooking up one Mac to another by Target Mode via Firewire 800, but still same "Invalid argument" error working from the system side.
I actually have two (2) Macs with the same situation, both used above, possible from the same erroneously named yet different files.
What I have NOT tried yet:
- Rebuilding my running Mac systems from my backups, like Time Machine, which would be very time-consuming, as well as disruptive to my life, work AND play. I would really rather avoid doing this. Yet, some mention that the Trash files will not be restored. True? False? The other problem with this is, like here, I have tried to move the stuck files out of the Trash, only to create more new copies of these stuck files on my Desktop, (very BAD move...). All these files I cannot rename, nor move.
- Try access from an older Mac OS system. Now having errors with the latest El Capitan 10.11.5, but just maybe from 10.10 or earlier will give me control? Maybe not with 10.6, though.
- Call Apple support for help. But, looks like this is a no-go situation for now.
One thing I do suspect, from what is listed here, is that this file was originally on my Dropbox folder, which I tried to delete from my Dropbox. This is when this file (folder that has it in) got stuck in the Trash. The Primary poster Kai Vermehr also mentions about Dropbox. Just a coincidence?
I will be watching this post, in hopes that this can be fixed.