Trash Can Disappeared

Question

Trash Can Disappeared

My trash can has disappeared. If I want to trash something, I can hit command-delete and the file deletes immediately. (It can no longer be found using the Find command.)

I would like to get the Trash icon back so that I have the option of waiting before permanently removing files. I have tried repairing permissions and rebooting, but I have been unsuccessful. I found a way to delete and recreate the Trash directory, but I am afraid to do this because I don't want to accidentally erase my whole hard drive (one of the things they warned against in the instructions on how to do this). Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jan 18, 2008 9:05 AM

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Answer 1

ali brown

Level 7

26,493 points

Jan 18, 2008 9:24 AM in response to twirlingelephants

Hi twirlingelephants!

The User Trash folder, is an invisible folder in the Home directory.

You may have more than one problem.
Navigate to HD > Users > Your Account > Library > Preferences: in this folder, locate, and move to the Desktop this file com.apple.dock.plist.
Restart the Mac.

Does the Trash Alias, in the Dock reappear?

See if anything here Files dragged to the Trash "will be deleted immediately" alert., authored by Dr Smoke, helps.

ali b

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2008 9:16 AM in response to twirlingelephants

Further examination using Terminal shows that the Trash directory is still there and contains all the files that I threw out. However, these files cannot be located using a Find command in the Finder.

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Answer 3

ali brown

Level 7

26,493 points

Jan 18, 2008 9:41 AM in response to twirlingelephants

You're Welcome Nancy!

What worked like a charm? Deleting the .plist?
Or changing the Permissions?

But as the Trash icon cannot be removed from the Dock normally, I wonder how it went MIA.
Maybe you should also run Repair Disk, and Repair Permissions, just to be safe.

And Thank You, for extending the courtesy, of awarding

in  Discussions, as this is not a requirement, nor mandatory, but is much appreciated!

ali b

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Answer 4

Jan 18, 2008 7:07 PM in response to ali brown

Deleting the plist worked. I did run Repair Disk and repaired permissions as well, so I think I will be OK now.

You're welcome for the star, but after all, credit where credit is due. You earned it. Thanks again!

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2008 9:32 AM in response to ali brown

Thanks, Ali! Worked like a charm!
Now why didn't I think of that...?

Nancy

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