"Ghost" File on my desktop - How do I get rid of it?

Question

"Ghost" File on my desktop - How do I get rid of it?

I have an icon on my desktop for a PDF file that I downloaded. I think what happend was it was in the middle of downloading, and I canceled it. But instead of having a partially downloaded file that I can throw in the trash, I have this 'ghost' sitting on my desktop that I can't get rid of.

Only the file name text at the bottom of the icon and an empty outline of an icon appears. When I click on it, the whole thing disappears. If I try and drag it to the trash I get a message saying 'unable to delete item - Error 2'. If I look at the desktop using Finder, it shows the name of the file and than a dashed outline where the icon should be. So it is there, but not there.

So...how do I get rid of this stupid thing? I am also worried that it might be some kind of a sign of a fault in the operating system. Could I be heading for a major crash or something?

Help please!!

Shauna

Posted on Oct 17, 2005 11:12 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 18, 2005 8:11 AM in response to Shauna Hillier

If you don't mind using Unix:

1. Open the Terminal app (located in the Utilities folder.) Press Return after each command line in the following instructions.

2. At the prompt enter:

prompt> cd Desktop
prompt > ls -l (verify the filename is listed)
prompt > rm -rf 'filename' (quotes are not needed unless filename has spaces in it)
prompt > ls -l (verify file has been deleted)

3. Quit the Terminal app.

If this does not work, then visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Trash problems for additional solutions.

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Answer 2

Oct 18, 2005 12:28 PM in response to Kappy

A add-on to a excellent reply by Kappy....

After step 3 as you quit Terminal..... click on the Desktop and the the file will vanish...

Also this works with a file ... but not with a folder

bigbiker

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 18, 2005 1:10 PM in response to George Orville

George,

I believe the "rm -rf filename" will work with folders as well. The '-rf' switches are supposed to direct the command to delete recursively through the folder all files and sub-folders, if I understand the documentation correctly.

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 18, 2005 1:45 PM in response to George Orville

George,

Am I reading this wrong? From the man pages:

-R Attempt to remove the file hierarchy rooted in each file
argument. The -R option implies the -d option. If the -i
option is specified, the user is prompted for confirmation
before each directory's contents are processed (as well as
before the attempt is made to remove the directory). If the
user does not respond affirmatively, the file hierarchy
rooted in that directory is skipped.

-r Equivalent to -R.

What do you think?

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Answer 5

Oct 24, 2005 2:58 PM in response to Shauna Hillier

I have a like problem with an alias on an iMac (machine ID 406), PowerPC G3, 233MHz, OS9.1, 32MB RAM (+ 256MB virtual). When I try to delete it the finder says it can't be found. Sherlock lists it but it is in a dimmed condition and can not be highlighted. Can't move it to the trash with keyboard shortcuts or by dragging and dropping. I can't rename it, but I can move it around on the desktop. It appeared after a power failure in our building with the program open (it is MS Internet Explorer's alias, which got renamed in the outage, don't ask me how). I have also tryed resetting the P-RAM. At wit's end. Any help is appreciated.
Bryan Wheeler

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 24, 2005 4:25 PM in response to Bryan Wheeler

Bryan,

Well, you hijacked this thread which is in the OS X forum whereas your problem is an OS 9 problem and should have been posted separately in that forum, not here.

You might try booting from your OS 9 Installer CD, then try deleting the file. If that doesn't succeed, then you should post a new topic in the Mac OS 9 forum where you are more likely to find relevant assistance.

I found the following OS 9 troubleshooting site.

It doesn't address your problem, but it does have some additional links you might check.

Also, here's a listing of possibly relevant KB articles.

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Answer 7

Oct 25, 2005 10:55 AM in response to Shauna Hillier

Why do people do what Shauna Hillier did on her last post....
She states..... Thanks for all the help people! Problem solved!

and does not specify what was done to solve her problem !!!!

bigbiker

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Answer 8

Oct 25, 2005 12:02 PM in response to dru

Since Kappy was the only person who posted a solution, I'd assume that is the solution for which thanks were given 😉

But in order to find out what Kappy posted as a solution...you have to go back and find the solution that was posted....

All the person had to say .... Thanks Kappy...your method worked !!!!

bigbiker

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Answer 9

Oct 18, 2005 1:31 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy,
I tried the commands within the last half hour ... it works with files b ut not with a folder !!!!

george

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Answer 10

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 24, 2005 3:27 PM in response to Bryan Wheeler

A method for removal is in an earlier post in this thread. Have you read the other posts in the thread?

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Answer 11

Oct 24, 2005 4:05 PM in response to Kappy

Unless I missed something, all that I saw were commands in Unix, my iMac is ANCIENT and running only OS 9.1, not Unix.
Bryan

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Answer 12

Oct 24, 2005 5:00 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy,
Thanks for the recommendation, unfortunately the boot from the OS9 CD didn't clear the problem. It's off to the websites and discussions you proposed.
Bryan

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