I can't empty my trash !

Question

Level 1

1 points

I can't empty my trash !

i can't empty my trash i tried many ideas but the problem still exist,

i tried the following command in terminal :

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

but same problem , and these files in my trash all not from an external drive..

any help plz ?

MacBookAir, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Oct 17, 2008 2:49 AM

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Answer 1

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Oct 17, 2008 7:41 AM in response to Qussai

do you get an error message when you run

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

if so what does it say? also, let's check where those files are located.
drag one of the files from trash to the terminal window. It show show its full path. post it here please.

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Answer 2

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Oct 17, 2008 8:18 AM in response to Qussai

Qussai wrote:
i can't empty my trash i tried many ideas but the problem still exist,

i tried the following command in terminal :

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

but same problem , and these files in my trash all not from an external drive..

any help plz ?

It might be a permission issue.
Drag the files onto your desktop and then run disk utility and repair permissions.
Then, one at a time, see if you can trash them.

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Answer 3

Qussai Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 17, 2008 9:37 AM in response to Qussai

I tried this command, sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

and i prepaired the persmission and i take those files in the desktop and then i prepaired the permission and then try to empty the trash again , but the problem still exist.

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Answer 4

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Oct 17, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Qussai

please answer my questions from the previous post. did the command sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash give any errors? also, do what I said to get the path of a file in the trash and post the results.

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Answer 5

Oct 17, 2008 10:35 AM in response to Qussai

You i'm not wrong, when you try to empty a trash holding the option key, solve some problem.
Many time happend that the file is broken ou some permission, if i hold de option 100% the times the trash is cleaned

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Answer 6

Qussai Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 18, 2008 2:11 AM in response to V.K.

hi V.K.

i dont get any error message when i do sudo command i just get nothing this is the result

RNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss
or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your
typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information.

To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort.

Password:
qussais-macbook-air:~ Q$

and this is the path for the file from the trash :

Last login: Sat Oct 18 12:00:02 on console
qussais-macbook-air:~ Q$ /Users/Q/.Trash/untitled\ folder/71008.pdf
-bash: /Users/Q/.Trash/untitled folder/71008.pdf: Permission denied
qussais-macbook-air:~ Q$ sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

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Answer 7

Qussai Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 18, 2008 2:15 AM in response to dionizioaf

i tried holding option and then empty the trash same problem

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Answer 8

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Oct 18, 2008 5:20 AM in response to Qussai

hmm, the terminal output indicates that the file is indeed in your main trash folder. sudo rm should have deleted it or at least given a warning if it couldn't. Is your admin password by any chance blank? sudo will fail silently with a blank password. if it is blank please change it to a nonblank one and rerun the command.

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Answer 9

BrownK

Level 1

11 points

Oct 18, 2008 6:41 AM in response to V.K.

Have finder in the front, and go to the Finder Menu up top. Move down to "Secure Empty Trash" and click on it. That works for me whenever i cant get anything to delete. If that doesn't work, reboot your computer and do the same process very quickly, before any application may need the file or something.

Hope that helps,

Kevin

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Answer 10

TresRoque

Level 1

102 points

Oct 26, 2008 4:11 AM in response to Qussai

am no scripter, but my tip is - check if the files/folders in the trash are somehow still in use.

i recently had the same problem - i was saving attachments in safari & mail to a folder i subsequently deleted.... but didn't change my prefs in each app.

there's also a wealth of info and apps to help here:

http://www.osxfaq.com/Tutorials/LearningCenter/HowTo/Trash/page1.ws

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/12664

good luck!

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Answer 11

Oct 28, 2008 5:32 AM in response to Qussai

Hi. I am having the exact same issue. The only way to empty the trash completely of this silly little hieroglyphic is to switch to list view and drag it OUT of the trash where it "poofs" away. Annoying, but it doesn't seem to be effecting anything else.

I do have a Bootcamp partition, but I am not placing any trash from the Bootcamp partition into the trash.

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Answer 12

Qussai Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 30, 2008 2:52 AM in response to TresRoque

Hi there, i tried those steps i still have problems i can't empty my trash

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Answer 13

Oct 30, 2008 3:00 AM in response to Qussai

Whenever I have an issue with emptying the trash I always use this: Force Empty Trash

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Answer 14

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Oct 30, 2008 3:49 AM in response to Qussai

Is it possible the file is from another volume?
Do you have Windows installed or another working system?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1418437

-mj

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Answer 15

Oct 30, 2008 4:29 AM in response to Qussai

start in a safe mode and empty trash with option key hold

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

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