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Level 1

0 points

CANNOT DELETE FILES (.db and .ini files)

i moved files from my dell to my new mac. my computer is now loaded with files like "thumbs.db" and "desktop.ini"

do i need these on a mac? why will they not move into the trash folder?

i cant get them into the trash folder at all.
i have tried to unlock them through file info and that does not work.

MACBOOKPRO, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Dec 28, 2008 9:00 PM

21 replies

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Dec 29, 2008 1:01 AM in response to stronghold79

It will affect the others if they have the uchg flag set, but I can't see why any of the files in your pictures folder should have that set anyway.

Guinness is the beverage of choice 😉

stronghold79 Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 29, 2008 1:08 AM in response to Nick King

so do you think there is risk of losing pictures? they are backed up, but still...?

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Dec 29, 2008 1:11 AM in response to stronghold79

No risk at all... unless you delete them 😉

All this command will do is switch the immutable flag off on all the files in your Pictures directory. You can then delete your troublesome files.

stronghold79 Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 29, 2008 1:14 AM in response to Nick King

ok, if this works, you will be my hero!!! going to try in the morning, its 3am here in Chicago. Ill keep you posted. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!

stronghold79 Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 29, 2008 1:15 AM in response to Nick King

oh, and i think im going to name my band "immutable flag off" love it!

Level 5

7,075 points

Dec 29, 2008 5:55 AM in response to stronghold79

Windows uses thumbs.db to store thumbnails/icons.

The file is normally hidden in windows, but since X does not recognize windows hidden flags, you see the file.

If the file is in a folder of jpgs that came over from your Dell, then it's ok to delete.

ditto desktop.ini.

If you (re)acess those folders from Windows (parallels, whatever) then windows will regenerate them.

CANNOT DELETE FILES (.db and .ini files)