Cannot Empty Trash

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Cannot Empty Trash

Every time I go to empty my trash, I get a "Cannot empty trash, the file .Trash is in use.....," so how do I find .Trash is the Trash folder to delete the files. Just a tip, if you give me script, I need instruction, I'm really clueless when it comes to script.

Thanks,
Swimr59

MacBook Late 2007, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 1, 2009 5:48 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

b_p

Level 1

65 points

Apr 1, 2009 5:53 PM in response to swimr59

Did you try holding down the "Option" key when you empty the trash? Try that.

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Answer 2

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Apr 1, 2009 5:59 PM in response to swimr59

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Apr 1, 2009 6:03 PM in response to swimr59

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

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Answer 4

swimr59 Author

Level 1

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Apr 1, 2009 6:12 PM in response to swimr59

Okay, I tried holding option and it didn't do anything, and I read the article, but when you search in Finder, the .Trash file does not show up, so the point of the article is void, unless the .Trash is something else in 10.5.6. Thanks for your hard work.

Swimr59

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Apr 1, 2009 6:59 PM in response to swimr59

Not enough detail. The .Trash is a hidden directory inside your home directory. This command in the Terminal app (/Applications/Utilities/):

*ls -Al*

will show:

+drwx------ 2 <username> staff 68 Apr 1 15:38 .Trash+

assuming that you haven't changed the Terminal app's default behavior. What exactly is holding the OPTION button supposed to accomplish? Securely emptying it? Searching in the Finder (CMD+F) with System files and invisibles selected as options, should reveal its existence.

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Answer 6

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:34 PM in response to baltwo

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/34132

If you hate the Terminal, this works quite well.

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Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:41 PM in response to scb

I prefer TinkerTool.

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Answer 8

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:43 PM in response to baltwo

I would never argue with you. I would point out that my option is free. Does only this job.

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Answer 9

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:50 PM in response to scb

Understood. So's TinkerTool and it does quite a bit more.

New avatar?

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Answer 10

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:53 PM in response to baltwo

It's for my artistic side 😉.

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Answer 11

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Apr 1, 2009 8:17 PM in response to scb

Hmmm! Thought it changed. There are sides? 🙂

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Answer 12

swimr59 Author

Level 1

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Apr 2, 2009 3:43 AM in response to swimr59

Okay, the Reveal software did not work, although I did find alot of files left over from Microsoft Word, no point in deleting them, though. I allreciate all of your time, but, the problem still remains.

P.S- Running the script only showed files I knew were there, thanks though

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Answer 13

swimr59 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2009 3:49 AM in response to swimr59

Okay, thanks for all your help, apple support finally came through, I tried booting into the repair disk, which found the corrupt .Trash file from a flash drive I cleared out a while ago. I appreciate all of your help.

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