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Empty Trash error -8003

Can anyone help?

I am trying to empty trash, having just installed Snow Leopard. However, I keep getting an error -8003 (which is not documented anywhere in the error code pages).

I think it may have arisen because I deleted some backup files as I have moved to Airport Extreme for Time Machine - other forums have discussed this but none have any resolution

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Sep 1, 2009 4:48 AM

107 replies

Oct 9, 2010 2:06 PM in response to gianna13

Quick erase in "Clean My Mac" also works. Just drop and drag all the files in the "Trash"

http://macpaw.com

Jim Sky

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2010 12:12 PM in response to MiamiJ

This process worked for me as well. I never touch TM backups manually, but TM had previously gotten hosed and tried to backup 189GB one day rather than its usual 2 to 3GB, and so I clicked the "X" to stop TM backup, but didn't manually delete any files.

Today after running MacUpdate and updating a bunch of apps, I got error -8003 and couldn't empty trash.

Created a temporary directory on the HDD, then opened package contents one by one right in the trash itself, moved each -Resources- directory to the temporary directory (just dragged 'em out of the trash one at a time), leaving everything else in the trash, and was able to Empty Trash. While copying I sometimes created a new directory name and sometimes just over-wrote the -Resources- directory that was in my temp directory. It didn't seem to matter as long as I removed them from the trash.

Keep in mind that some -Resources- directories contain packages within themselves which contain further -Resources- directories ... have to pull all of them out of the trash.

Then I right-clicked and executed "Move to Trash" one at a time on the -Resources- directories, emptying the trash after each directory was trashed, and was able to (over about 15 minutes) delete all files. Finder didn't complain at all if I was deleting Resources folders one at a time.

Message was edited by: Jim Sky

Nov 10, 2010 6:28 PM in response to Shuttle guy

That sounds really like the Windows nightmares have come true on the Mac! A small problem, quick, re-install the OS!

Nov 13, 2010 5:41 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

Unlike some others here, I deleted nothing from a Time Machine or any other backup but I was also getting the -8003 error when trying to empty my trash, even after a reboot.

Trash It! worked like a champ though. 🙂

MSM126

Level 1

10 points

Nov 20, 2010 4:43 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

Thank you for posting the update. TrashIt worked perfectly for me!

Dec 13, 2010 12:29 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

I'm seeing this error whenever I try to delete anything at all. So at least for me it appears to be unrelated to time machine.

I have to use a utility to "force empty the trash" whenever I wish to delete even a single file. I've been using BatchMod for this and it works well.

Anyone have a permanent solution that actually fixes the underlying problem rather than just a workaround like we have all been using? Thanks.

fireiron

Level 1

0 points

Dec 15, 2010 10:33 AM in response to Mishutka Europe

I tried having an Apple Tech call me. He had me start in safe mode (hold down shift while your computer is turning on). It DID NOT resolve the issue.

I tried using Trash It! ( http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it!). It takes a while, but it did the trick.

I had trouble because I was trying to delete old backups off of an external hard drive. Once I got them cleaned up, the regular empty trash functions normally.

manctaff

Level 1

0 points

Dec 20, 2010 9:17 AM in response to MaddAddam

Same problem with switching external HDDs and wanting to delete TM backups. Trashit didn't do anything, by CleanmyMac worked really well, so thanks to tip.

jmpdd

Level 1

1 points

Jan 14, 2011 3:50 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

Just had this 8003 error trying to dump off Time Machine files. After trying unsuccessfully Trash It, I went to another start-up disk, emptied the Trash, went back to my Mac HD and there it was ... garbage gone.
24" Intel IMac, 8 gigs of Ram, 4 external drives, OS 10.6.6

ajross31

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2011 3:57 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

My solution to Trash Error -8003:

If you have moved the backup files to the Trash, use the "Put Back" command (right click the file) in the Trash to put it back where it came from. Then you can delete the other files.

Make sure to right click and select "Put Back" - don't try drag and drop, and dont apple + z it.

moonduck

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2011 10:00 AM in response to Mishutka Europe

"Trash-it" works great. Save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it!
Download it for free. Send the guy some money if you want. Delete your trash in about 3 seconds. I had over 80 GB of stuff in my trash that wouldn't delete and I was getting the -8003 error. Trash-it took care of it immediately.

May 2, 2011 8:33 PM in response to Mishutka Europe

I THINK I HAVE SOLVED THIS.

I seems to be a caching issue. I did a full automation using the Onyx App. Although I did the full thing, leaving out only the Spotlight reset, I believe it was ultimately the clearing of the caches which broke the link that caused my error -8003. So I could finally empty the Trash.

I wouldn't be brave enough to use Trash It. I don't know enough about the App and am very cautious about using weird Apps.

I used the trusty old Onyx. Clear your caches. Try Empty Trash again.

P.S. Secure Empty Trash didn't work for me. Use Onyx, select the Automation tab > check all the "Cleaning" checkboxes. If it doesn't work for you you can go back to check all the checkboxes - even ones not in the Cleaning section. But I don't think you'll need to go this far. There is no need to reset Spotlight, so you can leave that one unchecked.

P.P.S iCab was the App that caused this issue for me. That App is never getting back on my machine.

P.P.P.S Never touch the App iClock with a ten foot barge pole. iClock had nothing to do with this issue, but I just thought I'd warn you all. If you think it's tough deleting iCab, iClock is a vicious worm of an App that infests your Mac like poison Ivy.

j.dyson

Level 1

10 points

May 8, 2011 6:44 PM in response to JoeTheCoder

Joe, Onyx also has a Trash section under Utilities where you can Delete or Secure Delete the Trash contents for all users and all volumes in one swoop. For most people, this is enough, but if you need to empty Trash on only one volume, perhaps your approach is the way to go.

I've had nothing but good luck with Onyx, so thumbs up from me.

May 10, 2011 4:41 AM in response to j.dyson

I see that option now. Good find.

It is worth pointing that that option empties all Trash from All Accounts on your Mac.

May 29, 2011 9:36 AM in response to Mishutka Europe

Joe,

Great call. I recently upgraded to a new iMac and after transferring the data from my old iMac to the new, wanted to start with a fresh external drive for back-up. I started the process of deleting the old TM back-ups which went well but slow. Then I received the 8003 error and could not find a way to get around the issue. My level of Mac knowledge is likely slightly above average at best and I started to get frustrated about having an error on a new machine; an error which I knew I likely caused by deleting TM back-ups in a poor manner.

After downloading a file deletion app which did not appear to work I searched the net for assistance. I read about using Trash-it but didn't want to download yet another app to fix the problem. I saw suggestions for using command line fixes but don't know enough to venture into that territory. Even suggestions of re-installing the OS which was the last thing I wanted to do. Then I saw your post on Onyx and remembered I had the app which I used to keep the old iMac clean. I started it up and used the trash delete function, which I didn't even realize it had (smile) and it worked like a charm.

For any individuals like me who may be getting the same error and are getting frustrated because you're not a whiz as fixing IT issues I recommend Onyx. It's easy to use for novices and seems to work very well.

Empty Trash error -8003