Files not Compressing, just makes "empty trash" noise

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Level 1

8 points

Files not Compressing, just makes "empty trash" noise

Okay, this one is baffling me - perhaps a novel issue. For the past three months or so, when I try to "Compress" by clicking on a file and then using the RightClick+Control menu and select "Compress." My Mac makes the sound when you "Empty Trash" and no new, compressed file shows up.

I imagine there needs to be some Terminal command typed in to fix a path. Can't find any other comments of this happening to anyone else. Any geniuses out there who might know how to fix this?

Thanks, B

MacBook Pro

Posted on Nov 25, 2022 10:14 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,141 points

Nov 25, 2022 2:38 PM in response to brunsong

Start with this of M1 or M2 Mac...

Start up a Mac with Apple silicon in safe mode

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Shut Down.

After your Mac shuts down, wait 10 seconds.

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until the startup options window appears showing available startup disks and Options.

Select a startup disk.

Press and hold the Shift key, click Continue in Safe Mode, then release the Shift key.

To leave safe mode, restart your Mac normally, without pressing and holding any keys during startup.

Start with this if IntelMac...

Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes or more.

Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

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Answer 2

brunsong Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 25, 2022 3:47 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the response. Tried Compress in Safe mode, but doesn't do anything, almost like it ignores the command. Ran Disk Utility in Safe Mode, then restarted in normal mode to see if it fixed it also. Still makes that "Empty Trash" sound and no new compressed file. Other ideas?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,141 points

Nov 25, 2022 3:55 PM in response to brunsong

To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...

Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

Does it work in the new account?

If it doesn't work in the new account I can only imagine a Reinstall is needed...

Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold ...

Command (⌘)-R

Installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.

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Files not Compressing, just makes "empty trash" noise

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