Impossible to delete a file

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Level 1

8 points

Impossible to delete a file

I've found a file on my Mac, named Thumbs.db/encryptable.
I was able to delete (put in trash), but when I empty the trash the file stay there.

I try disk repairing from OSX dvd boot.
Try deleting in single user mode, and a lot of other method what I've found on google.
Try delete by id.
Nothing...

This is the main drive, mac os extended journaled.
The drive is in good condition.

IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO ELIMINATE A FILE?

Macbook Pro 13, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:19 PM in response to stenya

Does the file actually contain the '/' character? If so, that's likely what is causing the problem. That's a special character on Unix-based systems.

Try this, assuming you're using an admin account: put it in the trash, then open the Terminal and paste in this command, then hit return:


sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

Be sure to copy and paste, not re-type... that is an extremely dangerous command, and a typo could destroy you. Note that you'll be prompted for your account password, and won't see anything when you type it.

If that doesn't fix it, let us know.

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Answer 2

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:32 PM in response to thomas_r.

Yes, this is the problem.
The filename contain '/' character.

I tried your suggestion earlier, the result was then and now again:


rm: /Users/stenya/.Trash/a: Directory not empty

The 'a' letter is a directory where the file is. I am able to rename it, move from trash to Desktop or anywhere containing this strange file. (I think this folder is indifferent to the problem.)

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Answer 3

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:35 PM in response to stenya

Ohh, and earlier I've tried this command in single-user mode and target-disk-mode...

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Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:40 PM in response to stenya

Okay, so this file, named "Thumbs.db/encryptable", is located in a folder named "a" in the Trash, correct? If so, try this:


rm -f ~/.Trash/a/Thumbs.db/encryptable

If you get any complaint about permissions being inadequate, tack the "sudo" on to the beginning and try again.

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Answer 5

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:05 PM in response to thomas_r.

Yes, you are correct.
We know, no result message mean OK, but the file is there... (sudo or not).

I tore my hair, when I tried all the tips found in google.
I really appreciate your help. I hope you will havepatience 🙂

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Answer 6

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:30 PM in response to stenya

Well, this one's a long shot, but try holding down the option key while emptying the trash.

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Answer 7

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,792 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:36 PM in response to stenya

Try this modification of Thomas' Terminal command:

rm -f ~/.Trash/"Thumbs.db/encryptable"

The quotes tell UNIX to treat everything within them as a text string so it doesn't see the / as a path separator.

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Answer 8

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:48 PM in response to thomas_r.

Sound played, file stayed

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Answer 9

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:49 PM in response to Kurt Lang

No result message. trash icon is full, file stayed 😟

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Answer 10

Feb 1, 2011 5:56 PM in response to stenya

stenya wrote:

I am able to rename it, move from trash to Desktop or anywhere containing this strange file.

If this is the case, then drag it out of the trash onto your desktop.

Open Terminal (Application-->Utilities-->Terminal)

1) paste:

sudo rm -i

2) (enter a single space after command) then drag the file into the Terminal window (this is a shortcut to typing the file path.)
3) then press enter
4) enter your password
5) if the file is indeed the one you want deleted, then enter "y' (this deletion cannot be undone)

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Answer 11

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:03 PM in response to stenya

Okay, here's another possibility. First, execute the following two commands:


cd ~/.Trash/a/
ls -il

Now, at the very beginning of the line showing the problem file in the listing, there should be some number. Now, take that number and execute the following command:


find . -inum 123456 -exec rm -i {} ;

...where you replace "123456" with the number for that file. You'll be prompted if you want to remove the file - press 'y' and hit return.

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Answer 12

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:37 PM in response to thomas_r.

Round-1:


stenyamac:.Trash stenya$ cd ~/.Trash/a/
stenyamac:a stenya$ ls -il
ls: Thumbs.db:encryptable: No such file or directory
stenyamac:a stenya$

I tried to get the inode number of folder 'a', then delete by inode:


stenyamac:a stenya$ cd ~/.Trash/
stenyamac:.Trash stenya$ ls -il
total 0
3988370 drwxr-xr-x@ 3 stenya staff 102 Dec 18 01:18 a
stenyamac:.Trash stenya$ find . -inum 3988370 -exec rm -i {} ;
rm: ./a: is a directory
find: ./a/Thumbs.db:encryptable: No such file or directory
stenyamac:.Trash stenya$

crazy

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Answer 13

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:41 PM in response to leroydouglas

After moved from Trash to Desktop, open a terminal and try drag the mystic file:


stenyamac:.Trash stenya$ sudo rm -i /Users/stenya/Desktop/a/Thumbs.db:encryptable 
Password:
rm: /Users/stenya/Desktop/a/Thumbs.db:encryptable: No such file or directory
stenyamac:.Trash stenya$

Let's drag the folder 'a':


stenyamac:.Trash stenya$ sudo rm -i /Users/stenya/Desktop/a 
rm: /Users/stenya/Desktop/a: is a directory
stenyamac:.Trash stenya$

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Answer 14

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:41 PM in response to stenya

Your Terminal output provides us some valuable information... note that it shows the name in the Terminal as "Thumbs.db:encryptable". So, try this:


rm -f ~/.Trash/a/"Thumbs.db:encryptable"

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Answer 15

stenya Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:50 PM in response to thomas_r.

Yes, the colon ":" is the OS9 path separator. I've tried at all command you recommend, and a lot of google result said that. (Strange, but I think Adobe Scripts use colon yet...)

It is very strange, because this "/" is in the filename, but it should not exist, should not created.
Some forums said maybe windows create the file.

I've found one solutione what I cant try: Attaching the drive to OS9, that will be able to delete.
But I have no OS9...

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