Can't move files to trash

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Level 1

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Can't move files to trash

Hi all,
I recently got a new MacBook Pro (2.3 i7 QC) and did a migration from my old MacBook Pro (2.4 Core2Duo). Since I got this new MBP, I am not able to move files to the trash. Every time I drag a file to the trash can and drop,or if I open the Finder window for trash and drag a file to that window, I get a message that says "Are you sure you want to delete '<filename>'? This item will be deleted immediately. You can’t undo this action." The files end up deleted as desired, but they never actually go into the trash. I performed an archive and install from my install DVD, and it didn't fix the problem. Is there a setting somewhere that I am missing?
Thanks,
Mike

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Mar 3, 2011 3:02 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

727,397 points

Mar 3, 2011 3:03 PM in response to Mike Brun

Click on the item in the Finder's sidebar with the house icon and verify that you are able to write to this folder in the Ownership & Permissions section of the Get Info window, and that it isn't locked; if it is already set this way and you get that error, open the Terminal in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder and run the following:

mkdir ~/.Trash

If you get a message stating that the folder exists, run the following:

sudo chown $UID ~/.Trash
chmod u+rwx ~/.Trash

The first command in the second set will prompt you for your administrator password; nothing will appear in the Terminal window while it is being typed. In either case, click on the Finder icon in the Dock with the Control and Option keys pressed, and relaunch it.

(57095)

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Answer 2

Mike Brun Author

Level 1

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Mar 3, 2011 5:12 PM in response to Niel

Thanks, Neil.

I ran the first script, and it returned "Permission denied."

I ran the second portion, it asked for my password, which I typed in, and then it said "No such file or directory."

Now every time I run the second script script, it just says "No such file or directory."

Is there something else I need to do?

Thanks,
Mike

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

727,397 points

Mar 3, 2011 5:23 PM in response to Mike Brun

Use the following:

sudo chown -R $UID ~
chmod -R u+rwX ~
mkdir ~/.Trash

(57098)

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Answer 4

Mike Brun Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 3, 2011 5:30 PM in response to Niel

Thanks for continuing to help me out, Niel.

It's still telling me "Permission Denied," and I still can't put things in the trash.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

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