rm: illegal option --M (terminal problems) - Empty Trash

Question

rm: illegal option --M (terminal problems) - Empty Trash

I had some locked files. Couldn't delete them. Used sudo command in terminal to no avail. Used the 'unlock' file instructions from support page. Went into single-user mode, followed instructions. Blue screened at end. Rebooted. Was able to unlock file from desktop that was previously locked. Now I try to empty trash, but locked files won't go away.

I run terminal app (sudo command to empty trash) and get this error:

rm: illegal option --M

usage: rm [-f | -i] [-dPRrvW] file ...

unlink file

Please help, not sure what to do at this stage.

Thanks!

iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 29, 2011 8:45 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Ronda Wilson

Level 8

42,650 points

May 29, 2011 11:40 AM in response to SunshineSinCity

Hi, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

You may want to try this free application:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it

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Answer 2

May 30, 2011 10:38 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Thank you for the link! However it was unable to solve my problem. I will keep trying today and if I find the solution I will be sure to post it.

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Answer 3

May 30, 2011 4:23 PM in response to SunshineSinCity

Have you tried using Disk Utility to repair disk permissions?

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Answer 4

Jun 13, 2011 8:28 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Thanks for all your help, nothing is working. I've decided to erase the hard drive and start over. I'll be installing a Linux OS on it. I have everything backed up, so all is good. Thanks again!

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Answer 5

Jun 13, 2011 8:32 AM in response to SunshineSinCity

Good luck!

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Answer 6

Nov 26, 2012 1:27 PM in response to SunshineSinCity

I had some locked files. Couldn't delete them. Used sudo command in terminal to no avail. Used the 'unlock' file instructions from support page. Went into single-user mode, followed instructions. Blue screened at end. Rebooted. Was able to unlock file from desktop that was previously locked. Now I try to empty trash, but locked files won't go away.

I run terminal app (sudo command to empty trash) and get this error:

rm: illegal option --M

usage: rm [-f | -i] [-dPRrvW] file ...

unlink file

Please help, not sure what to do at this stage.

Thanks!

iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

All you have to do is put a space after the -R ex: sudo rm -R blah/sdjhdf/ etc...

Reply

Answer 7

FIdroos

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2015 7:03 AM in response to SunshineSinCity

I got the exact same error and this happened to be a syntax problem. Appears that I missed out a space some between my sudo command.

The one that worked was "sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash" without quotes. The only spaces being right after the 'o', 'm', and 'f'

Hope this helps.

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Answer 8

snahnav

Level 1

4 points

Mar 25, 2017 2:29 PM in response to FIdroos

Worked for me too dd. march 25 2017

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