Can't empty trash

That won't work. The files are in the Trash folder on his TM volume, not the one in his home folder. I don't know what the point of repairing permissions would be. A restart is unnecessary. Error -8003 is not a file-busy error; it's an ACL error. Restarting doesn't change the ACL's and neither does a permission repair.

I mean the menu bar at the top of the screen, for instance when you're in the Finder. You might want to look into this, if you live near an Apple Store:

Apple Retail Store - Free Workshops

I guess I too tried to erase an old TM backup file by trashing, now can't empty trash without -8003 error. My backup was a yr old but apparently still caused problems. I had TM turned off for several months.

Looking at your 6/12 notation re: Erasing TM volume. By volume do you mean to erase the entire disc & reformat. I use a large backup disc with multiple files in addition to my TM backups. How do I just erase the TM?

Sorry, probably seems like a stupid question. From my perspective TM is a pain. Nice to have the backups, but it would also be nice to set the frequency of backups so it is less frequent. I'm just a casual user & find TM really slows up my computer while it's backing up.

Thanks

You have to erase the volume (partition) with the TM repository. Other volumes on the same device don't have to be erased. That's another reason not to put any other files on the same volume as the repository. There is actually no other way to get rid of it.

1. I did not partition this disc to begin with, where do I find out how to partition it now, or can it even be done?

2. I am trying to re-copy files back from the trash but it is taking forever.

3. I have 2 ext drives, I can't recall from which I trashed the old backups that are giving me the problem. Very difficult to try to figure this out after trying other things for a wk.

Thanks very much

1. Partitioning is done with Disk Utility, which has built-in help.

3. Unmount one of the drives. If the Trash empties, that was the one with the files. If not, it's the other one.

what is the termina? i have a -8003 error when i empty trash

We get good advice on the forums but sometimes a step by step approach is more useful. Do you know of an Apple worksheet on emptying Time Machine folders that have wrongly been put into the trash. Much obliged for any help.