I have a an unknown JPEG file on my desktop that appeared and I can't get rid it. It just has the JPEG image and doesn't show any actual picture. It has a long number for a name. I can't move it to the trash can. It won't open. I have no idea where it came from. How do I delte it?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
It might be lock somehow, select the JPEG and push command+I and if it is locked it will have a lock picture in the lower left hand corner. To get rid of it try clicking the lock to unlock the JPEG then you would be able to trash or open it.
Open Terminal in Applications>Utilities. Copy/Paste do NOT type this in.
sudo rm
Important, leave a space after rm and drag the jpeg into the Terminal window, which will write the path of the jpeg, then hit return. You will be prompted for your admin pword and given a warning. You won't see your pword in the window when you type it in. Then hit return again. When you get a new $ sign prompt, just close the window and quit Terminal. It should nuke it.
Message was edited by: WZZZ
I'm trying to follow your instructions carefully but I can't get the jpeg to stay in the terminal window. I did cut and paste the code in their and I did get the warning and I did type in the password and then tried to close Terminal but nothing happened. Is the JPEG supposed to stay in the Terminal window? No matter what I do, that JPEG sign with the long set of numbers and letters just goes back to the very same spot on the desktop. I can't move like all other folders and pictures on the desk top, it always goes back to that same spot.
DLGingerich wrote:
I'm trying to follow your instructions carefully but I can't get the jpeg to stay in the terminal window. I did cut and paste the code in their and I did get the warning and I did type in the password and then tried to close Terminal but nothing happened. Is the JPEG supposed to stay in the Terminal window? No matter what I do, that JPEG sign with the long set of numbers and letters just goes back to the very same spot on the desktop. I can't move like all other folders and pictures on the desk top, it always goes back to that same spot.
No, it doesn't stay in the Terminal window. Dragging it in -- just drop it there -- just writes out the Unix path of that file. You should be getting something like this. This is for a .png (screenshot) I created just to show you. But, again, you must leave a space after the "rm."
yourusername$ sudo rm /Users/yourusernamer/Desktop/Screen\ shot\ 2012-01-07\ at\ 1.27.27\ PM.png
Not sure if it's related, but some users of Excel get similar ghost files.
Try a restart.
Thanks! I tried the Command+L but it doesn't show a lock. Any other ideas?
Sorry I ment command+i the captial "i" looks like an "L" I l
Thanks for catching that but I did try "i" the first time in case I misread it and then I just tried it again but no luck. Thanks for your help!
Maybe this free utility will help: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it! (so long as the file isn't needed)
Did you try to trash it while pressing the option key ?
Thanks! I tried to trash it while pressing the option key but it I get a message that it can't be deleted.
Thanks for the suggestion! I downloaded the free Trash It software but that didn't help either.
Ultimately, after trying everything else, it disappeared when I restarted the computer. Thanks everyone for your help!!!
Unknown and unwanted jpg file on my desk top
