How to delete Unix Executable Files

I have seen this error code multiple times before. Here's your solution:

1. Force quit the Finder.
2. Click the Relaunch button.
3. Click Relaunch again.

Maybe these articles will help:

You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash

The X Lab: Solving Trash Problems

You might also consider using a utility like TrashIt.

FWIW, error -1407 is corresponds to "Expected a folder, got a file". You may want to consider running Disk Utility to repair/verify your drive(s).

AMCarter3 wrote:

I have some very old files on my laptop that I cannot delete. The file type is: Unix Executable File.

The type is bogus. It's what Finder says when the file has no filename extension, nor file type signature.

When I attempt to trash these files, I get error msg: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407).

The error is "Expected a folder, got a file". Possibly bogus too.

The simplest way to get rid of them (if they're not too many) is in Terminal. Here's a short description of Terminal

<http://guides.macrumors.com/Terminal>

To delete one of your files, in Terminal, at your prompt, type

rm -fR

(that's "rm<blank_space><hyphen>fR<blank_space>")

Then drag the file on the Terminal window. Its path should be inserted on the command line. (Make sure it's the right file. The rm command is not undoable.) Finally, press Return to execute the command. The file should be deleted whatever it is. If there's an error, copy the message text and paste it here.

That solution is interesting, I"m just not sure if it was a false-positive though.

Hi,
I'm having a similar problem. I can't delete a damanaged file (in this case a jpg). I"m trying to backup my my external drive and I get an error: "The problem may be temporary. Try again later to back up. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk.Latest successful backup: 8/18/12 at 2:21 PM"

So I ran Disk Utility on all draives no problem. Then I ran Time Machine buddy and found the offending files (three 3 jpgs that won't open). When I try to move these to the trash, I get this error: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407).

When I tried to dete the files using fane_J's recommendation using Terminal I get this error:

rm: illegal option -- /

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

unlink file

Any ideas?

Hi,
I'm having a similar problem. I can't delete a damanaged file (in this case a jpg). I"m trying to backup my my external drive and I get an error: "The problem may be temporary. Try again later to back up. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk.Latest successful backup: 8/18/12 at 2:21 PM"

So I ran Disk Utility on all draives no problem. Then I ran Time Machine buddy and found the offending files (three 3 jpgs that won't open). When I try to move these to the trash, I get this error: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407).

When I tried to dete the files using fane_J's recommendation using Terminal I get this error:

rm: illegal option -- /

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

unlink file

Any ideas?

As AMCarter3 mentioned, rename the file by adding .doc

At this point I was able to open my Unix file as script.

I simply deleted some of the script, moved the file to trash and was able to empty the trash completely.