Can't empty trash

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't empty trash

Downloaded a Power Point presentation. Once done I placed in the trash can.When I went to empty the trash a pop up says "can't empty trash because the item (xxxxx).pps is in use. Quit everything but still shows the same pop up.Moved it to a large back up disk,(external), but didn't move, it copied it, now I have to items that can't be deleted because they are in use.

I'm using a 2008 desktop iMac with OS X 10.7.5

What can I do to get rid of this item?

IBook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.8), iMac

Posted on Dec 10, 2012 10:53 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 10, 2012 10:57 AM in response to hjmeter

Reboot your system and then try to delete the items.

Post back if you still can't.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Dec 10, 2012 10:58 AM in response to hjmeter

Try holding down the OPTION key then selecting Empty Trash. If that doesn't work then restart the computer, then Empty the Trash. If that doesn't work:

Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on resolving Trash problems. Also, you can try using Trash It! 5.1.

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Answer 3

hjmeter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 10, 2012 11:20 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Thanks Frank but rebooting didn't work, did it several times but no help.

I'm open to any suggestion

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Answer 4

hjmeter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 10, 2012 11:24 AM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy, I'll try the xlab faqs. Anyway, what is "trash it! 5.1." and how do I get it?

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Dec 10, 2012 11:34 AM in response to hjmeter

hjmeter wrote:

Hi Kappy, I'll try the xlab faqs. Anyway, what is "trash it! 5.1." and how do I get it?

Click on the link and be enlightened.😉

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Answer 6

Dec 10, 2012 12:20 PM in response to hjmeter

Is the problem only with these files? If you delete another file and empty the trash do those files get deleted?

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Answer 7

hjmeter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 10, 2012 1:34 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

It is with this files only, I deleted a lot of other stuff without a problem

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Answer 8

Dec 10, 2012 2:48 PM in response to hjmeter

So you really did a reboot, not just a log out and log in? What application were you running to access these files?

Give the Trash It! script that kappy refered to a try.

How comfortable are you running commands from the Terminal window? (Asking just in case Trash It! doesn't resolve the issue)

good luck

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Answer 9

hjmeter Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 10, 2012 3:54 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

Thank you for the help Frank, downloaded Trash it and worked in no time.

But I want to answer your questions anyway, when I said I rebooted, I power down the machine, dead, and power it back up, I'm not too much into this but I think that is rebooting, tell me if I'm wrong.

As far as running commands from the Terminal window.....I don't even know what the Terminal window is.

Tell me where to read something about that, if you don't mind.

Thanks

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Answer 10

Dec 10, 2012 7:20 PM in response to hjmeter

Glad TrashIt worked for you.

Yes what you did was a reboot. I just asked to confirm we were both talking about the same thing.

As far as the Terminal goes, it's a way to interact with the system directly, without the graphical user interface coming between you and the machine. At times certain troubleshooting techniques are easier to do or only can be done this way.

I'm not sure where to point you to for information to get you started. I'll try and see if I can come up with anything and let you know.

regards

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