Now, I can't get them out of the trash and when I empty the trash, they are still there. Is there anyway to clear the trash?
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
This might help: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526
Do not repeat DO NOT delete TM backups!!! Please read this TM FAQ http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html specifically point 12.
Although the documentation says you can delete Time Machine snapshots by moving them to the Trash, it often doesn't work. The only way to recover is to erase the backup volume and start over. Don't do that right away if this is your only backup. Put the device aside until you're sure you'll no longer need the data. Meanwhile, start a new backup on another device.
I put backup files in the from Time Machine in the trash before realizing that was not the way to delete them.
