Cannot Empty Trash

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by iMacUnsure, Sep 29, 2013.

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  1. iMacUnsure, Sep 29, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2013

    iMacUnsure macrumors member

    iMacUnsure

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    #1
    I have tried and tried for the last hour. It's saying I do not have permission to remove some items but none of the items required any kind of permission and even if they do I do not know which one it would be. The items were downloaded onto a jump drive not the hard drive on the iMac.

    I moved them to the Trash but they are still showing on the drive.
     
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  2. Arelunde, Sep 29, 2013

    Arelunde macrumors 6502a

    Arelunde

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    #2
    To force empty the trash when it's balky, do this...

    Press/hold the Alt/Option key and click on "empty trash."

    Before you do this, you might try restarting your Mac and see if the items will delete regularly. Sometimes this is all that's needed. But the above WILL force delete balky items with no negative results (as far as I've experienced). ;)
     
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  3. MeUnix, Sep 29, 2013

    MeUnix macrumors 6502

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    #3
    I've ran into this problem before as well.

    The way I resolved it in the past is by doing a restart on my Mac and then emptying the trash.

    - Kyle
     
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  4. benwiggy, Sep 30, 2013

    benwiggy macrumors 68020

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    #4
    Moving something to the Trash puts in a folder called .Trash on the SAME drive. So files on an external drive will stay on that drive when you move them to the trash.

    The Trash in the Finder is a collection of all trash folders.
     
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  5. iMacUnsure, Oct 6, 2013

    iMacUnsure thread starter macrumors member

    iMacUnsure

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    #5
    Thanks, thats what I ended up doing.
     
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  6. robotrenegade, Oct 28, 2013

    robotrenegade macrumors 6502a

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    #6

    thank you thank you
     
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  7. iMacUnsure, Nov 5, 2013

    iMacUnsure thread starter macrumors member

    iMacUnsure

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    #7
    Well restarting it cured it the first time but will not cure it now. This is becoming a hassle. The files were not on the jump drive this time.
     
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  8. iMacUnsure, Nov 6, 2013

    iMacUnsure thread starter macrumors member

    iMacUnsure

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    #8
    OK, I tried the "purge" test but when I do I get this:

    Unable to purge disk buffers: Operation not permitted

    The AHT says there are no problems found. I installed "Smart Utility" and it did not find a problem either. So I guess I can rule out an HD problem. Restarting has not helped either.

    I have verified and repaired permissions as well. What else is there? Should I call Apple?
     
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