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PatrickPong

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 9, 2010
9
0
I'm having trouble deleting an .avi file from my system. When I try and empty recycle bin this file always remains and says that the file can't be deleted because it's still in use. I've tried closing down all my media players with no success. Has the file got a virus? What would anyone recommend??
 
If you're referring to OS X, it's Trash, not Recycle Bin. Try holding down the Option key when emptying the Trash.
 
and option-right clicked finder icon, still says operation can't be completed because file is still in use.
 
Thanks dewguy1999 success!! thanks very much, i shut down whole system and started again.
 
Next time that happens, open Terminal.app and use this command to empty trash

rm -rf ~/.Trash/*
 
I did try that still the same result
something that has worked for me in the past...
drag that file out of the trash to your desktop.
change the name of the file in any way that you like, just so the name is different.
make a new folder, then drag the file into that folder.
Drag that new folder to the trash.
Now empty the trash.
 
Next time that happens, open Terminal.app and use this command to empty trash

rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

try that again with sudo on the front, there is no reason it wouldn't work.

If somehow it still does not work boot to single user then do:
/sbin/mount -uw /
rm -rf /Users/youruser/.Trash/*
shutdown -r now
 
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