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Macnator

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 25, 2008
457
0
Canada
Hey everyone. This may sound funny but, I deleted some items, my time machine back ups (17 folders) into the trash can.( I had some problems) Now they will not delete from the trash can! I click on empty trash and they just sit there, I hear the sound, but nothing happens?

Anyone have an idea how to actually delete them? If you even understand the problem here at all.

Thanks! :)
 
i'm not sure if this key combo is correct, but hold shift and apple while emptying trash. it will do a force empty trash
 
by apple do you mean Command? I help Shift+Command and just heard the sound again.

This is messed up.
 
Ok, option-empty trash, Just heard the sound again. Maybe because its my time machine backups, it has too many files to delete?

omfg I want my trash can empty :(
 
There are ways to do it.

FIRST!

Check the folders, and all items in the folders to see if they're locked. If they are, unlock them and attempt to empty trash.


Failing that, extreme measures may be needed !
I saved screen shots of this in hopes that it will come in handy some day.

Using Terminal, do this:
Trash-ForceEmpty.png



if even that fails, like it did for me before. There is one last option. You can Delete your trash can completely, and restart the computer. Once you log back in, a new Trash will be created. Anything you delete before rebooting will be deleted permanently as there is no trash to send it to.

TrashYourTrash.png
 
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