How do I stop Secure Empty Trash process on Tiger?

[starburst]

Hi, newbie here. I searched the forum threads and couldn't find anything on this, apologies in advance if I missed it.

Like an idiot, I started "secure empty trash" and trashed some folders that are massive. The computer is getting hot (MacBook Pro 1st gen) and there are a lot - as in thousands - of files to go. I tried stopping the process, shutting down, and it wouldn't let me. Does anyone know how to do this?

I'm running OSX 4.11.

I know this was dumb. Did it right after a physical therapy appointment while multitasking and I wasn't thinking straight.

 

[angelwatt]

You can open Activity Monitor and find the process. You can order by CPU usage to find the highest usage. Then, once found, you can quit the process. There's some potential about corrupting the HD, but it's a small chance. I've had to kill it in the past too because I didn't realize I had something big in there.

 

[starburst]

Thanks! I'll give that a try.