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Problems emptying trashcan.

T

Tacos!

macrumors member
Original poster
Hi guys,
I have problems emptying my trashcan. The files inside are certain "locked" files... Every time I try and empty it, it asks me to hit the option and then empty it. I do, and it shows it emptying, but it freezes. Every time I try to unlock the folder it ends up locking itself again. The files are "Internet Explorer 22-30-00". Inside is a folder called "Quicklaunch" with 5 files in it. These are:
desktop.ini
iTunes.lnk
Mozilla Firefox.lnk
Show Desktop.scf
Trillian.lnk

I'm running 10.5.2
Please help me, this is very annoying!

Thanks!
Justin
 
I can't think of what it might be, but why do you even have Trillian and Internet Explorer-related things in your trash on your Mac in the first place?
 
Try restaring the computer, as that will kill the process connected to those files, then empty the trash.

TEG
 
dpaanlka said:
I can't think of what it might be, but why do you even have Trillian and Internet Explorer-related things in your trash on your Mac in the first place?
Click to expand...

I don't know... I had IE installed for one thing, and then i tried to delete it. I don't use trillian

andy.barron said:
have you tried 'secure empty trash'? This should do it.
Click to expand...

Several times.

TEG said:
Try restaring the computer, as that will kill the process connected to those files, then empty the trash.

TEG
Click to expand...

Tried that, didn't work.
cmcbridejr said:
Download and install a program called MainMenu.

Then, force empty Trash with that program.
Click to expand...
Tried it, didnt work.


Thanks guys, keep em coming!
 
Put them in a folder called Trash on your desktop, then type the following into [guide]Terminal[/guide]:

Code: 
rm -rf ~/Desktop/Trash/*
And press return. If that doesn't work try:

Code: 
sudo rm -rf ~/Desktop/Trash/*

You'll need your admin password though.

Make sure you are careful when you type this stuff in so you don't delete any of your other files.
 
Tacos! said:
Thanks guys, keep em coming!
Click to expand...

try this: take all the files in your trash and put them in a folder. then name the folder anything you want, but end with .zip

it will ask if you want to add the extension - click ok. then put the folder in your trash and empty the trash as normal.

weird solution, but it has always worked for me.
 
LeMacK said:
try this: take all the files in your trash and put them in a folder. then name the folder anything you want, but end with .zip

it will ask if you want to add the extension - click ok. then put the folder in your trash and empty the trash as normal.

weird solution, but it has always worked for me.
Click to expand...

My suggestion will work, but try this first as its safer as it doesn't need the command line.
 
Eraserhead said:
Put them in a folder called Trash on your desktop, then type the following into [guide]Terminal[/guide]:

Code: 
rm -rf ~/Desktop/Trash/*
And press return. If that doesn't work try:

Code: 
sudo rm -rf ~/Desktop/Trash/*

You'll need your admin password though.

Make sure you are careful when you type this stuff in so you don't delete any of your other files.
Click to expand...

Nope, refuses to work. It asks for password, i don't have one so i just type nothing in, and it shows no response. Even if i do move it to the desktop, a copy remains in the trashcan.

LeMacK said:
try this: take all the files in your trash and put them in a folder. then name the folder anything you want, but end with .zip

it will ask if you want to add the extension - click ok. then put the folder in your trash and empty the trash as normal.

weird solution, but it has always worked for me.
Click to expand...

Doesn't work, claims I don't have "permissions" yet I am admin

Keep 'em coming!
 
Tacos! said:
Doesn't work, claims I don't have "permissions" yet I am admin

Keep 'em coming!
Click to expand...

you could try this instead: open each of the locked files using TextEdit, then add a line or two of random text and then click save (NOT save as)

put the files back in trash and empty as usual.

the idea here is to make it so OS X won't recognize the files properly any more, and thus will let you delete them.
 
LeMacK said:
you could try this instead: open each of the locked files using TextEdit, then add a line or two of random text and then click save (NOT save as)

put the files back in trash and empty as usual.

the idea here is to make it so OS X won't recognize the files properly any more, and thus will let you delete them.
Click to expand...

It doesn't let me save over them, it claims i don't have the "permissions". It also wont move from the recycyle bin to anywhere, it simple makes a copy of what i have and moves it to where I want it to.

These are great idea's though, keep them coming!
 
Tacos! said:
Nope, refuses to work. It asks for password, i don't have one so i just type nothing in, and it shows no response. Even if i do move it to the desktop, a copy remains in the trashcan.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't give any response, that's how Unix works. Are you sure you move it out of the trash can and didn't leave a copy there?

EDIT: In general it is worth having an admin password, even if you have automatic login.
 
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