Trash won't empty, rm -R won't work

[idkew]

I am trying to empty my trash on en external drive.

I tried cocktail's for empty- no luck

I tried rm - no luck

I tried rmdir - no luck

here is the prompt of what I get in a rm -R

CPU:/Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026 name$ rm -r  /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/*
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/08: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/11: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/12: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/13: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/15: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02/28: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/02: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002/03: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2002: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2003/01/30: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2003/01: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h/2003: Directory not empty
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/h: Directory not empty

any idea what the problem is? it is really annoying.

 

[idkew]

now i get this when i try to do one file at a time:

CPU:/Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026 name$ rm -r  /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/*
rm: /Volumes/Platter/.Trashes/1026/IMG_0802.JPG: Invalid argument

 

[grapes911]

Did you try a reboot?

If that doesn't work, try adding the force argument:
rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

 

[truz]

su into root and then give the command a try.

 

[superwoman]

You should use "sudo rm -rf"

 

[M-theory]

You should use "sudo rm -rf"

to the OP, CAUTION: this is a very dangerous command, make sure you have backed up before typing, and make sure you are in the correct directory, once you type it, forget the command and move on...

 

[balamw]

This is probably NOT the problem, but is something that those not used to unix can often miss.

Remember that, unlike windows, the shell will expand your * before it executes your command. So say the directory you want to empty contains the following files and folders.

./.hidden file
./.dotdir/1.txt
./.dotdir/2.txt
./file.jpg
./dir/file.doc
./dir/file.ppt

When you run 'sudo rm -rf *' in that directory that expands to 'sudo rm -rf file.jpg dir' but the dotfiles are not matched. The first three files will not be affected by the command. You also generally do not want to run 'sudo rm -rf * .*' since that will generally include '.' and '..' and you probably wanted to keep '..'

When using rm -rf, it is safest to point it at a single directory at a time.

i.e. 'sudo rm -rf .'

B

 

[dr_lha]

Actually the command you need is:

sudo rm -fr /








NOTE: JUST KIDDING - DON'T DO THIS AS YOU WILL WIPE YOUR HARD DRIVE!!!!!

 

[M-theory]

This is probably NOT the problem, but is something that those not used to unix can often miss.

Remember that, unlike windows, the shell will expand your * before it executes your command. So say the directory you want to empty contains the following files and folders.

./.hidden file
./.dotdir/1.txt
./.dotdir/2.txt
./file.jpg
./dir/file.doc
./dir/file.ppt

When you run 'sudo rm -rf *' in that directory that expands to 'sudo rm -rf file.jpg dir' but the dotfiles are not matched. The first three files will not be affected by the command. You also generally do not want to run 'sudo rm -rf * .*' since that will generally include '.' and '..' and you probably wanted to keep '..'

When using rm -rf, it is safest to point it at a single directory at a time.

i.e. 'sudo rm -rf .'

B

thank you for the 'better' answer, your explanation is very clear and helpful.

 

[M-theory]

Actually the command you need is:

sudo rm -fr /








NOTE: JUST KIDDING - DON'T DO THIS AS YOU WILL WIPE YOUR HARD DRIVE!!!!!

...then don't post this stuff...not something you want to 'kid' about.

 

[balamw]

thank you for the 'better' answer, your explanation is very clear and helpful.

Note that I really don't think this is the OP's problem, just one that can often create unnecessary confusion, and it is pertinent since various posters included "*" in their solutions.

Personally, I like to use variations like "sudo rm `find . -type f -print`" to wipe out all the files in a folder leaving the folder structure intact.

B

 

[dr_lha]

...then don't post this stuff...not something you want to 'kid' about.

Spoilsport.

 

[M-theory]

Note that I really don't think this is the OP's problem, just one that can often create unnecessary confusion, and it is pertinent since various posters included "*" in their solutions.

Personally, I like to use variations like "sudo rm `find . -type f -print`" to wipe out all the files in a folder leaving the folder structure intact.

B

Again, excellent point, there are great things gained by having a BSD based OS, but also dangers...and yes, the "*" is dangerous.

 

[Togglehead]

mmmm BSD.....*drools*

 

[idkew]

thanks for the replies.

I did try sudo prior to my post. no luck there.

i ran disk utility and found my directory is screwed yet agian. diskwarrior agrees. not fixable.

i think the hardware striped raid is a ppor implimentation on my external drive (2x250gb)

i will backup all i can and reformat with a software raid.

unless there are more ideas.

 

[idkew]

When using rm -rf, it is safest to point it at a single directory at a time.

i.e. 'sudo rm -rf .'

B

i did try that, i was just trying all options. * was my last.