Trash Won't Empty

[robastewart]

Attempt to empty trash securely. Consistently get message asking if want to delete locked items or unlocked items only? Either selection, the deletion halts about three seconds into the process. When starting to empty, the status bar indicates over 1,400 files. What needs to be done to empty the trash?

Thank you.

 

[Dane D.]

Attempt to empty trash securely. Consistently get message asking if want to delete locked items or unlocked items only? Either selection, the deletion halts about three seconds into the process. When starting to empty, the status bar indicates over 1,400 files. What needs to be done to empty the trash?

Thank you.

Hold the Option-key down while selecting Empty Trash, should be able to delete locked items.

 

[robastewart]

Thanks for your suggestion. Tried it, but no go. The process gets a little further along, but then halts. No change in trash bin.

 

[Peace]

Try shift-option

 

[robastewart]

Seems to do somewhat better using shift-option, but still don't get an empty trashcan. The process continues to halt. When restarted, it shows fewer files to delete, and moves a little faster, then halts. On the next restart, it shows a number of files remains closer to the original number, seems to be emptying just fine, then halts. This goes on over and over. Still have a basket full of trash.

 

[GGJstudios]

You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
Solving Trash Problems

 

[robastewart]

Thanks for the links to helps. From the first link, had already tried some of the tactics, but not the one using Terminal. Gave it a shot. And another. And another. Process still halts after appearing to empty several hundred files.

Your second link won't open.

 

[driftless]

I had the same problem, have you recently migrated from a Windows platform?

 

[dwarnecke11]

This has happened to me a few times. A restart clears it up every time.

 

[munkery]

Try relaunching Finder.

menu -> Force Quit -> select Finder -> click Relaunch.

 

[thumpcbd]

Try this,

1. Open a terminal window
2. Type cd /
3. Type rm -fr
4. It's all deleted now, hope you have a backup.

(And if you really do that you're entire HD will be blank)

 

[basher]

This has happened to me a few times. A restart clears it up every time.

This always has worked for me. Like a good friend of mine tells me, "a reboot can solve a lot of issues."

 

[robastewart]

Thanks for the suggestions, but relaunching finder does not work. And I don't want to erase the HD, just remove a few months of backups from an external drive.

 

[driftless]

I asked this before: are these files a recent transfer from a windows computer?

 

[robastewart]

No, these files originated on my IMac. I've deleted backups this way on the machine before. It's just this recent attempt that has met failure.

 

[driftless]

OK, I had that problem after transferring a PC to a Mac and ended up calling Apple for advice. Calling Apple is always a good idea if you have AppleCare.

 

[robastewart]

OK, I had that problem after transferring a PC to a Mac and ended up calling Apple for advice. Calling Apple is always a good idea if you have AppleCare.

Yes, I have AppleCare, and probably ought invoke it to rectify this problem. But I'm stubborn about trying to fix something myself, first. Thanks for your helpful input.

 

[derbothaus]

Why don't you just start deleting a few directories at a time till you find the offender? Then force down r/w permissions for Everyone.

Then:
rmdir -rf
for folder
or
rm -rf
for file.

in ~/.Trash.

 

[xraydoc]

Download and install Onyx. In there is an option to force-empty the trash. Highly recommended app.