Unable to delete alias file

[TheOriginalKi]

Hello,

I'm new to Mac. Can some one explain why I can't delete these two files?

Even if I click 'Delete Alias' it doesn't work.

It still doesn't work if I delete the rest of the files in the screen shoot.

Thanks

Kieran

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

Probably a permissions issue. Do you know your way around terminal? If so, use it to see what the permissions are. You might find you can just "rm" the alias.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Even if I click 'Delete Alias' it doesn't work."

This suggestion may work, or it may not.

What I'd try to do first:
"Re-direct" the alias file. That is to say, make it "point to" a -different- original, and then see if you can delete the alias.

How to attempt this:
- Click ONE time on the problem alias file to select it.
- Type "command-i" to bring up "Get info"
- About halfway down the window that opens, you will see a button "Select New Original". Click on that.
- You will next see a standard "file selection" dialog. Just select a file (ANY file) to become the "new original" for the problem alias, and click "choose".
- Now close the get info box, drag the problem alias to the trash, and try to empty the trash.

Did that help at all?

 

[TheOriginalKi]

Probably a permissions issue. Do you know your way around terminal? If so, use it to see what the permissions are. You might find you can just "rm" the alias.

I don't really know my way around Terminal just yet but when I get a bit of time tomorrow I'll have a look around. I did try the rm command before however I was unable to drag the file to the Terminal window so it wouldn't work.

----------

"Even if I click 'Delete Alias' it doesn't work."

This suggestion may work, or it may not.

What I'd try to do first:
"Re-direct" the alias file. That is to say, make it "point to" a -different- original, and then see if you can delete the alias.

How to attempt this:
- Click ONE time on the problem alias file to select it.
- Type "command-i" to bring up "Get info"
- About halfway down the window that opens, you will see a button "Select New Original". Click on that.
- You will next see a standard "file selection" dialog. Just select a file (ANY file) to become the "new original" for the problem alias, and click "choose".
- Now close the get info box, drag the problem alias to the trash, and try to empty the trash.

Did that help at all?

'new original' is greyed out =[.

----------

There is now a third problem alias showing as the exact same name. So 3 rather than 2... and originally it was just one. I did reboot earlier so maybe a new alias is created after a reboot. This isn't causing any issues really but it's annoying me and I just don't understand why I can't delete them.

 

[TheOriginalKi]

Probably a permissions issue. Do you know your way around terminal? If so, use it to see what the permissions are. You might find you can just "rm" the alias.

How can I rm the alias if I can't drag it and I don't know where it is located?

 

[TheOriginalKi]

Seems the alias have randomly gone after a few reboots. Ah well at least they are gone! I wont question why.