Can't empty trash when external drive is attached

JSlusser · #1 March 14th, 2008, 05:03 PM

I know this will sound very weird, but I cannot empty a LOCKED MUSIC file in my trash can, which only appears when my Western Digital external drive is connected. Holding down Option does not work either. If I eject my WD external hard drive, the trash can goes back to "empty." Does anyone know how I can fix this?? It's driving me NUTS!! There is a "recovery" file on the WD drive that says "Recycled" and there's a locked file in there titled "Dj68" - I tried to delete the entire "recycled" file but my Mac won't let me. I plugged it in to my PC to delete it and the file disappears. Any one have any suggestions???? Thank you! Janet

ElDiabloConCaca · #2 March 15th, 2008, 02:16 PM

1) Connect the external drive.
2) Drag the locked file out of the trash and back onto the external drive.
3) Do a "Get Info" on the file (highlight the file and press command-i)
4) Uncheck the "Locked" checkbox in the Get Info window.
5) Put the file back in the trash
6) Empty trash.

That should work. You may even be able to do a "Get Info" on the file while it's still in the trash and unlock it that way, as well.

JSlusser · #3 March 15th, 2008, 08:07 PM

I've tried that - when I drag it out of the trash can, it will only "COPY" to the desktop. And when I hit "get info" on the file in the trash can to "unlock" it, the box will not "uncheck." I appreciate your help!! =)

CJ MAC OSX IPOD · #4 March 16th, 2008, 05:16 AM

Shredder

This should work. Deletes everything

ElDiabloConCaca · #5 March 16th, 2008, 01:46 PM

Since the file is on an external drive, copying it to your Desktop (which is located on your internal hard drive) will copy it (because dragging a file between physical volumes always copies)... but if you drag the file back explicitly to the external hard drive, it should move it.

Also, check the "Permissions" section of the "Get Info" window... do you have read/write privileges on the file?

ziomatrixacs · #6 March 16th, 2008, 03:00 PM

Put the files you want to delete in the trash. Then open the trash folder, hold Option while you click file, empty trash. This by passes the "you can not delete this because it is hidden or locked" stuff

ElDiabloConCaca · #7 March 17th, 2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSlusser

Holding down Option does not work either.

Looks like they've tried that already...

Kees Buijs · #8 March 17th, 2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSlusser

I've tried that - when I drag it out of the trash can, it will only "COPY" to the desktop. And when I hit "get info" on the file in the trash can to "unlock" it, the box will not "uncheck." I appreciate your help!! =)

If you are up to it, you can also use the TERMINAL to delete files. This is a bit more dangerous, but very effective and will TRASH any file there is to be trashed, whatever the permissions are (if you make yourself root user).

If you want a description, we can give it.

Good luck, Kees