I tried every fix I could find but nothing worked. The only thing that did work was to reformat MacOSX from the install disc. It kept all of my original apps and settings. Then, I was able to empty the trash bin. Kind of a drastic solution but it worked. Guess I won't try to delete any more Time...
Looks like I fixed the problem. I deleted the audio files within Library > Preferences > Audio, which reset them upon the next startup. It also changed some other non-related settings, which I quickly adjusted. But it fixed the problem. (I read that the OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.2 update caused this...
Have brand new MBP 17". Sound bar is on max when MPB boots up. I can manually lower it, but then it's on max again when computer starts up again. Is this normal? I have had other MBPs before and this didn't happen. I also reset disc permissions, and all options using Onyx, no change. Thanks.