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rigger · Jan 22, 2003, 06:41 PM

About ready to reformat this drive. X has taken over my computer. Try to trash some items, It wont let me. Call apple on my apple care deal. They tell me to type in some sudo rm rf whatever that doesent work. Tell me they will send me a file on how to log in as root. What in gods name is going on. I am only using x for 1 week, OS9 3 yrs, I want my computer back.

wataru · Jan 22, 2003, 06:48 PM

You clearly have a lot to learn about OS X.

Lesson 1: Use descriptive thread titles.

Lesson 2: For your own safety, you are not granted access to a lot of files on your system. Apple tried to tell you how to get that access, but you clearly didn't follow directions, or you gave up prematurely.

Look back at what Apple told you and try it again. Pay attention to details.

rigger · Jan 22, 2003, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by wataru:
You clearly have a lot to learn about OS X.

Lesson 1: Use descriptive thread titles.

Lesson 2: For your own safety, you are not granted access to a lot of files on your system. Apple tried to tell you how to get that access, but you clearly didn't follow directions, or you gave up prematurely.

Look back at what Apple told you and try it again. Pay attention to details.

Apple and I did it together the sudo stuff did not work they said it must be a corrupted file.You have to log in as root. and they will send me a file by email. that never got here they must have a three year old address.

wataru · Jan 22, 2003, 07:35 PM

Oh ok so you executed the command correctly, but it failed to delete the file. I thought you just couldn't get the command to go right.

You could boot in OS 9 and try to delete the file.

Here's how you log in as root:
1. Open NetInfo Manager in /Applications/Utilities.
2. Choose "Authenticate" under the Security menu. Enter your password.
3. Choose "Enable root user" in the Security menu.
4. I forget if it asks you to change the root password or not. If it doesn't, then do it yourself (same menu).
5. Log out.
6. Click "other" or whatever it is in the list of users. Log in as username "root" and password whatever you set.

Delete the file, then immediately log out and log back in as your normal account. Disable root user, as leaving it enabled is a security liability.

Maflynn · Jan 23, 2003, 06:01 AM

I guess if your going to reformat the drive why do you need to trash some folders, reformattting will take care of it.

Mike

Axo1ot1 · Jan 23, 2003, 06:33 AM

Don't give up on OS X after only a week. I took to it like a fish to water, but some people are a bit more resistant to change. A quick search at versiontracker turned up 16 little free utilities for getting rid of tough files. Don't go back to 9, it seriously limits your computers future-compatibility. I guarantee once you hit your stride you will love OS X.

Terri · Jan 23, 2003, 06:51 AM

I had the same thing happen to me. Even logging in as root didn't allow me to delete the files. I finally gave up and booted into 9 to delete the files.

It hasn't happened to me since and I think it had something to do with them being very old files that were created on old systems.

SirCastor · Jan 23, 2003, 11:17 AM

What are you trying to throw out?
Where is it located?
What is the error message you are getting when you try to move it to the trash?

Xeo · Jan 23, 2003, 01:41 PM

You can't delet it if it's locked. It's a feature of HFS+ that even Unix can't overcome. Make sure the file isn't locked.