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parasight · Jul 3, 2004, 07:59 AM

I have a mpeg Quicktime file on my desktop that cannot be deleted (the name of the file i "junk"). When I try to move to the trash it says "file is in use by another application (which may include moving, copying, or emptying the trash)". And I have no other applications running. I've tried logging out, and logging back in. It didn't work. I rebooted and that didn't work. I always get the same message. If anyone knows how I can rid my desktop of this file I would greaty appreciate.

chabig · Jul 3, 2004, 09:26 AM

Try TrashIt!.

Chris

ryju · Jul 3, 2004, 10:18 AM

open the Terminal and type

rm

then drag said-file onto the terminal window, hit return, the end. The file will be removed.

philzilla · Jul 3, 2004, 10:41 AM

even after a reboot? that's weird. i'd want to know why it was doing it, rather than just how to get shut of the file.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 3, 2004, 10:58 AM

Hm. Permissions messed up, perhaps?

Have you repaired permissions through Disk Utility?

parasight · Jul 3, 2004, 06:41 PM

"rm" in the terminal did not work. and using the "trash it" program didn't work either...I ran the disk utility and that didn't work...any more suggestions?

Terri · Jul 3, 2004, 07:26 PM

I have folders, mostly on removable drives, that I have been unable to delete.

Not even sudo rm -rf will remove them.

parasight · Jul 3, 2004, 07:47 PM

if i used the disk that came with my mac to restore it the factory defaults, would that get rid of it?

Spheric Harlot · Jul 4, 2004, 04:48 AM

Originally posted by parasight:
"rm" in the terminal did not work. and using the "trash it" program didn't work either...I ran the disk utility and that didn't work...any more suggestions?

Vigorously scrub the monitor using a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth.

Nexus5 · Jul 4, 2004, 05:46 AM

Originally posted by parasight:
"rm" in the terminal did not work. and using the "trash it" program didn't work either...I ran the disk utility and that didn't work...any more suggestions?

I had the same problem a few weeks ago. No tool and no terminal command was able to delete it. There are files which can not be removed from filesystem. Reformating my HD was the last thing I did.

nexus5,

ryju · Jul 4, 2004, 07:10 AM

What about using "sudo rm?"

And what does the Terminal say when you try using the rm command?

pendragon · Jul 4, 2004, 07:35 AM

Since the above methods did not work, I have little faith these three methods will either. But it may be worth a (desperate) try:

I. Boot in to OS 9 and try deleting from there.

II. Go to Finder in the Menu Bar and use the: Secure Empty Trash.

III. Use Stuffit Deluxe
1. Open Applications/Stuffit Deluxe/DropStuff or MagicMenu.
2. Open the DropStuff or Magic Menu Preferences and select the Options tab.
3. Select/enable the "Delete originals after stuffing" option.
4. Highlight and stuff the file from hell. It will then be deleted. At least that's the theory.
5. The newly created stuffed file may then be moved to the trash.

Terri · Jul 4, 2004, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by ryju:
What about using "sudo rm?"

And what does the Terminal say when you try using the rm command?

% sudo rm -rf /Volumes/Firewire_115/.Trashes/505/Sheila
Password:
rm: /Volumes/Firewire_115/.Trashes/505/Sheila: Directory not empty

Folder seems empty to me
% ls -ln /Volumes/Firewire_115/.Trashes/505/Sheila
%

Tried restarting, running Disk Utility, Disk Warrior. I also have a stuck folder on my iPod's drive.