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gregfripp · Aug 2, 2010, 08:35 AM

I have some big trash.
I tried to get rid of it,but I cant!
It consists of old backups .
I have rerun my OS (10.6) and started again but, even after starting with a brand new disc it STILL shows up.
Can someone tell me how I can get rid of it please?
a frustrated imac user

Snow-i · Aug 2, 2010, 03:50 PM

You mean items in your trash folder?

Whats the error you're getting when you try to remove it?

gregfripp · Aug 3, 2010, 03:46 AM

yes.I mean items in my trash.
the error message I get is 8003
i havent looked it up yet.
thanks for your help

Spheric Harlot · Aug 3, 2010, 04:20 AM

First link when googling "empty trash error 8003":

Apple - Support - Discussions - Empty Trash error -8003 ...

gregfripp · Aug 8, 2010, 07:26 AM

I have tried all the things in the apple suggestions.
but they dont work for me...
any other ideas

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 08:33 AM

TrashIt doesn't work?

neither does Cocktail?

gregfripp · Aug 8, 2010, 11:29 AM

unfortunately cocktail doesnt work either, dammit.
but thanks for your suggestion anyway.
greg

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 11:41 AM

run "sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/*" (without the quotation marks) in your terminal.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 12:05 PM

He's deleting backups from a Time Machine disk.

Removing the .Trashes from his home folder isn't going to do squat.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by gregfripp

unfortunately cocktail doesnt work either, dammit.
but thanks for your suggestion anyway.
greg

And the tip from Vinmar in the sixth post down, using the Terminal, doesn't work either?

Just ignore besson; he didn't read the thread, and Vinmar's instructions will do what besson thought he was suggesting.

Also, if you do what besson suggests and just blindly type that into the Terminal, a single well-placed space will erase ALL your personal data.

Vinmar's instructions are MUCH safer.

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

And the tip from Vinmar in the sixth post down, using the Terminal, doesn't work either?

Just ignore besson; he didn't read the thread, and Vinmar's instructions will do what besson thought he was suggesting.

Also, if you do what besson suggests and just blindly type that into the Terminal, a single well-placed space will erase ALL your personal data.

Vinmar's instructions are MUCH safer.

Are you sure? Some people in the Apple thread reported TrashIt working, which just forces delete of your trash in your home directory, right? It sounds like he dragged his TM backup to his local trash folder, although I could be wrong...

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

TM backup to his local trash folder

I don't think that dragging anything to the Trash has moved files to the Trash directory on ANOTHER DISK at *any* time in Macintosh's 26-year history.

I could be wrong though.

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

I don't think that dragging anything to the Trash has moved files to the Trash directory on ANOTHER DISK at *any* time in Macintosh's 26-year history.

I could be wrong though.

I don't know, I don't think I've ever tried this myself... on a network volume it just deletes the files instantly, I believe. I seem to recall way back in the day removing a drive with stuff in the trash that originated from the drive resulted in that stuff in the trash going away until the disk was reinserted. If this is still the same behavior, maybe the trash folder includes another mount point for files on removable media that is automatically unmounted when you remove the drive?!

Still, deleting the contents of your local trash folder with stuff in it from the removable disk should delete the contents of the removable drive providing your delete command works across multiple partitions/disks, no? What does the -R argument infer to you?

-R Attempt to remove the file hierarchy rooted in each file argument.

It's unclear to me whether "rooted in each file argument" means that it will traverse multiple disks/partitions.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 12:51 PM

Every disk has its own .Trashes directory, and within it, dedicated trash folders named by user ID.

when a disk is unmounted, its Trash is no longer shown in the Finder's Trash, and when it's mounted, whatever is in the Trash folder with the current user's ID is shown in the Dock's Trash icon.

There may be other details and exceptions, but hardly any of this is relevant to the person asking the initial question.

I really wish you'd shut up with confusing and dangerous and INCORRECT UNIX Terminal advice as long as you're OBVIOUSLY NOT EVEN USING A MAC.

And yes, I'm going to keep calling you on this every time I see you doing it.

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 12:56 PM

I wish you'd develop a little emotional maturity to keep yourself from making this a personal affair between us based on your loyalty to the platform, or whatever it is that winds you up.

There was bad advice in both the Apple thread and this thread (including terminal commands), but this doesn't justify the attacks such as accusing me of not using a Mac or telling me to shut up.

Chill.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 12:58 PM

It's rather less about my "loyalty" to the platform than about your complete disregard for it.

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 12:59 PM

Whatever, let's move on... I don't really care enough to want to hash this out with you.

gregfripp · Aug 8, 2010, 01:05 PM

Thank you for all your valuable comments.
Much of it went above my head, I am afraid.
BUT I still have all my trash, and no where near getting it cleared.
Can/should I do something with my Backup disc that may help?
I am still looking for a solution to clearing my trash, please...
Greg

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 01:07 PM

Let me just add that my loyalty is with the users, and with Apple only insofar as they appear to be the only company to realize the importance of working for the users.

It's patently obvious that this thread wouldn't even exist if Apple hadn't ****ed up somewhere down the line.

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by gregfripp

Thank you for all your valuable comments.
Much of it went above my head, I am afraid.
BUT I still have all my trash, and no where near getting it cleared.
Can/should I do something with my Backup disc that may help?
I am still looking for a solution to clearing my trash, please...
Greg

Have you tried the instructions from Vinmar in the sixth reply to the Apple Discussion thread I linked to above?

gregfripp · Aug 8, 2010, 01:09 PM

I am still trying to find a way to clear my trash!
Greg

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 01:10 PM

gregfripp: what was the result of what both Spheric and I suggested you do?

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 01:11 PM

HAVE YOU TRIED THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM VINMAR IN THE SIXTH REPLY TO THE APPLE DISCUSSION THREAD I LINKED TO ABOVE?

Apple - Support - Discussions - Empty Trash error -8003 ...

gregfripp · Aug 8, 2010, 01:20 PM

I tried all your suggestions, but nothing worked.
The rubbish just sits in the trash unfortunately
Greg

angelmb · Aug 8, 2010, 02:09 PM

I usually rely on MainMenu, it has the option to "Empty All Trash", and "Secure Empty All Trash", not just the one from the disk where your OS X is actually installed.

besson3c · Aug 8, 2010, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

I usually rely on MainMenu, it has the option to "Empty All Trash", and "Secure Empty All Trash", not just the one from the disk where your OS X is actually installed.

What happens when there is trash that belongs to a removable volume that is not mounted?

Spheric Harlot · Aug 8, 2010, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

I usually rely on MainMenu, it has the option to "Empty All Trash", and "Secure Empty All Trash", not just the one from the disk where your OS X is actually installed.

How is that different from what the Finder does?

angelmb · Aug 8, 2010, 11:39 PM

SH, I can't tell (don't expect a techie answer from me). Just that when for any reason the Finder can't empty the Trash, MainMenu does the trick.

reader50 · Aug 9, 2010, 02:06 AM

Try running a Disk Utility scan of the drive the trash is on. If there is directory damage, it may not be possible for the Trash to be emptied on that disk.

It might be useful to check for Console log entries from when you try to empty the trash.

gregfripp · Aug 9, 2010, 08:47 AM

thanks to all of you who helped me with this problem.
Mainmenu worked for me.
After quite a long wait, it hiccuped and quit.
Then, after restarting, it finally WORKED and my trash had gone - finally!
I really appreciate you help with this problem.
I am still investigating all the things that Mainmenu can do, but it really does clear trash!
macnn is certainly the place to come to if you have a problem.
thanks again guys,
Greg