[Curiosity]

I am using Mac OS 10.4.11, and I ran an application which put the entire Macromedia Flash directory into the trash. It contained a locked file, which I took out again, but the system is insisting that that item is still there. In fact, nothing is left in the trash, but if I try to delete a new item, I get an error message afterwards. Is there any way to clear that?

[P]

Most likely there's an invisible file there. Easiest way is to navigate there in the terminal (~/.Trash is where most of the files are, some are in /.Trashes) and remove anything you see. If that doesn't work, try checking your disk in Disk Utility.

[Curiosity]

I did a variation on what you suggested. I trashed the trash into the admin's trash and then restarted. Everything is back to normal. Thanks for the idea.