Author Topic: Can't Trash Folder  (Read 2300 times)

Offline jonbnimble

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Can't Trash Folder
« on: July 29, 2003, 11:44:16 AM »
ohmy.gif  I have a folder that I want to remove from my system. Mac iBook (clamshell), OS 9.0.4 - I can drag the folder into Trash but I can't empty this folder from Trash. Option key doesn't do it either. Folder appears to be locked although Info doesn't indicate that.

Offline sandbox

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2003, 12:29:15 PM »
hey jonbnimble , It’s most likely part of something in use, maybe something in the startup folder?
Without knowing what it is it’s hard to say, but I would reboot with Extensions OFF while the folder was in the trash, then empty.

Warning........ if it is a critical part of a application that you use, this may cause a problem. You may find yourself reloading that program later to recover that lost element. wink.gif

Offline jonbnimble

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2003, 01:23:05 PM »
wallbash.gif Sandbox, thanks. I just tried the Ext. Off reboot + empty trash and that didn't work. The folder and its content are not in use. These are graphic images that I no longer need and wish to get off my machine. I've been trying, without success, to get rid of them for about 2 years.

Offline pendragon

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2003, 01:58:52 PM »
Jonbnimble, Since you have been at this two years, and if you have Stuffit Deluxe, the following may be worth a try--

1. Open the Stuffit Deluxe Magic Menu (the icon that is in the menu bar) preferences
2. Click on the Compression option to highlight it
3. Select/enable the "Delete originals after compressing" option
4. Highlight and then stuff the file from hell. It will (or should) be deleted.
5. The newly created stuffed file may then be moved to the trash and the trash emptied.

Well, at least that's the theory.

Good luck and welcome to TS!

Harv
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~ Voltaire

Offline bil207

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2003, 02:00:49 PM »
Try creating another folder in a different location with the same name as the one that you want to delete. Move the original folder from the trash to the desktop and then drag the new folder that you created to the desktop. You should get a dialogue asking if you would like to replace the original,choose yes. Now see if you can deleted the new folder.
Bill

Offline pendragon

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2003, 02:31:59 PM »
More thoughts (guesses)

If you have File Sharing turned on and the Get Info (Show Sharing) indicates the folder/file is: "Can't move, rename, or delete this item", disable that option and /or turn off File Sharing and then see if the folder may be deleted.

Harv
« Last Edit: July 29, 2003, 02:33:12 PM by pendragon »
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~ Voltaire

Offline jonbnimble

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2003, 03:56:52 PM »
upset.gif  bil207, did as you suggested. Didn't work. File seemed to be overwritten but wouldn't leave trash.
 pendragon, checked shared info. That (can't modify, remove, delete) item wasn't checked.
 Another bit of info: file into says "zero K on disk (0 bytes) for 71 items". I read, years ago, something about "phantom" folders on Macs. I think that was the term used. Could this be one of them? I'm going to Apple site to see if I can find that info again.

Offline pendragon

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2003, 05:49:32 PM »
jonbnimble, Can you provide any clues/additional detail/insight as a result of running disk utilities such as DFA, TechToolPro, DiskWarrior, Norton, etc? Or were results all benign?

I'm not sure what I would do with the info, but I am hoping a synapse or two will fire. Or, perhaps the data will be of help to someone else.

I'm beginning to appreciate your frustration...

Harv
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~ Voltaire

Offline bil207

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2003, 06:11:26 PM »
Have you tried starting up from an OS 9.xx cd and emptying the trash?

Harv's suggestion to run a third party disk utility, if you have one, might help.
Bill

Offline jonbnimble

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2003, 06:11:43 PM »
verysad.gif Harv, I didn't mean to ignore your previous suggestion about using Stuffit Deluxe. I don't have it and, right now, I don't want to purchase it. I will keep that in mind for the future though.
I just finished working on the folder with Norton. I tried to "wipe" the file and got the message that "one or more items is locked" so wipe wouldn't complete. There is no indication that any items are locked. I'm giving up for now. Perhaps I'll spring for Stuffit Deluxe one day soon and try that. Thank you, and the others, for your suggestions. Oh, I did go to apple support and found the same suggestions y'all have given me. No help there. Apple had one suggestion of starting up from the original OS disk(s). Now, if I could only remember where I put them  Thinking.gif

Offline jonbnimble

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Can't Trash Folder
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2003, 06:30:33 PM »
bil207, our posts crossed in the ether. I will try from the original CD (when I find it).   thanx.gif