If you are using OS X...
Five tips: Most assuredly one will work, but first, before going through too much effort: Make sure the file is not locked and that you have Permission to delete that file. But if that (still) doesn't solve the problem-
I. If you can, boot in to OS 9 and try deleting from there.
II. If you have Stuffit Deluxe
1. Open Applications/Stuffit Deluxe/DropStuff.
2. Open the DropStuff 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.
5. The newly created stuffed file may then be moved to the trash.
III. If the above fails, use one of the third party apps specifically designed for cases such as this: BatChmod, Trash It, and Trash X. All of these apps (and a few others) are available at VersionTracker
http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/.
IV. Incomplete Downloads (from Apple Knowledge Base Document 107426)
If the partial file is a download, follow these steps:
These instructions apply to Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, but may be used as a guide if the issue occurs with a different network-based application.
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Choose Window > Download Manager.
3. Select the name of the partially-downloaded file.
4. Press the Delete key. If this does not work, press Command-Delete.
5. Quit Internet Explorer.
You should now be able to delete the file in the Finder.
If the item is any other kind of file, or the above instructions do not work, then follow these steps:
NOTE: if you are apprehensive about the following, I strongly suggest you opt for using one of the third party apps mentioned above.
Warning: These steps include use of the "rm" command. Be sure to type the commands exactly. Misuse of the rm command may result in accidental data loss, up to and including all data on the target disk. To be sure you are reading the commands below correctly, you may copy and paste them into a text editor for verification.
1. Open Terminal.
2. Type: sudo rm -r
Important: You must leave a space following -r, so that it reads "sudo rm -r ". Do not press Return yet.
3. Drag the file's icon into the Terminal window, which will automatically enter the file's pathname.
4. Press Return.
5. Enter your Admin user password when prompted, then press Return.
Note: If the issue persists, quit open applications, which are marked in the Dock with a small triangle (you cannot quit the Finder). Repeat the above steps.
See Apple Knowledge Base Document 106272.
V. And this sometimes works:
1. Create a new file of any kind and size and drag it to the trash, but do not empty the trash.
2. Go to Finder in the Menu Bar and select "Secure Delete."
Harv
