Cannot delete file: The operation can't be completed because the item "DataReferences" is in use.

I have a My Book TB Drive where all of my Time Machine backups go to. I decided to delete some older version of backups. They ended up in my trash can. When I deleted the items in my trash can, all of them erased with the exception of one file. This file refuses to go! I have tried "Empty Trash", "Secure Empty Trash" and holding the Option Key + "Secure Empty Trash". Each time the I get the following error: The operation can’t be completed because the item “DataReferences” is in use.
If I unplug the My Book TB Drvie, the file dissapears from the trash can. If I plug it back in, it reappears.
I am not sure what to do anymore. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
MacMini
Mountain Lion (Error originated in OS X)
My Book TB (External Hard Drive)

I found an article on how to allow third party apps. Posted it below just in case if anyone is interested.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/your-security-preferences-allow-i nstallation-only-apps-mac-app-store-and-identified-developers-12789/
Anyhow, I was able to do the double click on the trash it.I tried the "fast" version and the "really stuck" version and unfortunately, none of the options worked.
Any other suggestions?

Similar Messages

  • Cannot backup my files / copy my files and folders due to error message " The operation can't be completed because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists. "

    Hi Apple community!
    I have a [rather worrying] problem.
    When I try to copy all my files from my documents on my mac [or the entire documents folder] into an external drive, I get this error message
    " The operation can’t be completed because an item with the name “.DS_Store” already exists. "
    I am not given an option to skip this file or anything else.
    But I simply cannot complete the operation!
    I have tried deleting a few of the .ds_store files, [both in the original and in the destinations]
    but no success.
    The same thing keeps happening.
    At first, this was just happening when I was trying to backup to my dropbox folder [the one on my mac's harddrive, which gets synced to the cloud],
    but then I tried to back up my documents to my external hard drive, and I realized it is giving me the same error message.
    So effectively, it seems I cannot backup my files anywhere!
    Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you.

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches. 
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and  Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • Trying to delete file from trash but get this: The operation can't be completed because the item "File name" is in use. All other files delete except this one. Please help

    Trying to delete file from trash but get this: The operation can’t be completed because the item “File name” is in use. All other files delete except this one. Please help

    Maybe some help here:
    http://osxdaily.com/2012/07/19/force-empty-trash-in-mac-os-x-when-file-is-locked -or-in-use//

  • The operation can't be completed because the original item cannot be found.

    Hi all.
    I've been having this problem for a while. I have a file server on a windows xp system with multiple drives attached to that pc (internal and external).
    When I try mounting one of them from the finder I get the message :
    +*The operation can’t be completed because the original item for “Movies” can’t be found.*+
    Other drives on the pc mount just fine and actually the problematic one used to mount fine and then suddenly it seems that the mac lost the path to the disk and can no longer find it.
    I tried reformating the drive, changing the drive letter, and naming. It worked for a while then the drive got lost again
    Its a WD drive formatted to ntfs (Identical configs and brand to all the other working drives) Its not a drive defect either. Its happened more than once.
    I'm quite knowledgable when it comes to computers but this has been a dead end for me and I'm sure for others as well.
    Please Help

    I was about to post exactly this question. I have suddenly lost access to the folder on my shared network drive although the drive itself is still visible. I get the above error message when trying to open folders within. I have tried connecting through various routes such as Go - Connect to server ... but its the same.
    A discussion thread elsewhere talked about deleting multiple share point entries ... over my head though.
    Hope someone out there knows the answer - and how to explain it in plain english

  • Problems copying iTunes folder to an external hard drive - "The operation can't be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use"

    Hi,
    I have been trying to back up my iTunes folder from my MacBook hard drive over to a new LaCie external hard drive.  However, whenever I try to do it at some point during the copying I keep getting the warning "The operation can’t be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use".  Each time I have tried it, it is always a different file name that comes up and at different points of the copying.  Following the warning, the copying stops and cannot be restarted.
    I tried copying the iTunes folder to another Lacie external hard drive that I have, and it worked fine so I am guessing that it maybe something wrong with the hard drive.
    I've been trying various approaches all day and can't seem to get anywhere with it - all very frustrating, so any help would be much appreciated!
    Thanks.

    If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

  • Can't copy file to network drive as "The operation can't be completed because the [Filename] is in use

    Following upgrade to Yosemite I now can't copy files from iMac to my network HDD in external media center. I have iMac connected by wi-fi to airport extreme and media center connected to airport extreme by cable. I can see the HDD as a network drive on my iMac and can initiate the copy but right when copy process is finished I see "The operation can’t be completed because the [Filename] is in use". I am trying to copy different media files downloaded from internet which are not used by any program and stored on my hard drive. I actually can copy small files of 1mb and it works but anything above 20mb is halted. I can also move/copy/delete the file on iMac. Cant understand the nature of the problem. I tried to format external HDD as EXT2/EXT3/NTFS but same outcome.
    OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 | iMac late 2009 | Apple Airport Extreme | Dune HD Base 3D mediacenter

    Have you tried a restart or logging out/in?
    Some more ideas.
    Re: The operation can’t be completed because the item “ " is in use.

  • The operation can't be completed because some items had to be skipped. For each item, choose File Get Info, make sure "Locked" is deselected, and then check t

    The following error comes up when I try to install the updated Firefox:
    "The operation can’t be completed because some items had to be skipped. For each item, choose File > Get Info, make sure “Locked” is deselected, and then check the Sharing & Permissions section. When you are sure the items are unlocked and not designated as Read Only or No Access, try again."
    When I follow the instructions in the error message, it shows that my user name has read and write access. There are a couple other items that are read only. I tried to change this to read and write, but the Sharing and Permissions options are greyed out and will not let me change them. What is the work around for this? I would really like to install the new firefox.
    Thanks.

    Hello,
    Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a ''Clean reinstall''. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:
    '''Note:''' You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.
    #Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org and save the setup file to your computer.
    #After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (click Exit from the Firefox or File menu).
    #Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default('''This will NOT delete profile info such as bookmarks and history'''):
    #*'''Windows:'''
    #**C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
    #**C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    #*'''Mac:''' Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
    #*'''Linux:''' If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see [[Installing Firefox on Linux]]. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop Firefox download page], simply remove the folder ''firefox'' in your home directory.
    #Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
    ##Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    ##Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.
    Please report back to see if this helped you!
    Thank you.

  • All My Files:The operation can't be completed because the item can't be found.

    After update my Imac to Yosemite I found my trash bin filled and deleted the files. Starting my iMac took about a minute and All My Files in finder is not working anymore, responding : The operation can’t be completed because the item can’t be found.
    I tried restart but still no solution.

    Dear all,
    I again downloaded OS Yosemite  through the App store under purchases and I am happy to say I solved the problem!
    Ben

  • Iomega UltraMax 4Q PLUS the following message appears: The operation can not be completed because the item "FILE NAME" is in use. "

    Help, I need to solve. No speculation please bomas or attempts to restart, confirm that the HD is formatted for MAC and etc. .....
    Whenever I try to copy my files from my HDD Western Digital 2T for my new Iomega UltraMax 4Q PLUS the following message appears: The operation can not be completed because the item "FILE NAME" is in use. "
    I can not stand it anymore ...
    I need to work and not temnho more space on my machine.
    Scenario - iMac11, 10.6.8 + WD + 2 + 2T 4T Iomega UltraMax Plus, formatted for both Mac and connected via Firewire 800
    Trying to copy the message aborts the copy - "The operation can not be completed because the item" FILE NAME "is in use."

    Hello,
    As I said earlier, properly formatted for Mac.
    Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    This HD is formatted for MAC factory, but I even did a few times in my attempts I can say that this is entirely correct formattingwith it - Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

  • Cannot empty trash: "The operation can't be completed because the item ...

    I've been having trouble emptying the trash. I get the following error, "The operation can’t be completed because the item "_file name_" is in use."
    I've tried unlocking the files, but the unlock doesn't seem to stick.
    I'm not sure if this is related, but a couple of months ago, I had a repair done and since then some of my software have required me to enter my license information again; apparently it looked as if I was running the programs on a different machine.
    Anyone have tips/solns?

    Thank you!
    I ended up sticking the startup disc in, restarting while holding down the "c" key, and "using the Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs function of the Reset Paswoord function of the Utilities menu."
    It worked perfectly; I now have an empty trash can.

  • Can't move files - The operation can't be completed because the item is in use.

    Hi everyone,
    I'm trying to move some files off an external hard drive to my macbook pro. These are mostly video files.
    However, there's a handful of files which are causing the following error:
    "The operation can’t be completed because the item “XXX” is in use."
    I've no idea what's wrong but would appriaicte some help. All the previous threads I can find with the same error are related to moving items to the trash and I actually followed some of the advice (shutting down etc) but it still didn't help.
    Thanks anyone and everyone for the assistance.
    James

    I was investigating this same problem on our iMac running OS 10.10. When I checked Activity Monitor for the DiskUnmountWatcher process, I noticed that with two users logged in simultaneously, there were two instances of most of the system processes, including that one. If I logged out of the other user account, and consequently only had one instance of the DiskUnmountWatcher process running, I was able to copy multiple files onto the network drive with no problem.
    If I were to speculate, I'd probably guess that DiskUnmountWatcher is adding some metadata to new files when it detects them being added to a mounted drive. If there are two instances of the process running, they both try to modify the file's metadata simultaneously and generate errors.
    TL;DR: If you encounter this problem, try logging out all users other than the one trying to move files.

  • "The operation can't be completed because the disk is full" when trying to compress files

    Trying to compress my files because my computer keeps saying that my startup disk is almost full. However, when I try to compress my files, I get an error that reads "The operation can't be completed because the disk is full." Does anyone know why this is happening? Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

    Yes. You are trying to create more files taking up more space on the computer. Compressing files only reduces disk space used after you remove the uncompressed file.
    Freeing Up Space on The Hard Drive
      1. See Lion/Mountain Lion's Storage Display.
      2. You can remove data from your Home folder except for the /Home/Library/ folder.
      3. Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on freeing up space on your hard drive.
      4. Also see Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk.
      5. See Where did my Disk Space go?.
      6. See The Storage Display.
    You must Empty the Trash in order to recover the space they occupied on the hard drive.
    You should consider replacing the drive with a larger one. Check out OWC for drives, tutorials, and toolkits.
    Try using OmniDiskSweeper 1.8 or GrandPerspective to search your drive for large files and where they are located.

  • The operation can't be completed because the item "folder name" is in use

    Hi everyone,
    I think this is quite a common issue but I don't find it really easy to find a solution.
    I have a folder containing a folder and no files on a server that I cannot delete, for the life of me.
    Whether I use shortcuts or drag the main folder to the bin, I have the same result "The operation can't be completed because the item "secondary folder name" is in use". This folder is just 1 year old so, obviously, I have restarted the computer more than once since then which means that the folder is NOT in use.
    I'd like to clean up a bit and remove some stuff and this is bugging!
    Hope someone can help me.
    Thanks in advance!

    If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

  • Problems accessing time capsule data "The operation can't be completed because the original [...]"

    So as my title would suggest, I'm having time capsule issues.
    First of all, I'm running a MBPret late 2013. Currently I'm trying to setup my time capsule in my university dorm room for two reasons:
    1) I want to use the internet they provide us.
    2) I want to use time capsule as a backup drive.
    I am not permitted to use wifi as per my contract with the university, unfortunate, but fine, I can use ethernet, I have the ethernet -> thunderbolt adapter.
    Now, thus far, I've setup my time capsule normally (this is second setup not the first) and I performed a hard reset before connecting it all here. Before here it was setup at my previous house. After that I disabled the wireless and enabled secure shared disks "with device password".
    I don't have internet access yet, though I believe this is a problem on the administrator side not mine, but the real problem is that I cannot access the data folder on my time capsule in finder. I've tried erasing the volume, hard resetting and setting up again, I keep getting the same error message:
    "The operation can’t be completed because the original item for "Data" can't be found"
    Any suggestions?
    Regards

    If you don't have applecare you will need to pay if you want the genuine article but your problem is familiar and Apple support is likely to say your the first person they have ever heard of with this problem.. even when every second post here refers to it.
    Here is my standard list. Work through it and tell me if you succeed.
    The cause is Yosemite btw.
    A factory reset of the TC is the start.. it is required so you can find it again.
    Factory reset universal
    Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
    N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
    Setup the TC again.
    ie Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
    Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
    1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
    eg TCgen5 and TCwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
    Even better if the issue is more wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round.
    2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
    3. Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking. If the TC is main router it will not be an issue.
    4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
    5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
    In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
    Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
    You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
    However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
    6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
    There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
    You might need to do some more work on the laptop itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
    Tell us how you go.
    Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
    Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
    Start from the bottom and work up.. I have a list of good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
    This user has had success and a few others as well.
    RáNdÓm GéÉzÁ
    Yosemite has serious DNS bug in the networking application.. here is the lets say more arcane method of fixing it by doing a network transplant from mavericks.
    http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

  • Data folder can not be opened in finding " AirPort Time Capsule " The operation can not be completed because the original item for " data" does not exist .

    Hi
    I have a " AirPort Time Capsule " (firmware 7.7.3) When I try to open the data folder in "finder". Then I got the message  " The operation can not be completed because the original item for " data" does not exist". I have a lot of data and I can understand why I get this message?
    Anyone who can help? Thanks..
    Br. Bo

    Get a USB drive of 2TB or more.. assuming your TC is 2TB. Either preformatted Mac or plug into your Mac and format it standard Mac OS Extended Journaled in disk utility.
    Do a full archive of the TC. You do this using airport utility. Do not click the erase disk.. I marked in green.. just the archive.. that is to backup the internal disk to the USB disk. It is not fast.. take it that the process will go at around 40-50GB/hr.
    Once you complete the archive .. it is a direct image of the data on your TC.. you can then plug it into your computer directly.. and then try and open the files you lost.. if you cannot open them.. open disk utility and fix the permissions.
    http://osxdaily.com/2015/01/13/repair-disk-permissions-mac-os-x/
    Or try the methods apple recommends..
    OS X Yosemite: Set permissions for items on your Mac
    It is possible to fix things on the USB drive because it is locally mounted.. but you cannot fix it on TC which is network drive.

Maybe you are looking for

  • How can I call multiple records(40) at same time as webservice ?

    Hi All   My scenario is some thing like calling SOAP(Webservice) to Rfc(BAPI)   Thing is how can i call multiple records at the same time using the SOAP    adapter i.e i need to make a request to BAPI and in the BAPI response    based on the fields,

  • Unable to open any website in safari on mac

    Hi I am unable to open any website in safari on mac. when i checked Console messages application on mac i got below mentioned errors. Safari [224] Loading Cosmopad and performing license key validation Safari [224] DWVersion Checker load Safari [224]

  • SAP report

    Hello Gurus We have populated our Legacy Asset no in one of the filed in Asset Master data. This field is in ORIGIN Tab by the name "Type Name". I want to extract the report based on Legacy Asset no for all APC and Dep values to validate the data. Ca

  • I turn off the phone will not turn to dear, I need the photos...

    I turn off the phone will not turn to dear, I need the photos emergencies because there I have very important information. That I can do to recover photos. I understand that you had downloaded the iCloud but when I Icloud not appear on photos.

  • H.263??

    Hi, I really confuse with this: I want to transmit a video over RTP, I'm using the "Transmitting and Receiving RTP over Custom Transport Layer" example of the sun, but I need reduce the package to be transmit because I'm using a reduce bandwidth. I'v