Can't delete any files - harddisk problem?

Hi!
I have a Macbook Pro 15" from medio 2009. Yesterday, I tried to download a file, then a message popped up that said, that the hard drive is full. However, I have 22 GB free space, so it didn't add up. Then I couldn't run any of the macintosh applications (i.e. Hard drive repair, time machine etc.). Moreso, I couldn't delete any files nor empty the trash can. An error -50 appears when I do that. When I reboot my mac it takes way too long to start up. Has anyone experienced some of the same problems? Do I need to replace my hard disk? If so, how can I backup my files if Time Machine doesn't work?
Kind regards,
MS

If you want to preserve the data on the boot drive, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to fully boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
1. Boot from the Recovery partition or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
2. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
3. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.

Similar Messages

HT1526 I can't delete any files, can't empty the trash bin, can't open my iTunes. Safari isn't working properly either. I keep getting the error message -50 when i try to delete anything...HELP!

I can't delete any files, can't empty the trash bin, can't open my iTunes. Safari isn't working properly either. I keep getting the error message -50 when i try to delete anything...HELP!

Hello, not too helpful, but...
enum {
paramErr = -50, /*error in user parameter list*/
Usually means a bvad or unacceptable Charachter in a File or Folder name...
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA20831
Solving Trash Problems...
http://thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html
Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when trying to open Safari or iTunes.

I can't delete any files from my external hard drives since I tried to delete backups. I can't return backups or delete anything now.

It started when I tried to delete back up files. It wouldn't let me delete them. Came up with "BootX" is locked, then "boot.efi" is locked. Holding down Option while emptying the trash didn't do anything. It wouldn't let me put them back in Backups.backupdb so I just left them in the trash.
But now I can't delete any files from either of my external hard drives. please help!

See Pondini's TM FAQs for starters.

Can I Delete any files in the Application Data\Apple Computer directory?

I'm using and iPhone 4S and Windows XP. (I know I'm WAY behind, and we're saving to buy an iMac soon.) I have a plethora of files in this directory
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Apple Computer\Logs\CrashReporter
Are there any files there I can delete. Some of them on my iPhone 3G go back a couple years.
And how about the files under here?
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobilSync
Is there a document that describes what all these files do, which ones I can delete, which ones are vital, etc.?
Thanks in advance!

You need call another PHP file
<?php
   $directory = './files/uploads';
   getDirectoryList ($directory);
   //This function find all the files in the directory
   function getDirectoryList ($directory)
     // create an array to hold directory list
     $results = array();
     // create a handler for the directory
     $handler = opendir($directory);
     // open directory and walk through the filenames
     while ($file = readdir($handler)) {
       // if file isn't this directory or its parent, add it to the results
       if ($file != "." && $file != "..") {
    //$results[] = $file;
     // Delete Files
    $filename = $file;
unlink($filename); //this delete a file
     // tidy up: close the handler
     closedir($handler);
?>

Can not delete any files!

I just bought a new macbook and I transfered my old macbook acount via migration assistand. However I am now unable to send any files to my trashcan. They just get deleted right away. I tried a few suggestions from other forums but nothing has helped...Any suggestions?

Can i delete a file on my external disk?

I have a toshiba external hard disk. When i plug it into my macbook air, i can only see my documents and copy them to the macbook or copy files from macbook to hard disk. But i can't delete any file on my external disk. How can i can do it?

It sounds like you originally used this drive with a Windows PC. Drives formatted as Windows NTFS can be read by a Mac but not written to (files cannot be deleted). If you want to keep the files that are on the drive, you can use Paragon NTFS (it's about $20) to install a driver allowing your Mac to write to the drive and delete files. This will allow you to continue to use the drive with both Mac and PC.
Or, if you have copied off all the files you need, you can use Disk Utility in your Utilities folder to wipe and reformat the drive to Mac format. You will no longer be able to use the drive with a PC.
Matt

HT3042 Please show us the video tutorial for this because i am having so much problem with my iphone5 bluetooth and can not send any file . So plz plz help me

Please show us the video tutorial for this because i am having so much problem with my iphone5 bluetooth and can not send any file . So plz plz help me

You have to use airdrop which is on iOS 7

Protected mode message comes up and when I try to open files it says it encountered an error and to check online.. i can not open any files now

Within the past week I have been getting messages when trying to open pdf files " that its in protected mode and can not open"
I deleted adobe and reinstalled directly from Adobe.com and now I can not open any file with a message it has encountered an error
and will check online for solution. Please assist as no files will open now
This is details of error
Problem Event Name:    APPCRASH
Application Name:    AcroRd32.exe
Application Version:    11.0.10.32
Application Timestamp:    547e9779
Fault Module Name:    StackHash_147f
Fault Module Version:    0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp:    00000000
Exception Code:    c000041d
Exception Offset:    77a011f1
OS Version:    6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48
Locale ID:    1033
Additional Information 1:    147f
Additional Information 2:    147ff66574b08dc93180d912e60eb897
Additional Information 3:    c48b
Additional Information 4:    c48be403c52ec6c06778481aaa8948d8
Read our privacy statement online:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=104288&clcid=0x0409
If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline:
C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt

Can you open Adobe Reader by itself? If so, try to disable Protected Mode [Edit | Preferenes | Security (Enhanced)].

I can't delete raw files in bridge

I can't delete raw files in bridge anymore. I used to and it worked. Now if I click delete button, nothing happens.

Adobe doesn't support CS5, an when I spoke to Apple, I was told that this is a known issue with OS 10.8.5 and that they're working on a patch. In the meantime I'm using Adobe's DNG as a workaround.
Have not heard before of this Known Issue, also find it hard to believe being true. But can't test my self because I only have CS6 and CC installed and always use Photodownloader to convert to DNG upon import. I have just installed the 10.8.5 update and checked in Bridge CC pointing to an attached card reader. no problem in showing the CR2 thumbs, it works as always and as expected.
To my knowledge Bridge CS5 is already 64 bits and I can't think of any valid reason why an OS update would cause this problem so suddenly (but I'm not a technician I have to confess…)
However, I would first try a check and repair permissions from Apple Disk Utility and also try Cocktail (good and cheap 3th party maintenance application for Mac) to clear caches and check permissions.
Also try a new user account just for testing to rule out your current account as the culprit.

I have the latest Mac Air 13" and I have a Seagate 500MB external hard disk I cant copy or Cut any files on the hard disk and I cant even delete any files. I have the settings as Read and Write in the get info tab. Please help

I have the latest Mac Air 13" and I have a Seagate 500MB external hard disk I cant copy or Cut any files on the hard disk and I cant even delete any files. I have the settings as Read and Write in the get info tab. Please helpand also note that my hard drive was formatted on a Windows 7 Laptop.

thats the problem, its in MSDos (Fat) or NTFS for Windows.
Options.....
1. offload all that data on the HD onto your PC, THEN format the HD in EXFAT for use on BOTH PC and Mac for read/write.....then reload all (or as you need) that data back onto the HD
2. get another HD, and format it for Mac OSX extended journaled.
FAT32 (File Allocation Table)
Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
Maximum file size: 4GB.
Maximum volume size: 2TB
You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.
NTFS (Windows NT File System)
Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon (approx $20) (Best Choice for Lion)
Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and Lion, but is not advisable, due to instability.
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
Maximum file size: 16 TB
Maximum volume size: 256TB
You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.
HFS+ ((((MAC FORMAT))) (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)
Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac internal hard drive.
To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
Maximum file size: 8EiB
Maximum volume size: 8EiB
You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)
EXFAT (FAT64) ------Can read/write from both PC and Mac
Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
Not all Windows versions support exFAT.
exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
Maximum file size: 16 EiB
Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

Can't delete some files due to a persistent lock.

I've been having problems deleting a few files. I get this error
oracle.ifs.common.IfsException: IFS-30650: PublicObject has a persistent lock; unable to change
     void oracle.ifs.common.IfsException.<init>(int)
          IfsException.java:341
     void oracle.ifs.common.IfsException.<init>(int, oracle.ifs.common.Traceable)
          IfsException.java:361
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_LockObject.verifyCanDeleteLockedPublicObject(oracle.ifs.server.S_PublicObject)
          S_LockObject.java:709
     java.lang.Object java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(java.lang.Object, java.lang.Object[])
          native code
     java.lang.Object oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObject.invokePolicyMethod(java.lang.String, java.lang.Object[], java.lang.String[])
          S_LibraryObject.java:2701
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_LockObject.handleLockPolicy(oracle.ifs.server.S_PublicObject, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition, java.lang.String)
          S_LockObject.java:405
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_PublicObject.extendedPreFree(oracle.ifs.server.OperationState, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          S_PublicObject.java:1818
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_Document.extendedPreFree(oracle.ifs.server.OperationState, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          S_Document.java:377
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObject.preFree(oracle.ifs.server.OperationState, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          S_LibraryObject.java:1655
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObject.free(oracle.ifs.server.OperationState, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          S_LibraryObject.java:2328
     void oracle.ifs.server.S_LibrarySession.DMFree(java.lang.Long, java.lang.Long, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          S_LibrarySession.java:9283
     void oracle.ifs.beans.LibrarySession.DMFree(java.lang.Long, java.lang.Long, oracle.ifs.server.S_LibraryObjectDefinition)
          LibrarySession.java:9222
     void oracle.ifs.beans.LibraryObject.free(oracle.ifs.beans.LibraryObjectDefinition)
          LibraryObject.java:1132
     void oracle.ifs.beans.LibraryObject.free()
          LibraryObject.java:1108
     void Tester.Tester.unLockFiles(java.lang.String)
          Tester.java:149
     void Tester.Tester.main(java.lang.String[])
          Tester.java:81
This error even happens when I log in as system which has system admin priveleges. I can't figure out how to release the lock on these files that have it. I don't even know how this lock was created.
I also tried to loop through all of the files with this lock and change the files to unlocked, but that produced a stack trace as well.
Shouldn't system admin be able to delete any file?
Thanks for the help.

Tried that as well initially. When I log in as system, set as administration mode, I tried setting the objects to unlock using this code.
LibrarySession session = [My Get Session Code];
session.setAdministrationMode(true);
IfsFileSystem fso = new IfsFileSystem(session);
Folder folder = (Folder)fso.findPublicObjectByPath([Path to folder which contains the locked files]);
PublicObject[] pos = folder.getItems();
for (int index = 0; index < pos.length; index++) {
pos[index].getLockObject().setLockState(LockObject.LOCKSTATE_UNLOCK);
I get this exception when I run that code
oracle.ifs.common.IfsException: IFS-30020: Attribute is not updateable (LOCKSTATE)
This is kinda frustrating. Luckily this is in development right now but I don't want something like this happening in production, and if it did, it'd be nice to be able to fix it.
Thanks again for your help.

I can not download any files using Safari ? when I choose to download application file the URL include the file name and stop responding. Any help??

I can not download any files using Safari ? when I choose to download application file the URL include the file name and stop responding. Any help??

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up a guest account” (without the quotes) in the search box.
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem(s)?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault in Mac OS X 10.7 or later, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The Guest login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.
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. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
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.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under Mac OS X 10.7 or later, you can’t boot in safe mode.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

I can't delete this file !!

Hi,
Actually I'm really facing a very strange situation..
It happened that I have a file that all the permissions it has is that it can be read by its owner..
and to make it even more odd, the owner is 'root'...
I can't figure a way to remove this file, but I really have to..
It all started when I tried to remove a probable virus file from a 'ntfs' partition..
but when I mounted this partition, I found that I can't delete this file...
Oh, I forgot to say that I couldn't delete it from windows either, so ???
Any help is appreciated ..
thanx in advance..

yehdev_cc wrote:Thank you for the replies...
@richs-lxh : The problem is that I don't have the permission to change the owner or the permissions.. even the owner of the file (it's the 'root') doesn't have this permission!!
If you mount the ntfs partition, change ownership and make it writeable, you can do whatever you want to any file. Root is God
Ok, so go for installing ntfs-3g.
Now mount the partition to a directory called /windows.
You can chown the owner of the entire partition recursively with the -R switch. For example:
su to root
su
make a mount directory
mkdir /windows
backup fstab before editing
cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab_backup
open fstab with nano
nano fstab
copy and paste this code (change hda1 to your windows partition) Then "ctrl+X" to exit "Y" to save and "Enter" to quit.
/dev/hda1 /windows ntfs defaults 0 0
mount all partitions
mount -a
change owbnership to root, recursively, every single file (may take a few minutes)
chown -R root:root /windows
add write permissions, recursively, every single file (may take a few minutes)
chmod -R 755 /windows
Now go and delete the file. If you can't delete the file I would really like some further information on what virus it is/was, as I have never had any Windows file which I couldn't remove as root.
PS: If you have "System Restore" enabled on Windows, disable it and delete it. It's the first place where all the nasties go to hide, and then reinfect the system later.
richs-lxh
Last edited by richs-lxh (2008-09-04 21:58:59)

Creative Zen 8GB - Can't delete certain files (Write Protected it sa

I have added a bunch of mp3s, images and videos to my player, but now when I try to delete some of these files I get a "you can't delete this file because it's write protected", if I check the properties of such files they are infact write protected but there's no way for me to uncheck the box and make them deletable.
Anyone with the same problem or with a handy solution?
P.S. I updated already to the latest firmware.

Yes; I got my Zen this week and had the same problem when I copied over some MP3 files from a CD-ROM, which are write protected when the CD-ROM is created. I thought that the Zen was defecti've but now feel this is either a programmers misunderstanding of Windows Read Only functionality in the Zen -or- when you protect a file from deletion within the Zen, this is what the firmware sets to flag the file as 'Protected (I have not researched this yet).
My Fix: For some of you this will not be the answer you are looking for but it works and will kept your Zen music file structure and library intact.
You may need to switch to MTP mode in the creative software before you are allowed to use this technique. Search the forum where to find this checkbox. Otherwise your XP may be able to nati'vely open Explorer windows to the Zen.
Setup: Open two Windows Explorer windows on your desktop. In one, create a new folder on a hard dri've that has enough space to handle all the music files on your Zen. In another Explorer window, navigate to the Zen music folder.
1. Use Windows Explorer to copy ALL of your music files From the Zen to a new folder on your computer's hard dri've. If you don't have enough room on your hard dri've (and if not, why don't you? ) move files in stages.
2. When the files are in your hard dri've's folder, right-click on the new folder and select Properties. Deselect (Uncheck) the Read Only attribute checkbox. If another dialog is displayed, select "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files" and click 'OK'. This will make all your files deletable on the Zen.
3. Copy (drag) all the files back to your Zen, overwriting the original files.
That's it. In the future perform step two before copying any files to the Zen.
-Winged One

I can not attach any files to email or Facebook. When I go to "browse" the window comes up and disappears immediately. I updated browser and Adobe Flash. Restarted computer and zapped pram. any ideas? Please help!

I can not attach any files to email or Facebook. When I go to "browse" the window comes up and disappears immediately. I updated browser and Adobe Flash. Restarted computer and zapped pram. any ideas? Please help!

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up a guest account” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only Guest login created by Find My Mac.
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem(s)?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault in Mac OS X 10.7 or later, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The Guest login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.
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. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
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.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under Mac OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Can't delete any files - harddisk problem?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for