Cannot copy files from Time Machine

Question

Hi,
I wanted to trash all my Time Machine Files yesterday but when I tried to empty the trash, my Mac started to count all the files on the trash for so long that I decided to undo that. So, I opened the trash and decided to move back again all my Time Machine back up files into the original disk where they where. My Mac started to count all the files and it did not stopped since then? What can I do to resolve this issue, since my Mac has been counting files since very late last night and it's been doing this ever since: it's been counting for at least one day?
Can I stop the process and do something else, I would not like to damage my disk or something else. I know I should have taken a «reformat» option instead but right now I do not know if I can stop this process or should I let it run for I do not know how long???
Please help!
Thanks
Robert
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Answer 1

Hi,
After consideration of all this precious time spent, I've decided finally to call at Apple support even if my Apple Care coverage had expired for so many years. The 35$ fee for a month services was largely worth the call and the service I received... So, with the help of a well trained expert, I got the job done very fast et efficiently! Mind you, I had to insist to be in the hand of a good expert before doing anything, this was a "must" in my case...
After explaining my problem to this expert I realized that I was in good hands: he knew what was the problem and he really made my call worth all the money. I agreed to share my screen with him and we started with Terminal.
First:
I emptied the trash by typing the proper command in Terminal. I tried it before but it wasn't working since all my backup files from Time Machine where not on my local disk, they where on another internal disk. With his help, I identified the proper disk and when Terminal executed the command, it was done in no time. Sweet, no more counting! But my files where still on the trash, no one could tell how long this would take to trash everything. I had a zillion files in my Backup from Time Machine!
Second:
So, I asked my expert: "since we don't know how long will this process will take, will reformatting the disk, be better and will this save time? Is it possible since all my files on this disk are in the trash? He said: "Yes it will work even if your files are in the trash". Ok, let's do it! So, I've stopped the process after a few minutes and started Disk Utility. I then identified the volume and hit the "erase" button.
Voilà, the job was done perfectly after 2 minutes, my disk was clean.
Conclusion:
Is it both actions that did the job, I cannot say. But in my case, it worked perfectly. I know, I should have reformat my disk first, it would have save me so much time.
May my mistake serve other users in the futur! If anyone would like the command codes I used in Terminal, feel free to ask.
Live long and prosper Mr. Technician!
Robert M.
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