Error 8003 stops me from emptying trash. what?

I have tried to empy the trash and suddenly I get an error message 8003 that prevents it from emptying. Any one seen this before?

See if you can fix it with Trash It! 5.0.
If not then visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on dealing with Trash problems.

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Error 8003 while trying to empty trash

Hello,
I'm getting this error quite often while emptying trash and I have to use application named Trash It. But is there any real solution to this?
1) Yes, I have manually deleted Time Machine backup from external HD, actually many times (due to some problems it was backing up around 15-20 GBs daily quickly filling my drive). It never gave me this error though.
2) I have used Disk Utility, it says there are no issues with HD and permissions were fixed.
There is no pattern to this. Like today I wasn't able to delete two screenshots from desktop (moved to trash, error 8003) and I had to use Trash it. External HD wasn't even connected (Time Machine HD).
Any ideas? At worst I hope Lion will be DVD burnable (I saw some tips on net how to do it) and I will be able to format HD and make clean install.
Thanks.

I always delete whole backup, never just particular file. Should be save according to site you pointed me at:
Sometimes you may want to delete ALL backups. Sounds easy, but like so many things, it depends on the circumstances:
If there is other data on the volume, you can delete the Backups.backupdb folder, but it will take a very long time (as there may be from several hundred thousand to a few million files), and you may have trouble with locked files and/or permissions. If possible, it’s much better to delete the backups individually as above, or copy the other data elsewhere temporarily, erase the volume with Disk Utility, and copy the data back. (This is why a separate partition for Time Machine backups is advised.)
I see the "you can". :-)

Error -8003 when trying to empty trash

I get this error code when trying to empty the trash, and the trash won't empty.
What does it mean and how do I get the trash to empty?
thanks

The most common cause for this problem is deleting stuff from a Time Machine backup using the Finder. This pretty irrevocably destroys your backup in addition to clogging the trash with files that are difficult to delete. If this is what you have done, your easiest and most reliable course of action will be to erase your backup drive using Disk Utility and start a brand new backup. And then never touch your backup in the Finder ever again.
If that isn't what happened, let us know.

How do I get past error - 8003 so I can empty trash?

When I try to empty trash I get the error message -8003
What needs to be done so I can empty the trash?

Launch Terminal.app(/Applications/Utility/Terminal), then type
cd ~/.Trash
chflags -R nouchg *
Then empty trash in Finder as usual.

Error 8003 when attempting to empty trash

After setting up my new iMac and migrating my G4 over, I ran a back up of my new HD and then opened the backup drive and dragged the no longer needed G4 backup to the trash. Unfortunately I can't seem to empty the trash now. Every time I try I get an error 8003. Any insight to this problem would be appreciated.

I went back and looked at some previous discussions of this issue and found a post that recommended a utility called "Cocktail". I downloaded it and it worked beautifully. My trash is now empty. I'll have to go back to that discussion and give the poster an excellent recommendation.

Getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash, lots and lots of stuff in there but it won't let me empty the trash.

getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash, lots and lots of stuff in there but it won't let me empty the trash.

Thomas...
Try Trash IT for Mac > http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it!
It helped users with the same issue here > https://discussions.apple.com/message/16995454#16995454

I just set up my new iMac, and receive error messages when trying to purchase from the iTunes store (error 8003) or update from the App store (error 403 forbidden). THOUGHTS?

I just set up my new iMac, and receive error messages when trying to purchase from the iTunes store (error 8003) or update from the App store (error 403 forbidden). THOUGHTS?

I am not sure what you mean by "Flash Player for steam"; the only Flash Player installers I know is the ActiveX (for Internet Explorer) and the plugin (for other browsers); you can find both at http://helpx.adobe.com/content/help/en/flash-player/kb/installation-problems-flash-player- windows.html#main-pars_header
[topic moved to Flash Player forum]

How i can stop the automatically empty trash?

How i can stop the automaticall empty trash?
when i move a file to trsh , i recieve the massage from the finder asked me the password, thereafter, i do Ok , then the file move to trash, when i open the trash i found it empty automatically

i did already , but still the same problem .
when i do move the trash, i recieved a massage titled " Finder wants to make changes. type your password to allow this" , i do Ok , then the file directly moved to trash , but when i go to the trash i found it empty.

Error code -8003? Can't empty trash

All I'm trying to do is empty my trash. All that's in the trash are a bunch of empty folders, but whenever I go "Finder > Empty Trash," I get the usual thermometer bar for a few seconds (which seems odd in itself, considering how small the files in the Trash are), then this error message:
The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).
I ran Disk Utility, Repaired Permissions, it gave me a clean bill of health. I then re-started the iMac, and when it was fully booted, tried to empty the trash again. Same error message.
Then I ran OnyX v2.1.4, no problems, restarted, tried to empty the trash, same result.
Then I ran Maintenance v1.3.2, no problems, restarted, tried to empty the trash, same result.
In each case of verifying or repairing disk or permissions, all three utilities generated humongous logs, which I've saved.
I looked on Apple's Support site for error codes. I was directed to this page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2088?viewlocale=en_US
Which says "Mac OS System Error Codes: 1 to 32767," which one would think to be inclusive of error code -8033… but it ain't: the error codes go from 103 (ds32BitMode (booting in 32-bit on a 24-bit sys) to 20000 (dsShutDownOrRestart user choice between ShutDown and Restart)
I've tried several other sites that claim to have listings of Mac error codes, but it's my understanding -- please correct me if I'm wrong -- that error codes are not static; they evolve with the system.
BTW, all this happened after installing the latest software update, which included the 356th new driver for HP Printers this week alone, and something else I can't remember.
Whatever the case, I can't get rid of these empty folders. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Bart Brown

Thanks for the links and tips -- I was so brain-fogged last night (allergies + incredible pollen count = brain fog), and it's been so long since I had an "empty trash" problem, I completely forgot about the option key.
What's REALLY bizarre (to me) is how I accidentally fixed the problem:
I opened the Trash window (in "list" view), and did a Command-Option-Right Arrow (which opens all folders and subfolders), trying to see if I could find anything OTHER than empty folders. There were a few files, but nothing out of the ordinary. I closed the Trash window, and decided -- just for the **** of it -- to empty the Trash again. Finder > Empty Trash, and poof! All gone!
Thanks again -- very useful links!
Bart Brown

Error code -8003 when trying to empty trash on external HD

Hi I have a 2008 MacBook and a couple of external drives by iomega. Yesterday I was trying to copy 15 gb of files from my MacBook to my USB external drive, and didn't have enough space. So I attempted to delete all my Time Machine backups from 2011 (the oldest ones) from the USB external in an attempt to free up space. Time Machine began doing an auto backup while this was happening. I let it run while I slept, then this morning found I cannot empty the Trash when the USB external drive is connected and turned on. The Trash contains all the backups I was trying to delete yesterday, and when I try to empty Trash it says "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occured (error code -8003)". I have run Disk Utility to "verify" the USB external and it checked out ok. I've also rebooted both MacBook and restarted the USB external. Any other ideas on how I can get the trash to empty?

Hi Andvari,
If you are having issues emptying the Trash on your MacBook, you may find the following article helpful:
Apple Support: You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526
Regards,
- Brenden

Error code 8003 when trying to empty trash

I searched the Internet for a while trying to find an answer to this, but I can't seem to come across one. On my own I was able to determine the cause for the problem, to some degree, but I don't know how to fix it. I have repaired my permissions.
Every time I try to empty my trash with the office update installer package "15089Office 2008 12.2.5 Update" in it I get the message: "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)."
I'm not sure what to do. Figures it is a Windows program causing me grief. All I want to do is put it in the trash and get rid of it forever. I honestly have no idea why this isn't working.
Does anyone have a suggestion?

Hi s:
Here is a thread that seems to have addressed the problem. Hard to tell, but some program called trash it appears to have worked with the code:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10452955
Barry

I am getting error message (-8003) when trying to empty trash

In attempting to empty trash, which includes some time machine backup files, I am getting the -8003 error message...and am unable to dump anything. What must I do to resolve this?

Another thread here with the same issue.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2138034?start=0&tstart=0

I'm getting error code 8003 when trying to empty trash.

I am getting an error code 8003 when trying to empty my trash. Don't it anywhere I've looked.

Read this and possibly the solution is there.
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6126_102-365518.html

Error message when trying to empty trash

I am trying to uninstall realplayer and I have closed the program and moved it from finder to my trash. When I try to empty trash, I get an error message that says, "The operation cannot be completed because the item "RealPlayerDVR.icns" is in use." How do I get past this to empty it?

Secure empty the trash.
Click on the desktop
Up in the menubar click "Finder"
Click secure empty trash.

How can I restore files from empty trash?

Please someone help me! I deleted my IPHOTO LIBRARY by mistake, and then I pressed " empty trash". Is it even possible for me to recover deleted itens from the trash? I live in Brazil and the closest Apple Store is 5 hours from home. I am not that comfortable with any support companies trying to fix my computer and I can't set up Time Machine alone.
Any tips?

I have heard of it, I know nothig about it, Data Rescue is the one I see recommended the most. I had to use Data Rescue once many years ago on a family members machine and recovered quite a bit, but it was a purchased version.
Try the Wondershare and see if it finds anything (what have you got to lose? as of now you have already lost data) I would try the trial version and see if it recovers anything before thinking about buying the full package.If it does not recover anything then I would not buy it. Maybe then you might try the Data Rescue 3 trial and seee if that recovers anything.
As for Time Machine back up, you REALLY want to have that on an external drive.You can partition your internal drive for a Time Machine back up, but what happens if the internal drive crashes,? Then you have nothing. With an external Time Machine drive you can replace the broken drive and then restore the data.
I have 2 back ups 1 Time Machine, and 1 Carbon Copy Clone (the CCC can be booted from, so if my internal drive goes down, I can still start up from the clone. Drives are fairly inexpensive these days, data can be pricless.
It is not a question of if my drive will crash, it is a question of when, all drives will fail at some point.
By the way, your english is quite good.
I hope this helps and you get your photos back, I would be very sad if I lost all of mine.
Best of luck

Error 8003 stops me from emptying trash. what?

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