Error Code -8003 while emptying trash

I have deleted some Time Machine backups.backupdb folders from my backup volume into my trash and now I can't empty the trash. The volume with the backups.backupdb data was getting full and I wanted to give it more space. Now when I attempt to empty the trash on my iMac, I get the error code -8003. I have searched online and can't find a solution. Does anyone one know how I can empty my trash? Thank you.

You don't need to empty Time Machine backups, it does it on its own. However, if you have tried to empty the backups from your external drive into your trash, you may need to do what was suggested by "a brody" above. You should disable Time Machine. I tried putting the files back on the external drive but after doing that, I was stiull unable to empty the trash. I wiped the external drive clean with disk utility, emptied the trash and then reinstalled the other backups I wanted. I re-enabled Time Machine and everything seems to be back to normal. In the end all I lost was older Time Machine backups.

Similar Messages

Error code 8003 when empty trash

Trying to free up disk space. Can not empty trash. error code 8003. How do I empty trash.

Hello sec1cah,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526?viewlocale=de_de
First, try holding the Option key as you choose Empty Trash from the Finder menu.
Best of luck,
Mario

Error Code 8003 with empty trash command

I am trying to empty trash and getting an error code -8003. I have deleted some very large iphot folders to free up disk space after moving them to a detached drive. To complete the task, I am trying to empty trash. After about 30 seconds, I get an error code - 8003.
"The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)."

Hey BY366,
Thanks for the question. I understand you are having issues emptying the Trash in Mac OS X 10.6.8. The following article may help to resolve your issue:
You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526
If the above steps do not resolve your issue, see the section titled “Emptying the Trash” in the following resource. Please note that the steps outlined in this resource are highly advanced, and must be executed with caution. Typographical error or misuse of the "rm -rf" command can result in data loss. Insertion of a space in the wrong place could result in the complete deletion of data on your hard disk, for example.
Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963
Thanks,
Matt M.

Error code -8003 when emptying trash; underlying problem?

I am continually getting this error message when trying to empty the trash:
"The operation couldn't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)"
I have searched the forums and have picked up on ways to ovecome this - I use Onyx or TrashIt to empty the trash, but the issue comes back very soon, often the same day. Would like find an fix the underlying problem.
I have done some testing and think I know at least part of the problem. I use the MacUpdate program to find and download updates to the programs on my Mac, and I also use AppTrap to delete files associated with applications that I am deleting. When MacUpdate updates an app it throws the old one in the trash, and AppTrap asks if I want to keep or trash preferences, and I of course choose keep. I have noted that the empty trash problem seems to occur after automatic updates - not after everyone one, but it has NEVER occured without something being in the trash that got sent there by MacUpdate.
I took everything out of the trash and deleted things one by one, even opening packages, and found at least one item that wouldn't delete, a version of Carbon Copy Cloner that was updated by MacUpdate. I checked and it was not locked, and I had Read Write permission. I found another file that would generate teh -8300 error; when I clicked the lock pad and entered my password, it would then delete. But other files that have the padlock locked will delete, but it seems at least some programs updated by MacUpdate won't delete unless you unlock the file.
Do any other of the people on this forum who have experienced the -8300 error also us MacUpdate? I know that some people get this error from deleting files from their Time Machine backup, but that is not my situation.

Start with http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

Error code -36 when emptying trash...Please Help !!!!!!

Hey there, im having problems emptying the trash on my macbookpro and I wonder is it the problem that slows down my computer too because it has been awhile since i have emptied my trash and now I can't empty it due to the error showed as "PodcastsPlacord.nib Error Code -36".
Does anyone has any idea on how to get this done? Please Help.....Thanks !!!

Hi Alene!
Do you make regularly house keeping of your system? Repair the permissions and stuff like that. If not repair first your permissions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1452
Or download a Utility called Onyx and do your house keeping.
How many space is left on your HD? Which OS you are runnning?
If you have done all this, and you are still unable to empty your Trash, I will tell you, how to do this with a Terminal command ...
marek

Error Code -8062 when emptying trash

I am booting a PowerBook G4, 1.5GHz from an external FireWire drive with OS X 10.4.11 installed. When I try to empty the trash,from this drive,I get an error code -8062. This happens on any file or folder placed in the trash. Have also tried it on my DeskTop with the same results. Any suggestions? And, what is error code -8062?

See the last post here...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1388979&tstart=0
OP fixed it themselves!

ERROR when trying to empty Trash!

I am trying to empty Trash and it can not be done as it gives me error:
The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

Tried the Trashit
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it!
this solved the problem...

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

Mystery Error code while emptying trash

I just installed the 10.6.6 Update before I had this problem, but I don't know if there is a connection. When I tried to empty the trash, I got the barber pole progress bar for a few seconds and then this error code alert: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).
My first question is: is there a way to find what Mystery error codes actually mean?
Next I went ahead and tried a few things to get the trash emptied. I pulled stuff out by dragging it to the desk top until it emptied successfully, then put files and folders back in until it stuck again, and I found the problem file. It's an app file left over, I think, from the last time I updated the app. I tried to open the lock on the get info page for the file, and that didn't help. I restarted the computer. No help.
Any suggestions for how to proceed. I've still got this poison file sitting in my trash, that prevents any trash empty while it's in the trashcan.
Thanks for any help you can provide.

Try holding down option while emptying the trash or restart your machine and then empty the trash.

I tried to empty the trash, full of back up file from my hard disk and it just says: "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)"

I have an external hard disk of 319.73 GB that I use as back up memory and where I put all the movies and other files that I can't leave on the computer as they occupy too much memory space . One day I was deleting all the previous dated back up to have more space on it , but had to stop the trash for doing it cause it was taking too long and now every time that I try to empty the trash it just says "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)" and even if I press CONTINUE it won't empting it . I'm not really pratical with this things and I tried already to find out the solution here and on Google but apparently nobody ever had a similar error code and I don't know what else to do.
I've a MacBook Pro with a Mac OS X 10.6.8 Version.
Thanks again for the help and sorry if I did some english mistakes !
PEACE & LOVE

Hey donnie90,
It seems like this article might be the best for helping you address this issue:
You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526
Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

I'm getting an error code -8003 when I try to empty my trash.

I recently emptied several old backup files from an external hard drive to the trash folder. Now when I attempt to empty the trash, I get this message: "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003). What should I do? I just took the computer and external hard drive to an apple store for genius support a few days ago and the tech fixed a few things. He advised me to empty the backup files, which is what I'm trying to do.

See this general resume of trash problems.
I suspect you've been trying to remove some of your Time Machine back ups.   Not a good idea without doing the necessary research first. Read about ways to solve Trash problems.
From the X LAB.       Solving Trash Problems
Then, for clearing stubborn trash.                Download Trash It! for Mac
In particular related to Time Machine.       Time Machine - Troubleshooting
http://pondini.org/TM/E6.html
Can't empty the trash after deleting backups via the Finder

I get an error code -8003 when I try to empty the trash

I was about to run TechToolPro to defrag etc my external HD when I decided to reduce the size of the Time Machine file by removing the earliest two or three backups which date back to a year ago or so. I realize the error of my ways now but my thinking was to reduce the time it took to defrag etc.
I had put the files in my trash on the MBP 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4 Gb ram running 10.6.8 which at that time had about 11gib of HD space left. This action brought it down to 3.8 Gb left on the HD.
cannot
Now when I try to empty the HD I get an error code -8003 and the HD space remaining has reduced to about .5 Gb.
What are my options?
I also have a Super Duper backup.

Did any of the threads that appear in the "More Like This" section to the right help you?
You could try this utility and see if that trashes any stubborn files:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it

Empty trash The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

I can't empty my trash. The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).
I have started up in a guest account and that show empty trash bucket.
I have use 'option' or all three, control, option, command. and nothing works.
This has been a problem for about 3 weeks now.
I have an external WD hardrive for back up, these are the files that I try to erase - and I have unlocked each one, still no luck....
Can some one give me a hint what to do?
Jan

Don;
Plus all of you that have tried to help me with my 'empty trash' problem. I have it solved!
I am running a Western Digital external hard drive. I phoned them just now and they asked me to unplug the WD drive, and I reset the back up occasions, it was backing up every hour, which was way too often. The trash emptied when I unplugged and now I have rebooted and the trash is still empty
Thanks to all who gave me suggestions as to what I needed to do to empty my trash can! It had more than 1600 items living there. What a relief.
Jan

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003). FWIW, there are nearly 3000 items in my Trash - although this does not seem the source of the problem.

Have you read for possible solutions over in the "More Like This" thread over here?----------------------->

Error Code -8003 while emptying trash

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for