Every time I send a picture to the trash from my desktop, and then empty the trash, a window pops up saying The operation can't be completed because the item ".DS_Store" is in use."
It started yesterday, and I don't know how to get it to stop. I switched to a macbook recently so I'm pretty new at this, but any advice will help.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
lsof | grep Trash | open -ef
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V).
The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear.
A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. If the command produced no output, the window will be empty. Post the contents of the TextEdit window (not the Terminal window), if any — the text, please, not a screenshot. The title of the window doesn't matter, and you don't need to post that.
If any personal information appears in the output, anonymize before posting, but don’t remove the context.
Similar Messages
-
This operation can't be completed because the item is in use.
I have been researching this for months and no one seems to have an answer, lots of discussions but never a result.
1 - I have a MacBook Pro running Lion (I tried it with Leopard too)
2 - I have an external Iomega raid drive which is being used as a server (2T) attached to it via firewire. (Files are added and taken off daily with no problems via the network)
3 - I have a new 4T external drive attached to the same MacBook Pro via firewire. (new drive with no files on it, it's the second drive I have tried)
4 - I want to back up all the files on the Iomega raid drive onto the new 4T drive.
Simple! except it isnt, the problem is as follows;
1 - I can transfer some files, sometimes lots, sometimes not, but never enough. If I am dragging say 200mg with folders with files in it sometimes works, but I need to transfer 2TB of data and anything of a sensible amount just comes back with 'this operation can't be completed because the item xxxx is in use', which it is not.
2 - Every time I get the message it comes back with a different file thats in use, but the file 'is not' in use, nothing is in use.
I have tried many things
1 - changed the OS
2 - changed the drive I'm transfering on to.
3 - changed the cables
4 - restarted all the machines
5 - used a different machine
6 - changed to list view (read that that can be an issue)
7 - changed to AFP in system settings
8 - checked the Iomega drive (all fine)
We have been using the Iomega drive as a server for a few years and have had no problems (hundreds of individual files going on and off daily), but it has always haunted me for not backing up the files. But when I try to do it I get this issue, I keep then ignoring the issue as the drive is working fine but I simply cant back it up. However, I have had enough now, I have read a lot of forums discussing this issue, but no one seems to be able to resolve it. I need to back up the data, I have bought 2 different hard drives, changed the cables and updated the OS, I have paid for further cover for the Iomega drive but they don't know whats wrong but say the drive is fine. I have run out of ideas
Anyone have any suggestions before I go crazy??
Thanks
JoeI see no one has addressed this issue. I'm having the same problem but no one seems to have an answer. Did you ever get this issue resolved Joe?
-
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?
RegardsIf 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/ -
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. BoGet 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. -
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? -
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) -
Operation can't be completed because the item "Database.sqlite3" is in use?
"The operation can’t be completed because the item “Database.sqlite3” is in use."
Every so often when I go to empty my trash I get this pop-up message from the Finder - any clues as to where this file is being generated? I can't figure out where this file is coming from - and google didn't have much on what that file even is. Is it something in the OS, or perhaps a third party app doing it? Anyone else ever have this message? Thanks.The Database.sqlite3 file (SO related) is here:
~(yourUserName)/Library/PubSub/Database/
This link explains the purpose:
http://www.schollnick.net/wordpress/2009/05/what-is-pubsub-agent/
What is in your trash when you get this dialog? -
The operation can't be completed because the item "PkgInfo" is in use.
When I try to replace an application in my applications folder with a new version that I have downloaded from the net by copying over the old one, I get the following message:
The operation can’t be completed because the item “PkgInfo” is in use.
I have the original application in my Apps folder, I drag in the new version and then get that message so I have to manually take the application to the trash and then I can put the new version in the Apps folder. This has happened on many occasions since upgrading to Snow Leopard.
Any ideas anyone on why this is happening and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance!This is happening to me on 10.5.8 as well, so it's not a Snow Leopard thing.
Generally, the copy works on trying it a second time. -
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.
-
What does this message mean - The operation can't be completed because the item "12b" is in use.
The operation can’t be completed because the item “12b” is in use. What does this message mean. It appeared as I was attempting to clear my time machine backup?
Reboot your machine make sure Aperture doesn't start (as Lion is liable to do) and try it.
-
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 item "iTunes Library Extras.itdb" is in use.
I am trying to transfer my iTunes from my PC to my new Mac. After reading through this forum a bit, I followed the instructions at: http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
I backed up my PC's iTunes folder to an external drive after selecting to consolidate files, etc.
I connected the external drive to my Mac and did a copy and paste of the iTunes folder. I have not put any music into the iTunes on the Mac, so I just said Yes to overrite (it said there are 2 files that will be overwritten- I think they are apps I downloaded this weekenad i am fine to overwrite them). It starts to copy and then I get the error message: "The operation can’t be completed because the item “iTunes Library Extras.itdb” is in use." I verified that I do not have iTunes open on the Mac and made sure that when I backed up from PC, I did not have iTunes open there either.
Any ideas?
Thanks
KatieI figured it out!
There was an iTunes folder on my new Mac. I may have installed it. I just deleted the whole iTunes folder under Music. I then tried copying and pasting from my External Drive again and now it is copying the data as I would expect. -
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 mediacenterHave you tried a restart or logging out/in?
Some more ideas.
Re: The operation can’t be completed because the item “ " is in use. -
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.
JamesI 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 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.
Maybe you are looking for
-
How to restrict uploading files by mime type?
Hi, I have been searching the forum (and Google) looking for tips on how to ensure users can only upload files of specific formats (Word, PDF, etc) for specific document types as defined within the application (e.g. Curriculum Vitae (Word), Copy of T
-
Why does my MacBook Pro make background music and video quieter when I am on FaceTime?
Why does my MacBook Pro make background music and video quieter when I am on FaceTime? When my girlfriend and I are trying to watch a movie on Netflix together while on FaceTime my MacBook Pro always decreases the volume of any background sound on my
-
2048 error when trying to play videos off network attached storage
Here is the problem, when i try and play my converted mp4 videos off my nas box i get the error-2048(not a file quicktime understands) but if i copy these files to my computer they play without a problem. I am totally stumped with this problem and wi
-
Does the entire query always have to execute?
We have a large (100 line) query that is used for detecting bad data. The query looks like select * from table where clause1 is true -- for example, start_date is null OR clause2 is true -- end_date is null OR clause3 is true -- start_year < 1970 . 1
-
Weblinks work within preview but not once exported to swf
As the title states really. I've set up button with weblinks and they work fine fromt he preview page, bt once exported to swf they no longer work. Is there a limit to how long they can be? Do I need something like tinyurl?