Invisible files--can't delete

Question

OS 10.7.5
We are a commercial print shop. In the Finder, I have created a saved search that located all the .ps (postscript files) in a certain folder. Works great. However, this search (and a manual search like it) includes, in the results, two postscript files that were supposedly deleted months ago (intentionally). The files are no longer in this folder (or anywhere on our network) yet these files still show up in the search results window (and only in the search results window).
The icons of these 'ghost' files are blank (just white pages)
I can select the file and 'Get Info' them. They have a file size, creation and modification dates, but no location.
If I start Terminal and do 'ls" for the folder that I originally searched, these files do not show up in the resulting list.
If I start Terminal, type 'rm' and attempt to drag these files onto the terminal window out of the Finder search results window, nothing happens. I can't drag the files anywhere, in fact. I click and hold, the icon will not come with my mouse. I can click the files, but they cannot be dragged anywhere. "Legitimate" files in search results windows can be dragged (even in the same search result window containing my ghost files)
If I search for these files by name (instead of .ps extension) they show up in the search window, along with a bunch of other 'ghost' files of types: PDF, .ps, .INDD, .psd, etc and a number of other Adobe CS6-related file extenions. It's one project that seems to have gone 'ghosty' on me.
These files seem to be 'stuck' in this neverland and I can't get at them to delete them. I can't seem to use Terminal to get at them because they don't have a location. I have repaired permissions.
They are not ruining anything, it's just a nuisance to have them constantly coming up in the search result window and having to ignore them.
Any suggestions?

Answer 1

wholemilk wrote:
I'm trying to delete some files and I get the following message, "Emptying the Trash cannot be completed because "weezeerbeverlyucv(1).mpeg" is locked. To empty everything in the Trash, including locked items, press the Option key while selecting Empty Trash."
I've tried this a dozen different ways and it won't work. I get the same error message. I've tried the Option key (on either side and together), the command key, delete and various combinations therein -- it's still in the trash.
Any suggestions?
Cheers,
It most likely means that you do not own the file in question.
Open the trash and drag the file onto the desktop.
Run disk utility and repair permissions -
Now see if you can trash it permanently.
There are other ways, but this is a simple way.
Another way is while the file is on the desktop, right-click it and select "Get Info"
In the Get Info window, near the bottom you will see Sharing & Permissions
Be sure that you have read and write on that file. From what you describe, you do not.
Change the permissions on the file to read and write (you will have to unlock the lock at the bottom right) and you should be able to trash the file.
While the file is on your desktop, you can enter the terminal and delete it, but only if neither of the above processes work.