Preview and Trash won't empty

A fairly consistent error - when I try to empty the Trash I get an error message saying that a document can't be deleted as it is in use.
Whenever this happens it turns out to be something that HAD been open in Preview and quitting Preview fixes the issue. I guess holding down the Opt key would do, but I always want to find out the why ...
Oh, it also happened on my iBook with Tiger.
Cheers, Colin

HI Colin,
Open Preview. Then on your keyboard press Command + Option + Esc. That will bring up the Force Quit window. Select Preview and then click the Force Quit button. See if you can empty the Trash now.
More help here; http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526
And here: Solving Problems with Trash: http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html
Carolyn:-)
Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

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Finder not opening and trash won't empty

Hi All,
I've had my iMac OS 10.4 for over a year and this is the first real problem I've had. Even this discussion forum is new to me.
Truly, I'm at my wits end.
So... Finder isn't opening. I think because the Finder doesn't open, it's not letting Trash empty.
Who knows?...
I've double-clicked on the bottom and it won't open but it seems to be stuck on the top bar. When I click onto Finder on top, it says 'about Finder, run full Finder, hide Finders, or hide others'.
I click onto 'run full Finder', the beach ball comes up for a few seconds but nothing happens.
I checked help; it told me to go to Utility disk and verify disk permissions. I did that and also verified disk.
It came up that 1 HFS volume needs repair but for whatever reason I can't press the repair disk button.
The computer doesn't allow me to.
Looking through in Apple support, it said something about going on single mode
and sbin/fsck -fy
did that and no go
BDAqua - I ran it with fsck -f and it said volume appears to be ok
I reboot and Finder and Trash is still not working.
I try Utility disk and NOW it tells me volume verification passed but both items still don't work.
I know this is too much but I'm hoping someone could help.
Can you help me out there?....
I'm Noe_help!

Try this:
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.

I deleted my back up files from my external hard drive and my trash won't empty. I get an error code -22. Can anyone tell me how to fix this?

I deleted my back up files from my external hard drive and my trash won't empty. I get an error code -22. Can anyone tell me how to fix this?

JLCruz wrote:
I deleted my back up files from my external hard drive ...
If this is related to Time Machine Backups...
See here > Should I delete old backups? If so, How?
From Here > http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
If the TRASH still won’t Empty...
See Here > http://pondini.org/TM/E6.html

Super stubborn files in Trash - won't empty!

Hi all,
a few days ago i deleted 2 files from my windows partition by dragging them strait to the trash in osx.
Since than, the trash won't empty!
I found quite a few ultimate trash guides, and I've tried EVERYTHING -
1. secure empty trash says "The finder can't complete the oparation because some data in "" can't be read or written (error code -36)".
2. forcing empty by holding the option button - nothing.
3. using the commands in the terminal (sudo, rm...) - nothing.
4. the files don't appear in the terminal when i use the ls command (enabeling viewing of hidden files)
5. repairing hd permissions - fixes quite a few errors but trash still wont empty.
6. checking the disk through windows 7 via bootcamp - nothing (files dont exist)
7. 3rd party apps - nothing (i tried about 5 different programs).
8. i even tried restoring my system via time machine - files are still there!!
Please help, what else must i do???
Thanks,
Daniel.

*Trash Problems*
If trash can't delete because an item is busy, try restarting the computer.
If trash won't delete because an item is locked, try holding down the option key when emptying the trash.
Try booting to Safe Mode (hold down the shift key while booting, restart may take a long time but let it go), sometimes just doing that works. Restart normally.
Reading
[You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash in Mac OS X|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526]
[Solving Trash Problems|http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html]
[How To Fix Stubborn Trash and Why it Won't Delete|http://www.osxfaq.com/Tutorials/LearningCenter/HowTo/Trash/index.ws]
[rccharles: Discussion on trashing problem files with Terminal commands|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9168842#9168842]
[Mini-tutorial: Force-deleting stubborn or problematic files in Mac OS X...|http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10328342-263.html]
[Trash immediately emptying and permanently deleting file when you drag a file to it|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11390063]
*Utilities for emptying trash*
[Trash It!|http://www.nonamescriptware.com/?page_id=5]
[DropNuke|http://divnull.com/blog/products/software>
[Super Empty Trash 2.3|http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/16727] - Simple AppleScript applet that will empty the Trash with administrator privileges
[What's Keeping Me|http://www.hamsoftengineering.com/products/wkm/wkm.html] - lists files open and applications that are using them

IPhoto Trash won't empty

I just realized my iPhoto Trash won't empty. When I click on it the software crashes. There are about 800 images in the Trash. I tried restoring about half of them to their albums and then emptying Trash -- but same thing -- Crash. Any suggestions? Thanks, Dan
G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

In iPhoto Preferences turn off "Show Item Counts." Quit iPhoto. Launch iPhoto. Empty Trash. Quit again. Launch again and see if the Trash emptied properly.

I deleted my Time Machine backups using Finder, now the trash won't empty

Hello
I've just been to the Apple genius bar and thought this was solved, there the trash emptied no problem. But I realized that the problem has to do with two external drives that have time machine backups on them. I deleted some of the older back ups because my drive was filling up and I didn't see any other way to delete them.
Now they can't be reinstated back where they were, and the trash won't empty using any method. I've even tried the Terminal SUMO methods on here and other sites, and the Trashi It app, and Cocktail app - nothing works.
The only solutions I've found say to wipe your back up drive completely and start over but that is NOT an option as I have ALL of my photos on there. I use my external drive for my images (I am a photographer) and use time machine to back up my MacBookPro onto there as well. I had no idea deleting those was going to be an issue. Now I've tried to delete other things on both external drives and they are all stuck in the trash.
Someone please help!

photogirl67 wrote:
I use my external drive for my images (I am a photographer) and use time machine to back up my MacBookPro onto there as well.
Not a good idea, as you've learned the hard way.
And especially bad in the same partition, as you can't just erase the TM partition.
Plus, how do you back up the images?
For best results, consider getting another external HD; one for the images, and one for TM. Then you can have Time Machine back up both your Mac and the external. See Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #32 for details and considerations.
But my question for Pondini is this - if I use that command will it erase that entire drive, or just the trash on it?
Just the trash folders. I've reworded those instructions a bit, hopefully more clearly and safely, and put them in #E6 of Time Machine - Troubleshooting.

My trash won't empty since I upgraded to Lion. Other than using rm -rf ~/.Trash/* in the terminal what can I do. Reparing permissions didn't hpl. regards robin

My trash won't empty since I upgraded to Lion.
Other than using rm -rf ~/.Trash/* in the terminal what can I do. Reparing permissions didn't hpl.
regards
robin

I have the same problem. I can put things into the trash, but when i empty the trash it makes the crumple noise like its throwing it away and the files stay in the trash and the icon stays full. I have 10.7.2. I also have Parallels installed on my machine.
Before this problem, I was unable to add files to my trash can and then I removed this program called CleanMyMac, which I guess wasn't compatible with Lion, and now I can at least add items to the trash can. It seems I am having a lingering issue due to that program.
I have a case with Apple Senior Support Analysts and they can't figure it out...
Please help!! I do not want to format and start all over just to empty my trash can
I also do not want to install Trash It (which would empty the trash i've heard) but will not resolve my issue only cover it up.
Thanks!!

Updated to OS X Y 10.10.3, now my trash won't empty, keeps getting stuck, any ideas?

Updated to OS X Y 10.10.3, now my trash won't empty, it keeps getting stuck, any ideas? Please!

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526 You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
What to do when the Trash won’t empty

Strange file in trash and it won't empty

I have a strange file in trash and it will not empty.
There is an alias file that has a strange name and a date of dec. 31, 1903. It will not go away when I empty. I put other files in the trash to see if they would be deleted and they do, but the other will not be deleted.
In the name of the file there is small characters that say "null" then õ's as well.
I took a few screen shots and posted them on photobucket, Take a look. Any suggestions or theories?
This is a first
Link is http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/pschmidt63/
phil

pschmidt63 wrote:
I have a strange file in trash and it will not empty.
There is an alias file that has a strange name and a date of dec. 31, 1903. It will not go away when I empty. I put other files in the trash to see if they would be deleted and they do, but the other will not be deleted.
On the Mac there are actually multiple Trashes. The user Trash ".Trash" in user's home folder, and multiple (depending on number of volumes in machine) ".Trashes" folder(s) one each in root of volume. In the ".Trashes" folder there can be a trash folder for the user.
It looks like you have a corrupted/illegal character file which you can't delete via the UI. Via the terminal you may be able to. But... you have to go to the "trash" where the file actually is - and it may not be in "~/.Trash". But in the Mac desktop you will see it in your Trash icon.
Have a look at my post here
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5864381#5864381
and the rest of the thread.
Get into Terminal and check your home trash folder, see if the file is there then go to the other trash folders ".Trashes" and look for it there and kill it with "sudo" command as shown in my other post here.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5864569#5864569
*Can you let us know if this solves it for you* - as I am interested to know if this is definite fix.
Cheers

Need Help Desperately!! Trash won't empty!

Hi
I've had this problem for over a month now and I've just sat here for about an hour trying to fix it.
I've got a .html file in the trash and I just can't get rid of it. It's called: Tiếng Việt.html (which in itself looks suspicious to me).
Anyway, when you try to find info on the file, it just says "fetching" and never actually tells you anything. I've also tried opening it in Safari for info and Dreamweaver but get error messages.
I've tried emptying the trash normally and secure empty trash, but nothing.
Then, as a last resort I went to Terminal. Now normally I don't like to use terminal because I once deleted all the files off my desktop by using it!! Lucky I didn't make a bigger mistake though.
I know I typed the command properly this time though, because I got a message saying "command completed" or something along those lines. But no, it was still there.
So, I did it as follows and this was the result I got:
Last login: Sun Sep 10 10:39:25 on ttyp1
Welcome to Darwin!
You have new mail.
[Macintosh:~] caroline% sudo -s
Password:
[Macintosh:~] root# rm -R /Users/caroline/.Trash/untitled\ folder/
rm: /Users/caroline/.Trash/untitled folder//Legal.localized/Tiếng Việt.html: No such file or directory
rm: /Users/caroline/.Trash/untitled folder//Legal.localized: Directory not empty
rm: /Users/caroline/.Trash/untitled folder/: Directory not empty
[Macintosh:~] root# exit
exit
[Macintosh:~] caroline%
What's confusing me is that it says "no such file or directory" and then "Directory not empty".
I've tried changing it's permission with 3rd party program's and am often given another error message!
I'm worried it's spyware (if it actually exists for a mac!) or something equally sinister. Is it worth doing a virus check?
I've even resored disk permissions...anything else I should try?

Hi
I'm worried it's spywareNo, this is a known problem with certain special characters in filenames. I won't go into tedious detail, since it seems Apple may have fixed it.
Someone else with this problem manage to cure it by running Repair Disk from the Install disk and then using Secure Empty Trash. I don't know that the "Secure" made any difference, it is the disk repair that counts. If it doesn't work after trying Disk Utility, run fsck instead:
Mac OS X: About Using Disk Utility and fsck for File System Maintenance
Let us know if this helps!

HT1526 trash won't empty no matter what I tried

I had this problem before and I had fixed it after spending at least 3 or 4 hours online reading information from others, now after installing this new osx whatever, it brought back the bad trash again, which won't empty.. it says you cant open the trash now because it is being used for another task.. it shows that there are 3 documents it is trying to empty but it is doing nothing.. and there are no 'x' button so I can't kill it.. can someone give me a tip. I have already installed the 'trash it application but it is not working now since the trash is occupied. HELP apple!

So, you've tried doing a secure empty trash, and you've tried holding the option key down when choosing to empty the trash, or holding the shift and option keys when choosing to empty the trash? If you've tried those and they haven't worked, see this Apple note and read the last section on deleting locked files. OnyX also has a force trash empty function.

My trash won't empty on my macbook pro, what do I do?

First off, my trash has been 'emptying' for over two days now and the status bar has not moved at all.
Secondly, when I try to stop emptying, it will just say emptying and not do anything.
Thirdly, my mac will not restart unless I exit out of the finder (trash) but because it will not stop emptying I cannot restart unless I hold down the power button.
How do I fix this and/or get the trash to empty?
I currently have 581 files waiting to be deleted, is it because I have so many items?

Select  ▹ Force Quit... from the menu bar, then select Finder and press return. From the Finder menu bar, select Finder ▹ Preferences ▹ Advanced and uncheck the box labeled Empty Trash securely. Try again to empty the Trash. If you still have problems, follow the instructions in this support article:
You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash

After recent update to Mountain Lion, trash won't empty completely; says "item" inuse

After recent update to Mountain Lion, trash will not empty completely. Always an item left in trash, and I get message that the "item is in use." Right now, using app Trash it! to get rid of that left behind item.

Try rebuilding Trash and see if that sorts it...
Launch Terminal and copy & paste these commands:
Go to /Applications /Utilities/Terminal and launch it.
At the prompt, copy and paste this command
sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash
Press Return.
You will be asked to enter your admin password. It will be invisible.
Enter it and press Return.
Log out and back in or restart.
Let us know.

Strange items in trash, and they won't empty out.

A couple of days ago, I noticed these really odd items in the trash. They won't open, and if I try to empty the trash they just stay there. Restarting doesn't work.

Hi,
Go here for help with that.
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Carolyn

My trash won't empty

When I try to empty my trash, it takes forever, when suddenly it gets stuck. It's stuck for about half an hour before I try stopping it. After another half hour of waiting for it to stop, I restart Finder from the cmd + alt + esc window. I have checked OFF the "Secure empty trash" in the Finder preferences. Now what do I do?

There is a beta version of 10.7 OnyX here, it has a stubborn trash delete option (the 10.6 version does anyway)
http://www.titanium.free.fr/index.php
I haven't tried it out yet because I haven't installed Lion yet, but OnyX is a long time, best used Mac utility and won't do anything it it's power to hurt your machine if all possible.
Lion is new, so is the new OnyX, such is the way with new things.
Thanks for beta testing Lion

Preview and Trash won't empty

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