Strange re-appearing alias file in Trash

Hi guys
I have a slightly bizarre question - there is an alias file that keeps appearing in my Trash called '␀␀␀õ␀␀.␀␀'. If I try to drag it out of the Trash it mystically disappears, and also if I hit command-i it also mystically disappears. Then when I re-open the Trash it magically re-appears again! Emptying the Trash, however, doesn't affect it at all (all other files in the Trash are removed as expected).
Anybody got any ideas of whats going on? It doesn't seem to be causing any problems; it's just a bit bizarre.....
Cheers,
Matt

See my user tip here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6623217
-mj

Similar Messages

  • I can't remove alias files from trash to terminal

    I can't delete files from trash. I tride from terminal but it's imposible to remove from trash to terminal.

    Information.
    Trash FAQ       
    Trash – Empty When File is Locked or in Use

  • Strange characters appearing in File Info

    Using Adobe Bridge CS5 to caption images, I enter metadata into the desired fields (copyright, description etc) but upon opening the same images on a PC running Photoshop CS2 some of the text is converted to garbage. This seems to happen when using quotation marks and copyright symbols.
    EG: My original line of text typed into CS5 might read, John said: "Hello, nice day"
    But in CS2 on the PC it reads, John said:  â?oHello, nice dayâ?
    And the copyright symbol changes from this,
    © Fred Bloggs
    to
    © Fred Bloggs
    Does anyone know why this is happening and if there's any way of preventing it?
    THANKS

    Try setting your NLS_LANG variable to the characterset the data was created in. Doing this allows Oracle to properly convert the data. Assuming this data was created on a Windows computer, I'll assume the codepage on that computer is 1252. You can verify this by looking in the registry settings. If the codepage is 1252, then you need to set your NLS_LANG = AMERICAN_AMERICA.WE8MSWIN1252. Even if you copy the file to a UNIX server before loading the data into the database. It's simply a matter of letting the database know what language you are speaking in so it can properly translate it. Now, if the characterset of the database does not contain that character's code, you would still end up with the inverted '?'.
    I hope this helps.
    Edited by: user10396133 on Nov 23, 2009 1:02 AM

  • Strange file in Trash that just won't go away.

    Since installing Snow Leopard, I have a strange file in the Trash that I can't get rid of. It appears to be a zero KB "Alias" file with "unknown" permissions. At first glance it looks as if it's called \\\Õ\\.Õ\ but the diagonal lines are actually the word "Nul" made up of a superscript 'N', a normal 'u' and a subscript 'l'- all in very small font size.
    I can't drag it out of the Trash to see what it does. It's info window holds no clues, apart from the "unknown permissions" thing.
    I have tried repairing permissions and have since upgraded to 10.6.1 and repaired them again.
    Any suggestions on what this file is - and on how to lose it would be gratefully received.

    Bob Bridges1 wrote:
    Since installing Snow Leopard, I have a strange file in the Trash that I can't get rid of. It appears to be a zero KB "Alias" file with "unknown" permissions. At first glance it looks as if it's called \\\Õ\\.Õ\ but the diagonal lines are actually the word "Nul" made up of a superscript 'N', a normal 'u' and a subscript 'l'- all in very small font size.
    I can't drag it out of the Trash to see what it does. It's info window holds no clues, apart from the "unknown permissions" thing.
    Are you willing to use Terminal to try to eliminate that file? If so, launch Terminal, then type the commands below.
    WARNING: In general, the "rm" command can be very dangerous. That's why the commands below (1) show what's there to be deleted and (2) ask for confirmation for each file to be deleted.
    cd ~/.Trash
    ls -a
    file *
    The "ls" command should show you three things: a single period, a double period, and your mystery file. The "file" command should show you the mystery file and an explanation of what type of file it is. If you're feeling nervous, you might want to mention here the reported type. If all is well so far, type this command
    rm -i *
    You should be prompted for deleting that file. If you like what you see, press the "y" key, then press the <return> key. If you see anything that makes you nervous, either (1) type control-c or (2) press the "n" key, then press the <return> key.
    If the system refused to delete that file, then (if you're feeling brave), type this command:
    sudo rm -i *
    That command will prompt you for your administrative password, then prompt you to delete your mystery file. The same responses apply.

  • 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

  • Bizarre alias file keeps reappearing in Trash Can...

    For the past few weeks, I've had an unknown little file popping up in my Trash Can every time I open up or start up my MacBook Pro.
    The name of the file is "␀␀␀õ␀␀.õ␀" (yes, that's exactly what it looks like), it is exactly zero KB in size, is an alias file, and was modified December 31, 1903 at 8pm. It's frustrating because emptying and securely emptying the trash doesn't get rid of it. However, if I try to move it or Get Info about it, it then disappears only to reappear again when I open up the laptop later.
    I have verified, repaired and then re-verified disk permissions (which corrected some issues with Airport-related files) and I have verified the disk itself (which turned out to be OK, thank God). I also enlisted the help of a brilliant IT friend of mine who had me do some kind of "sudo" command in Terminal where I drag and drop the file into Terminal to get rid of it, but that didn't work (possibly because I may have inserted the file in the middle of the line of code my friend had me enter, and I can't remember exactly what the line of code was so I can't retry it at the moment).
    Since disk permissions and the disk itself appear to be functioning normally I'm not as worried about this little glitch, but at the same time I would much prefer that this gremlin would begone from my system. Please advise! Thanks kindly.

    It's just really odd to me that it would occur in the Mac partition of the drive, since it's an issue with the Windows partition.
    Haven't gotten around to checking it yet, I'll let you know how it goes.

  • Strange Null file in Trash that wont delete.

    I have a strange file in my Trash that I can't delete. It has a name of "␀␀␀␀␀␀␀.␀␀␀". It appears as if all the characters are Null.
    These are the actions I have taken:
    1. Using Tech Tool Pro, performed file system check. Now problems found.
    2. Using Terminal, changed directory to .Trash, performed ls -A and no files were found.
    3. Attempted a delete (rm) of all files in trash. No luck. File remains.
    4. When I select file and do a Get Info, the file disappears and the Trash Icon shows empty, but opening the trash again brings this strange file back.
    5. Tried renaming the file but the rename fails with an error -43.
    6. I booted from another disk and rand Disk utility which found and corrected incorrect file count problem. Still the file persists, and the verify of the disk now returns no errors.
    7. Ran verify disk permissions. No problems found.
    I believe the file first appeared after installing Leopard 10.5.3 update, but I'm not sure if this is related.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Jeff Cameron

    Thank you! That was it.
    Although my Windows Partition is FAT32 instead of NTFS, after booting XP, I found a null file in C:\.Trashes\501\. I could not delete it there either. My next step was to run CHKDSK C: /F, which converted the 501 folder into a file, which I could delete.
    Booting back into OSX, the null file was now gone.
    Thanks again for your help.
    Jeff

  • SOMETHING IS WRONG, I SEND A FILE TO TRASH AND DOES NOT APPEAR IN TRASH, THE TRASH IS EMPTY

    SOMETHING IS WRONG, I SEND A FILE TO TRASH AND DOES NOT APPEAR IN TRASH, THE TRASH IS EMPTY

    I had the same problem. It was solved see the discussion at  https://discussions.apple.com/message/19433909#19433909

  • NUL file in Trash won't go away

    I have a mysterious file in my Trash, that reappears everytime when I open it, and when the trash is emptied it stays there. When I want to see its info, it disappears. Its file type is alias and all letters of its filename are the word NUL written diagonally.
    How can I permanently get rid of this file?

    Thanks for the suggestion. Here's the information from Terminal.
    Last login: Tue Dec 18 11:49:46 on ttys000
    S01060016360c0be1:~ jamesmark$ ls -aOlR .Trash
    total 0
    drwx------ 2 jamesmark jamesmark - 68 18 Dec 10:52 .
    drwxr-xr-x+ 19 jamesmark jamesmark - 646 18 Dec 10:52 ..
    S01060016360c0be1:~ jamesmark$ ls -aOlR /Volumes/*/.Trashes
    /Volumes/Macintosh HD/.Trashes:
    ls: .Trashes: Permission denied
    /Volumes/WINDOWS/.Trashes:
    total 128
    drwxrwxrwx@ 1 jamesmark jamesmark hidden 16384 13 Dec 09:35 .
    drwxrwxrwx 1 jamesmark jamesmark - 16384 18 Dec 10:52 ..
    -rwxrwxrwx 1 jamesmark jamesmark hidden 4096 13 Dec 09:35 ._501
    drwxrwxrwx 1 jamesmark jamesmark - 16384 31 Dec 1969 501
    /Volumes/WINDOWS/.Trashes/501:
    ls: \004␀␀␀õ\001␀␀.õ\001␀: File name too long
    S01060016360c0be1:~ jamesmark$
    It appears the file in the trash is a file from the Windows side of my computer! (**** windows!!!) I suspected this, but still don't know how to remove this file. Suggestions?
    J

  • Mystery File in Trash and Locked Disks

    Hi all,
    Have some weirdness going on with my system. First, I have a mystery file appearing in my trash that can not be identified. It appeared about the same time as I started having problems with three of my external drives that I can not access anymore.
    The file is named ␀␀␀÷␀␀.÷␀ . It says that it is an alias as type. If you try to get info, it disappears. It will not trash or secure trash. It can not be removed from the Trash folder.
    At the same time I have had three external drives start malfunctioning. The files first became unaccessible, could not be copies or delete. The drives would not allow new files to be added. The drive will not unmount and indicates that the drive is engage with an application. Then, the file completely vanish from view. The disk show zero items, but the disk size still indicates the files are still on the drive.
    I've use DiskWarrior and DriveGenius to try and repair one of the drives with no success. Even booting from the CD/DVD disk, the drives will not unmount.
    I hope this is not some kind of virus or trojan horse.
    Let me know if there is something I can do.
    Thanks

    Take a look at this topic: NUL file in Trash won't go away.
    You'll almost certainly find this file is in the Trash on a Windows volume, and you'll need to use Windows to get rid of it.

  • Deleting files from trash folder 10.9.2

    I recently updated to 10.9.2. Nothing seemed to have changed but the trash folder is acting funny. Now I am not able to delete any file from the trash. I select empty trash securely and then the dialog box displaying the number of files to be deleted appears and disappears in 1-2 seconds and the file/s dont get deleted.
    Is there a way out of this?
    Cheers!

    Trash – Can’t Empty or Move File To Trash
    Trash – Empty When File is Locked or in Use
    Try holding down the option button while trying to delete the Trash. If that doesn’t work, here is some more information.
    Trash FAQ          
    Trash Permission Error
    Trash Permission Error (2)

  • How do I retrieve a file from Trash using Time Machine in Mavericks?

    Is it even possible to retrieve a file from Trash from a Time Machine backup? Does Time Machine even back up the Trash? I've been told a total restore from a Time Machine backup will put the past Trash back on the Mac, but what if I just want to restore an individual file?
    Shortly after emptying my Trash on my Mac (10.9.4) for the first time in weeks, I realized I needed one of the files I'd just erased. Trying to retrieve with Time Machine was not fruitful, however, because I couldn't find the file on any of the past backups using the normal Enter Time Machine interface. However, I know it would have been in the Trash during all of the most recent backups.
    So I researched how to find the backups of Trash with Time Machine, but I think all of the solutions I found on various online forums were pre-Mavericks and do not seem to work now. I've basically tried 2 things:
    Show Trash in Finder using the Terminal command: open ~/.Trash
    It shows the hidden Trash folder in Finder, located in Macintosh HD/Users/User. For easy access, I added the .Trash folder to the Finder Sidebar. But I can't get to it in the backups. The Trash shortcut in the Finder Sidebar is always grayed out in the old backups using the Time Machine app. And it does not show up in ~ when looking through the backups.backupdb folder on my external HD.
    I also tried the Terminal command to show all hidden files in Finder: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
    But while many hidden files do suddenly appear in Finder, curiously, the User's .Trash folder is not one. This is true for the Finder of the Mac, the backups.backupdb folder on the External HD, and Time Machine app.
    Thanks.

    How do I retrieve a file from my backup in Time Capsule?
    It depends on the type of file that you are trying to retreive.
    In general.....
    Open Time Machine by clicking on the clock icon on the dock
    Wait a few minutes for Time Machine to fully load
    Use the timeline at the far right of the window to go back in time to a date when the file was still on your Mac
    Click that date
    Navigate using the Finder interface to locate the file that you want
    Click on the file to highlight it
    Click Restore at the lower right of the window to be brought back to the present
    You have to retrieve other types of files differently. For details, see:
    http://pondini.org/TM/28.html

  • Can't empty file in trash under 9.2.2 or OS.X.3.9

    I have read the posts and tried the different options of emptying trash and can't get rid of this pesky folder.
    I was transferring files from a Jaz drive to an internal drive which is titled a workdrive. Some error messages came up that stated certain files could not be read due to disk errors.
    I am trying to empty the trash to delete the files and I get two types of errors. One says error code -127 and the other says it cannot find the files. I have restarted several times in OS9.2.2. Still can't delete them. I transferred the files back to my work drive and restarted under OS.X.3.9.
    Under OS.X.3.9 I moved the files to trash and tried to empty the trash. The error now says files are in use and can't be emptied. I have tried using the option delete, the commandshift+ctrldelete. I have tried using the secure trash option. I have tried holding a click down over the trash icon but the menu dropdown list doesn't appear as one post claims. I have restarted OSX and still not able to delete. If I use the eject the drive option for the work drive then the files disappear out of the trash along with the workdrive icon.
    I'm not comforable using "Terminal" since this is a company owned machine and don't want to risk causing a major problem.
    Please don't chastise about not researching before posting because I have researched and the solutions aren't working. Most posts I have read deal with OSX trash problems but my problem began in OS 9.2.2.
    The computer I'm working on is a G4 Quicksilver, 933 mhz, Ram unknown. It has a system drive and a 2nd drive. entitled workdrive.
    Thanks for any help solving this frustrating problem.
    Ymir
    Powermac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   933 mgz
    Powermac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   933 mgz
    Powermac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   933 mgz

    Hi Tom,
    I have been to that site and that is where I read about using Terminal. That seems to be the only option I have left. I don't own this machine and don't have the cd's or the permission to use Terminal. I will have to refer this to my next level of tech support. I wanted to try to solve this before doing that action. Thanks everyone for the info!
    Ymir

  • Not all files copied to burn folders are showing up as alias files.

    I am trying to perform a very trivial function of burning JPEGS on my DVD.  I've done it tons of times with minimal issues.
    However, recently, I have noticed a consistent issue in the burn folder:
    When I try to place JPEGS from a master/original folder to a burn folder on my desktop, I notice that most all files will correctly be "alias" files (as expected).  However, there are a few (one or two) that will show up as JPEG files.  That JPEG file size is smaller than the original, which leads me to believe that it is having trouble making it an alias file.  When I click on that JPEG file in the burn folder, I get the following error "the file 'xyz.jpg' could not be opened.  It may be damaged or use a file format that preview doesn't recognize."  However, when I open that file from the origina source, it opens fine.
    When I "get info" properties, I notice that in the general file information section, it does not show the original source location (as it does when looking at the alias "get info" properties.)
    So what I have to do at this point is delete the false JPEG file image in the burn folder, and individually replace that with the file from the original source.  At that point, it makes it an alias file.
    Although I found a work around to get files burned, I want to fix this so this does not happen when I am placing large amounts of files in burn folder.  As it is, I can no longer trust the burn folder and have to inspect it before I burn to make sure all files are alias files. 
    Anybody experience this and have a way to fix this in the system?
    Many of you probably are experiencing this, but if you are not checking your burn folder, it will just look like a corrupt file on your CD/DVD.
    Thanks for your help.
    Jeff

    Hi all, thanks for your suggestions thus far.  Here is some additional information and initial answers to your comments.
    I am still having the issue.  Currently, what I do is export full res files from my master RAWs using Aperture 3.  To do this, we create an export folder on desktop or any other specific storage location.  We then use the burn folders as a simple method to create an immediate backup DVD of the JPEGS.  As described above I am using the drag and drop technique currently to move images into the burn folder, as we have a few different labeled burn folders in our workflow. 
    I am not using iPhoto at all for this process, as all of my images are managed with Aperture 3.  However, since the files/exports coming out of A3 seem to be fine, I am not currently questioning the integrity of the export.
    I am going to try to use the burn folder technique from finder as BRB8910 suggests as an alternate method and report back on the outcome.
    But Here is a revised issue of the initial stated problem:
    I went back to my desktop to do some additional testing and tried a new condition...keeping the burn folder closed down.
    On my desktop, I created a new burn folder called "burn tester 2".  I left it unopened and dragged the same master images from the same master folder directly into the folder collapsed down.  ANd guess what?  All the alias images seem to appear in the "Burn Tester 2" burn folder fine.
    NOW, here is the newly discovered issue.  I removed the alias files in the "Burn Tester 2" Burn folder.  For my next test, I opened the empty burn folder.  So know I have an empty open burn folder window.  I then opened my master folder and highlighted all the master JPEG images and dragged them into the same "Burn Tester 2
    burn folder that is now open.  Guess what?  The issue remains.  I will get some files that copy in as corrupt JPEG files along with mostly Alias files. 
    I deleted the burn tester 2 burn folder all together, and recreated a third virgin burn folder and this time opened first.  when I dragged images to the freshly created and open burn foldder 3, I get the same issue.  When I delete the burn folder contents and collapse (close) the burn folder window, I then drag images to that burn folder 3 directly on the desktop (while closed), and then all the Alias files seem to drag in fine, with no JPEGs.
    So it appears after my testing, I discovered that this issue only happens when I copy into a burn folder that is an open window.
    I am just really confused as to why this is happening.
    Hope this provides additional insight.  BTW:  Yes, I did reboot my system prior to retesting and I am using MAC OS 10.6.8 MacPro Quad Core with 8 GB RAM.
    Jeff

  • I have an alias file that will not delete or drag and it will not open to original file. How do I get these off my Mac?

    I have an alias file that will not delete or drag and it will not open to original file. I have tried everything I know and they still wont delete. Can someone please help me?

    Check out KB Article:  http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526 You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash 

Maybe you are looking for