Trash not empting

Question

My trash is not emptying under secure empty or empty trash. it is just running and running. I can't force quit and I can't restart computer. I am not sure if I should just shut it down? I can't even open the trash. I am running Mac OSX 10.7.5 Forgot to say that Emptying trash is still running for over 2 hours and won't stop the progress line has not moved..

Answer 1

Hey sj0815,
If you're still experiencing issues emptying your trash, I'd try out some of the following solutions:
Solution
Try these steps to empty the Trash:
Hold down the Option key while emptying the Trash.
Start up the computer with extensions off and empty the Trash.
Start up the computer from the Mac OS disc and empty the Trash.
Verify and repair the disk with Disk First Aid or other appropriate repair utility.
If the file is locked, hold down the Option key while choosing Empty Trash from the Special menu. If it is a hard disk error, it is important to repair the issue since it may become worse and other files may be damaged or lost.
To repair the hard disk's directory structure, start up the computer from the Mac OS disc and verify or repair the hard disk with Disk First Aid. If Disk First Aid finds an error but is unable to repair it, consider backing up the hard disk and reinitializing it with Drive Setup or other appropriate utility.
There is one more technique you can try, but depending on the cause of the issue, it may not work. If the following steps don't help, or if the issue reappears, you should initialize the hard disk to completely correct the issue.
The following file and folder names are not important, just the concept.
1. Create a folder on the desktop called Test.
2. Drag the file in question from the Trash to the Test folder.
3. Open the application program used to create the file. (If you do not have the original application, use SimpleText.)
4. Create a new file, and save it to the desktop with the same name as the problematic file.
5. Drag the file you just saved from the desktop to the Test folder. You are prompted to replace the file. Replace it. This should eliminate the file.
If this technique does not work, and emptying the Trash still does not erase the file, back up hard disk and reinitialize it using Drive Setup or other appropriate disk formatting utility.
Mac OS: Troubleshooting a File that Won't Go Away
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA26953
Sincerely,
David