When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003). FWIW, there are nearly 3000 items in my Trash - although this does not seem the source of the problem.

Have you read for possible solutions over in the "More Like This" thread over here?----------------------->

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I'm trying to delete files from and external disk and i get this: The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407) can somebody help me? files do not get deleted..and the trash not emptied.. thanks

I'm trying to delete files from an external disc and it doesn't let me couse this pops up:
The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -1407)
Please what does it mean? I also have a file in the trash of my mac book named something similar to: a'*.'*.'*'.*.
and this cannot be deleted either..
Please let me know what I can do.
I also have many files in the external disc that I need so I cannot do a format..
Thank you.
Best Regards
Karin

Have you tried putting the file from your Drobo, onto your computer, then onto to the external hard drive?

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

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//

I tried to empty the trash, full of back up file from my hard disk and it just says: "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)"

I have an external hard disk of 319.73 GB that I use as back up memory and where I put all the movies and other files that I can't leave on the computer as they occupy too much memory space . One day I was deleting all the previous dated back up to have more space on it , but had to stop the trash for doing it cause it was taking too long and now every time that I try to empty the trash it just says "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)" and even if I press CONTINUE it won't empting it . I'm not really pratical with this things and I tried already to find out the solution here and on Google but apparently nobody ever had a similar error code and I don't know what else to do.
I've a MacBook Pro with a Mac OS X 10.6.8 Version.
Thanks again for the help and sorry if I did some english mistakes !
PEACE & LOVE

Hey donnie90,
It seems like this article might be the best for helping you address this issue:
You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1526
Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

My 15" MacBook Pro (early 2008) will not empty the trash can.The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

My 15" MacBook Pro (early 2008) will not empty the trash can.The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

Just the Option key. Third from the left on the bottom row.
If that does not work, try the more elaborate steps described here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20020873-263.html

Empty trash The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

I can't empty my trash. The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).
I have started up in a guest account and that show empty trash bucket.
I have use 'option' or all three, control, option, command. and nothing works.
This has been a problem for about 3 weeks now.
I have an external WD hardrive for back up, these are the files that I try to erase - and I have unlocked each one, still no luck....
Can some one give me a hint what to do?
Jan

Don;
Plus all of you that have tried to help me with my 'empty trash' problem. I have it solved!
I am running a Western Digital external hard drive. I phoned them just now and they asked me to unplug the WD drive, and I reset the back up occasions, it was backing up every hour, which was way too often. The trash emptied when I unplugged and now I have rebooted and the trash is still empty
Thanks to all who gave me suggestions as to what I needed to do to empty my trash can! It had more than 1600 items living there. What a relief.
Jan

I get this message "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)" when I try and add any files to my Time Capsule

I get this message "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)" when I try and add or delete any files to my Time Capsule. It just started happening a week ago.

I would get an external drive today and copy all your stuff off the TC.. forget trying to load more onto it. There is a good chance after 3years (A 2TB should be only about 2years tops), the disk or the TC itself is on the way out. Do it immediately. If TM is also failing to backup you need to recognise symtoms of impending doom.
Unfortunately the error messages are archane and it is hard to discover their meaning.
You also cannot verify a network drive.. you can verify the TM sparsebundle though so do that.
A5. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Reboot the whole network from off.. certainly if you run later OS it can simply lose the drive..
If you still fail to be able to copy to the TC.. then get that external and copy off it. Tell us if you can do that.

I have one folder on an XSAN that one machine can not make changes to. Whenever I try to duplicate or copy a file in this folder I get 'The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).'?

I have one folder on an XSAN that one machine can not make changes to. Whenever I try to duplicate or copy a file in this folder I get 'The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).'
The permissions are fine, and I have trashed the finder plist and reset the NVRAM.
Anyone have a answer?
Thanks

Tips I received so far (thanks to A-Mac via Twitter http://www.a-mac.nl and Remco Kalf http://www.remcokalf.nl/)
- make sure you have at least 10% of your harddisk in free space (I had only 5%).
- do a PRAM-reset (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379)
- perform a hardware test (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509)
- make a complete backup (with for example Carbone Clone Copier, see http://www.bombich.com/)
- after complete backup: use diskwarrior (boot from Diskwarrior DVD, first perform diagnostics, then perform "Rebuild" which rebuilds your file directory).
So far I only cleared up some space on my HD, and already the problem occurs less.
Still, I will go through the other tips too.
(will post progress)

I keep on getting this error when i try to copy files to my 2T Time Capsule, Please help im running out of space on my MacBook Pro.... The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)

I keep on getting this error when i try to copy files to my 2T Time Capsule, Please help im running out of space on my MacBook Pro....
The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)

I would get an external drive today and copy all your stuff off the TC.. forget trying to load more onto it. There is a good chance after 3years (A 2TB should be only about 2years tops), the disk or the TC itself is on the way out. Do it immediately. If TM is also failing to backup you need to recognise symtoms of impending doom.
Unfortunately the error messages are archane and it is hard to discover their meaning.
You also cannot verify a network drive.. you can verify the TM sparsebundle though so do that.
A5. http://pondini.org/TM/Troubleshooting.html
Reboot the whole network from off.. certainly if you run later OS it can simply lose the drive..
If you still fail to be able to copy to the TC.. then get that external and copy off it. Tell us if you can do that.

When I try to move files from my mac (v10.8.5) to my external harddrive I get the error message The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).

When I try to move files from my imac (v10.8.5) to my external harddrive I get the error message "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)." How can I resolve this? Thank you.

Some other things to look at.
https://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=The+operation+cannot+be+completed+b ecause+an+unexpected+error+occurred+(error+code+-50

Been trying to burn a movie onto DVD and get this "The disc can't be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media" Anybody know what it means and what to do? Help! Thanks

Been trying to burn a movie onto DVD and get this "The disc can’t be burned, because the device failed to calibrate the laser power level for this media" Anybody know what it means and what to do? Help! Thanks

It generally means that the media is faulty or of poor quality. Most of us here use Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden media.
OR
Your Superdrive may need a clean.
If you have further questions please state what Mac, with what versions of OS X, iMovie and iDVD you are using.

Is anyone else receiving "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)" when attempting to transfer files from laptop to LaCie external HD?

This issue has only developed since upgrading the OS to Mavericks. I've been unable to save files to my LaCie external hard drive. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've tried looking here for the code -.50, but nothing comes up.

I have the same problem. I am not able to write to my external drives when I wake my computer (I can read from them though). I get the same message as you do. My only solution is to force eject my drive and reconnect it. I am not sure if this is related to Mavericks but this did not happen before. Anybody else experiencing this or have a better solution?

The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items. ive moved these files from my sd card to the trash, when i take out the sd card the trash empties but then fills up when i put it back in, it wont empty.

The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items. ive moved these files from my sd card to the trash, when i take out the sd card the trash empties but then fills up when i put it back in, it wont empty.

In the Finder, press the key combination shift-command-C, or select
Go ▹ Computer
from the menu bar. A window will open showing all mounted volumes. Select the one in question and open the Info window. What is shown as the Format in the General section?

Cannot empty trash: "The operation can't be completed because the item ...

I've been having trouble emptying the trash. I get the following error, "The operation can’t be completed because the item "_file name_" is in use."
I've tried unlocking the files, but the unlock doesn't seem to stick.
I'm not sure if this is related, but a couple of months ago, I had a repair done and since then some of my software have required me to enter my license information again; apparently it looked as if I was running the programs on a different machine.
Anyone have tips/solns?

Thank you!
I ended up sticking the startup disc in, restarting while holding down the "c" key, and "using the Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs function of the Reset Paswoord function of the Utilities menu."
It worked perfectly; I now have an empty trash can.

Firefox is unable to update to 7.0.1. I get an error that The operation can't be completed because the item "libsmime3.dylib" is in use. I found this is a Cisco folder, tried to trash it, but it won't leave. Maybe I need it?

The operation can’t be completed because the item “libsmime3.dylib” is in use.
This is the error message I get when i try to install the 7.0.1 update. I found a cisco folder on my MAC and tried to Trash it. It won't leave. Maybe I need it... Some of it did Trash, but what ever is left continues to prevent 7.0.1 from installing.

OK I looked at an old Apple forum and someone suggested Trash then Restart then Empty Trash, and it worked. Cisco is gone, Opt is gone, and I was able to load FireFox. I had to give admin passwords to do this too. Why an old weird game or library folder could cause such obstacles is a wonder. But I'd rather wonder about other things...

When trying to empty trash, (securely or not), I get this: The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).

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