External HD won't delete files

MacLover2011 · MacLover2011 #1 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 05:34 AM

I want to delete some empty files on my new external hard drive. It won't let me. Can anyone tell me how to safety trash the few files I don't want? I'm using OS X Lion.
Thank you.

mrplow · mrplow #2 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 06:29 AM

Do you receive an error?

What file system is the drive formatted with?

MacLover2011 · MacLover2011 #3 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrplow

Do you receive an error?

What file system is the drive formatted with?

It says the hard drive is running at this time. I formatted it in Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

mrplow · mrplow #4 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 08:49 AM

Sounds like another process is using the disk. Sorry to ask the same thing but do you have the exact wording of the error? maybe a screen shot?

MacLover2011 · MacLover2011 #5 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 09:46 AM

No problem at all.
This is what is says

Quote:

“Back Ups” can’t be opened right now because it’s being used by another task, such as moving or copying an item or emptying the Trash. Try again when the current task is complete."

mrplow · mrplow #6 (**permalink**)

03-01-2012, 09:51 AM

If you restart your Mac, then reconnect your disk and try again, do you get the same error?

mrplow #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 01, 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,531 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i7 (2011), iPhone5, iPad3, AppleTV2	03-01-2012, 06:29 AM Do you receive an error? What file system is the drive formatted with? External hard disk acquisition addict - but admitting the problem is the first step to a robust backup Please use the reputation system if you think you've been helped - top right of this post
	QUOTE Thanks

mrplow #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 01, 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,531 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i7 (2011), iPhone5, iPad3, AppleTV2	03-01-2012, 08:49 AM Sounds like another process is using the disk. Sorry to ask the same thing but do you have the exact wording of the error? maybe a screen shot? External hard disk acquisition addict - but admitting the problem is the first step to a robust backup Please use the reputation system if you think you've been helped - top right of this post
	QUOTE Thanks

mrplow #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 01, 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,531 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i7 (2011), iPhone5, iPad3, AppleTV2	03-01-2012, 09:51 AM If you restart your Mac, then reconnect your disk and try again, do you get the same error? External hard disk acquisition addict - but admitting the problem is the first step to a robust backup Please use the reputation system if you think you've been helped - top right of this post
	QUOTE Thanks

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MacLover2011 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 24, 2011 Location: New York City Posts: 128 Mac Specs: i Mac OS X Lion	03-01-2012, 05:34 AM I want to delete some empty files on my new external hard drive. It won't let me. Can anyone tell me how to safety trash the few files I don't want? I'm using OS X Lion. Thank you.
	QUOTE Thanks

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