Secure Empty Trash utility stuck

creativepro · creativepro #1 (**permalink**)

03-28-2011, 06:32 AM

I have undertook a secure empty trash a couple of hours ago.

When I returned to my computer, the same number of trash items were registering as the initial number at the start.

I then endeavoured to stop the emptying of the trash - -----it says stopping. However, this message has show for the last 15 min. I am also unable to exit (the x is greyed out).

Please advise
thank you

Sue

Biffo · Biffo #2 (**permalink**)

04-16-2011, 02:45 PM

Turn off your computer,take no notice of this stopping. Turning the computer off will stop this, also if you are lucky your trash should empty. I did not find the answer on this site.
I found it on Answers.com, also i have an application called Super Empty Trash. If this does not work give me an answer back. Biffo

McBie · McBie #3 (**permalink**)

04-16-2011, 02:50 PM

When you do a " Secure Empty Trash ", the OS will overwrite the deleted files with a random pattern, so they can not be recovered.
This writing of the pattern takes time and depending on the number of items in the trash, and the size of the files in the trash this will take time ..... a lot of time.

My suggestion ..... let it finish ....

@ Biffo ..... Turning your computer of when something is not going as expected is so ..... windows. Not good advice.

Cheers ... McBie

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #4 (**permalink**)

04-16-2011, 02:53 PM

I agree, turning the computer off while an operation is in progress could lead to corruption and the likes, which really isn't healthy for the computer.

- Simon

creativepro · creativepro #5 (**permalink**)

04-17-2011, 05:12 AM

Thanks for your input - At the time I had little choice as the Secure Empty trash was stuck it had not moved from the amount needed to be trashed for at least 1 hour -

jim123321 · jim123321 #6 (**permalink**)

04-24-2012, 09:32 PM

Sorry i know this is old but i just encountered this in Lion and found relaunching the finder solved it, i then proceeded to empty the trash again and everything was fine!

creativepro · creativepro #7 (**permalink**)

04-24-2012, 10:45 PM

Not too late Jim - thanks for this- much appreciated

Sue

filminglarry · filminglarry #8 (**permalink**)

01-25-2013, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim123321

Sorry i know this is old but i just encountered this in Lion and found relaunching the finder solved it, i then proceeded to empty the trash again and everything was fine!

Eureka! that worked for me when nothing else did. Thank you so much!

Buzzard2010 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,532 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	04-16-2011, 02:53 PM I agree, turning the computer off while an operation is in progress could lead to corruption and the likes, which really isn't healthy for the computer. - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

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creativepro #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 29, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 10 Mac Specs: Mac 0SX 10.5.7 2.4. GHz Intel Core 2 Duo	03-28-2011, 06:32 AM I have undertook a secure empty trash a couple of hours ago. When I returned to my computer, the same number of trash items were registering as the initial number at the start. I then endeavoured to stop the emptying of the trash - -----it says stopping. However, this message has show for the last 15 min. I am also unable to exit (the x is greyed out). Please advise thank you Sue
	QUOTE Thanks

Biffo #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 02, 2011 Location: UK NE England Posts: 10 Mac Specs: Mac OS X Version 10.6.7	04-16-2011, 02:45 PM Turn off your computer,take no notice of this stopping. Turning the computer off will stop this, also if you are lucky your trash should empty. I did not find the answer on this site. I found it on Answers.com, also i have an application called Super Empty Trash. If this does not work give me an answer back. Biffo
	QUOTE Thanks

creativepro #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 29, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 10 Mac Specs: Mac 0SX 10.5.7 2.4. GHz Intel Core 2 Duo	04-17-2011, 05:12 AM Thanks for your input - At the time I had little choice as the Secure Empty trash was stuck it had not moved from the amount needed to be trashed for at least 1 hour -
	QUOTE Thanks

jim123321 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2011 Posts: 7	04-24-2012, 09:32 PM Sorry i know this is old but i just encountered this in Lion and found relaunching the finder solved it, i then proceeded to empty the trash again and everything was fine!
	QUOTE Thanks

creativepro #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 29, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 10 Mac Specs: Mac 0SX 10.5.7 2.4. GHz Intel Core 2 Duo	04-24-2012, 10:45 PM Not too late Jim - thanks for this- much appreciated Sue
	QUOTE Thanks

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