Trash won't empty

Tazzie

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I'm unable to empty my Trash (OS X 10.7.5) of backup files deleted from an external hard drive.

I'm not running any anti-virus software and have recently updated software and rebooted, still no luck.

Any suggestions?

Thanks heaps!

Jane :)
 
bobtomay

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Re-connect the external drive and then try it again.
 
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Tazzie

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Thanks for suggestion

bobtomay said:
Re-connect the external drive and then try it again.
Click to expand...

I disconnected hard drive and the trash deleted, yay!

Sadly though, when I reconnected the external drive, the trash reappeared. Bugger.

Guess I'm back to the drawing board ...
 
chscag

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Sadly though, when I reconnected the external drive, the trash reappeared. Bugger.
Click to expand...

You're supposed to empty the trash with the external hard drive connected not the other way around! ;)
 
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Tazzie

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Yes, I tried that first ...

chscag said:
You're supposed to empty the trash with the external hard drive connected not the other way around! ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, I tried first, several times, sadly with no success :'(

Jane :)
 
IWT

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Hi Jane

What folks are saying is that "Trash" is directly related to the source which created the trash in the fist place.

So, if you had an external hard drive of any sort (USB included) and you deleted something to trash, the only way you can empty the trash is when you have the same device mounted/attached.

However, sometimes the trash won't empty even when the original source is mounted/attached. One way to solve this is to download the free app OnyX (Google it). But make sure that you download the version specific for your OS, in your case, Lion. Also ensure that your EHD or whatever is mounted/attached.

Once downloaded, open it in the usual way. It will scan your HD and thereafter ask you to verify your admin PW. Do this.

Then, from the options available from the main menu, select, "Cleaning" and then "Trash", then hit "Execute". This will empty all your trashes.

I hope this explains things and helps. Please report back.

Ian
 
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Tazzie

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Thank You!

Hi Ian

Many thanks for your help – OnyX worked!!

Cheers

Jane :)



IWT said:
Hi Jane

What folks are saying is that "Trash" is directly related to the source which created the trash in the fist place.

So, if you had an external hard drive of any sort (USB included) and you deleted something to trash, the only way you can empty the trash is when you have the same device mounted/attached.

However, sometimes the trash won't empty even when the original source is mounted/attached. One way to solve this is to download the free app OnyX (Google it). But make sure that you download the version specific for your OS, in your case, Lion. Also ensure that your EHD or whatever is mounted/attached.

Once downloaded, open it in the usual way. It will scan your HD and thereafter ask you to verify your admin PW. Do this.

Then, from the options available from the main menu, select, "Cleaning" and then "Trash", then hit "Execute". This will empty all your trashes.

I hope this explains things and helps. Please report back.

Ian
Click to expand...
 
IWT

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Delighted it worked Jane and thanks for reporting back. By doing so, others with a similar problem in the future can follow this thread.

OnyX, as you will have seen by now, is a powerful tool; to be used sparingly. But when you have a problem with your Mac, it often solves it.

Good luck.

Ian
 
cradom

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Also you can try holding down Option while emptying the trash.
 

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