Can't delete folders in Trash

[bowtiej]

I've had to remove folders from my ext hd because it was full of backups. My only option was to delete and now they're in the trash. I get a message re remove unlocked items or remove all. I choose all and nothing happens.

 

[vansmith]

Your external needs to be plugged in to manage those files in the trash (when in the trash, the icons are really just symbolic representations of the files themselves). Is your ext HD plugged in?

 

[chscag]

Your external hard drive must remain attached and mounted on the desktop in order to remove the items you trashed from it.

Edit: Now how did Bryan beat me to it? Ah, those young fellows are just faster at everything.

 

[bowtiej]

Yes, ext is hooked up.
BTW OSX 10.9.5, 2.9GHz, 8GB 1600MHz DDR3

 

[vansmith]

Edit: Now how did Bryan beat me to it? Ah, those young fellows are just faster at everything.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm usually the one that gets beaten to the punch.

Are there in fact locked files in the trash? Do any of the file icons have little padlocks in the corner?

Note: Please make sure to post your response in the same thread.

 

[bowtiej]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.
I hadn't seen any padlock looking icons with those folders.
As of now my trash can is empty!
No idea why but I'll take it.
Many thanks

; )

 

[bowtiej]

Oops, I'd ejected Time Machine and forgot about it.
I plugged it back in and the folders are back.
They have no size. How do I include a screenshot?

Thanks

 

[vansmith]

You can click the little paperclip icon in the toolbar just above where you enter your post.

 

[MacInWin]

Are these folders part of the backups? If it is, and if it's Time Machine, you shouldn't be doing deletions from Finder. Let TM manage the backups for you.

 

[bowtiej]

The Apple help page had the fix.
Hold down the option key and click on empty trash.
Voila!, files gone.

Thanks all for your time and trouble.

 

[Pakane]

Emptying trash

The Apple help page had the fix.
Hold down the option key and click on empty trash.
Voila!, files gone.

Thanks all for your time and trouble.

This has also helped me to remove "held up" files in the trash. Thank you.