Unknown file in trash--Keeps reappearing

I do not have any experience at all with UNIX and would not want to do that if I can help it. Someone would have to post explicit directions on how to empty the trash that way. You'd think there would be a simpler way to empty a trash can!

It's not that difficult, and sounds a lot scarier than it is. Just never listen to anyone who tells you to run the command "rm -rf /" and you are off to a good start.

Sometimes files have a way of getting "stuck", and you have to sort of force them. Maybe a bit crude of an example, but think of it like a clogged toilet in need of a little plunging. Nobody really likes doing it, but it's sometimes necessary.

And every Mac user should have at least some rudimentary Unix skills. Enough to navigate the file system and do simple things like copy and delete files. You don't need to know what every single command does, just a few basics to deal with issues like this when they come along.

Can you post exact instructions on emptying the trash through the terminal? Is that what needs to be done? I tried to find this at Apple.com and couldn't but maybe I was not searching exactly right. I did see a site that gave instructions on how to do it but it also gave the warning that "dire consequences" can occur if the commands are not typed in exactly right. This is what makes me not want to do it. Right now a file that won't go away and that's in the trash is not hurting anything. I won't trash my machine to fix this by inadvertently making a mistake in the terminal!

I'm not sure what's worse: giving dangerously bad advice when you don't know what you are talking about or deliberately being malicious to someone legitimately seeking help. Either way, this advice from Jimmy is BAD, BAD, BAD!

rm -rf /

is a command that would attempt to remove every file from the hard drive!

Even without administrator privileges, it would remove all of a user's files--precious photos, e-mail, everything!

I'll provide a better example later in the thread where Jill is probably reading.

Don't worry.....I don't plan on using the terminal to do anything about this unless I call into Apple and have a tech walk me through it. I do not want to inadvertently erase anything or cause huge problems for myself over a file that does not appear to be hurting me at all and is only a nuisance! I can start up in single user and run the utility and that's about the extent to which I want to enter code into my computer to try to get things done! I know my limitations, and the limits on what I'm willing to try without expert help.

see the post following that one


P

I downloaded and ran the BatChmod app to empty the trash and now I can't see the file but it's still there! The trash says there's one item but when I open it I can't see the file anymore! Now what?

Well, i have and use Path Finder as my default file viewer and it has "show invisible" files feature i find helpful for many different reasons ( such as checking the contents of an application ) : you can pick up a copy from http://cocoatech.com/ and try before you buy it to check out that "invisible" feature. It comes in Leopard and SnowLeopard flavours.

Personally speaking I would download Path Finder and "see" the invisible file BUT before zapping it I would contact Cocoatech asking for their guidance towards zapping that invisible file. I can't recall how you got it into the trash barrel. Perhaps it should be moved back to where it belongs. I am always cautious before i zapp those invisible files unless if know that doing so will not upset the UNIX component of OS X.

I'll download and try Pathfinder. I don't know how this file got into the trash--it just showed up there a few weeks ago. I don't recognize it and can't get info on it. Now I can't see it either!

sometimes it's just computer voodoo.

Personally i would not worry about it unless you have a programme ( DRAG THING ) that shows that old OS 9 and prior trash barrel on the desktop whereby that barrel is always bulging and it bugs you.

But see what the folks at Path Finder tell you how to get rid of that invisible or file or put it back to where it should be if that's the case or doable.

Well......maybe I'm doing something wrong but the file in my home folder ".Trash" which I assume to be my trash can, shows nothing there but the trash can on the desktop says there's one item but shows nothing. I give up. I think it's a gremlin.

It has an option of force emptying the Trash. Helped many before.

Well........so far three different apps that have a force trash empty feature did not work. I'm not sure I want to keep downloading one app after another. I'll give it some thought. Thanks for the suggestions!

and Disk Warrior was run not from the booted computer but you booted from DW disk. Another (may be lame but why not?) suggestion is to reapply OS combo update for your system.

Yes---I ran Disk Warrior from the CD. What "combo-update" am I supposed to re-apply? Any combo-updates would not have been recent. I install regularly with the software-update app so whatever has installed has come from that. This file has been in the trash now for so many weeks that I don't remember when it actually showed up or if it's related to an Apple update being installed......

unless it is the first in the number (10.4.1, 10.5.1, etc.). This is because incremental updates may have small glitches that are usually not seen in combo updates (like 10.4.1 to 10.4.11 in one update is combo). You did not specify your OS version. It can be found if you click on the Apple logo at the top left screen corner and select "about this Mac". The latest updates are: for Tiger 10.4.11, for Leopard 10.5.8, for Snow Leopard 10.6.3. They are all available for free from Apple. Just Google for combo 10.4.11 (10.5.8, 10.6.3) and download the dmg file and install. This is a harmless procedure and might correct the problem. I agree with Jimmy Greystone about using Terminal as well. This link has all the instructions (starting from emptying Trash using Option key; I also like the idea of deleting .Trash directory): http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html
Good luck!

see if you can drag it to desktop using finder, rename it and lock the file using a password. drop it back into trash with another file. empty trash, it will tell you you cannot emtt trash due to a file being protected, go to "get info", unlock file, empty trash again. I had the same type of experience and this worked for me.... don't know why!

I can't take the file out of the trash or even get info on it. As soon as I try to get info, the info box pops in and out in a flash and the file disappears until I open the trash again. Same thing with trying to drag it out. It just disappears completely and the reappears in the trash.

I already downloaded and tried Onyx. it did not work. I tried Path Finder to empty the trash. It did not work so I deleted the .Trash file with Path Finder and it did not work. I tried using the terminal and deleting the trash directory and that did not work.

Macnerd10---Are you saying that one of the automatic updates from Apple caused this file to appear and that installing the combo update over what I already have will fix it? Do you think that doing this adversely affect my computer in any other ways??

I'm more than a little hesitant to reinstall an update from a year ago! I have no idea what that might do. Couldn't I end up with much bigger problems than a phantom trash file?

After you apply it, launch Software update and apply all necessary updates that will show up. This is a standard procedure and I never heard that it would harm the computer. It will just refresh the software and eliminate small errors that might have appeared. I have personally done that several times and never had a problem.
However, if you are hesitant, first do two things.
1. Go to sysprefs>accounts, click on the padlock, input your admin password and create a new account. Click on "allow this account to administer the computer. Give it a separate password. Log out-login into the new account. If the problem is still there, you have a system-wide issue and a combo update could be recommended. However, I am not God and only give you suggestion. There is no 100% guarantee that it will work.
2. Follow the instructions in the link that I provided, go to Terminal and try to get rid of that file as they recommend. Nothing wrong with that either. Don't forget to restart afterwards.
3. If you are hesitant about so many things, you could possibly leave that file alone if the machine works fine otherwise. If you really want to get rid of it, do something. You have plenty of opportunities to try. The link you now have has several options for you. We are not here to ruin your computer or work, just trying to help. If you do not believe what is being said here, research the problem yourself on Google or go to other forums, like finetunedmac.com. But I doubt that you would be offered with a radically different advise.

I can't over write the file because I can't reproduce the file name. It' broken horizontally. I'd post a photo of it in the trash but this site does not appear to allow attachments.

The file name is: NNN NN

Yes it's too late but i would not buy Microsoft if it was the only system available. I'd do without!