Stupid trash can! can someone help me out lol (turn off SIP via recovery command resolved my issues)

[DimaVR]

so I cant empty my trash can? i tried to google and run some commands to empty and its still stuck, tried a new suer profile, same thing? even tried to rename the folder inside the trash wish worked but still cannot empty the trash can? I had this issue since Catalina Beta and big sur didnt help fix the issue? its so annoying, it doesnt take up any space really just cant get the stupid folder out of there, and cannot restore it?


i dont know anymore, all the Gurus please help

 

[slooksterPSV]

Have you ran the disk utility and completely restarted your Mac?

 

[hobowankenobi]

Looks like you trashed some things that should not be trashed...per Apple. They protect more and more with each OS, typically through hidden ACLs. One of the errors looks like a process or app is in use (file open, or app/service running).

If you can figure out what it is you can quit or kill the process. Then you may be able to delete.

First, are you sure these are not essential? If yes, you need to kill the process and/or change permissions to delete the files. Here is someone else wondering what about the same thing. If this is running (in use) you may be able to kill it via Activity Monitor.

As far as permissions, at least up to 10.14 you could do as you please as root, but you would have to enable root first...and be careful. I have not verified from 10.15 or later if that has changed.

 

[DimaVR]

Have you ran the disk utility and completely restarted your Mac?

yes
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Looks like you trashed some things that should not be trashed...per Apple. They protect more and more with each OS, typically through hidden ACLs. One of the errors looks like a process or app is in use (file open, or app/service running).

If you can figure out what it is you can quit or kill the process. Then you may be able to delete.

First, are you sure these are not essential? If yes, you need to kill the process and/or change permissions to delete the files. Here is someone else wondering what about the same thing. If this is running (in use) you may be able to kill it via Activity Monitor.

As far as permissions, at least up to 10.14 you could do as you please as root, but you would have to enable root first...and be careful. I have not verified from 10.15 or later if that has changed.

the folder is empty in the trash and i cannot restore it? and i cannot delete it ?? i have no idea what process it belong to?

 

[DimaVR]

also get these if i try to delete the items but i only see a folder inside my trash can and i tried, to do this and its still same issue.... i need some hardcore commands via terminal, under root in recovery console maybe?

 

[DimaVR]

its been like this for a year, i dont remeber exactly what was deleted, but def something i know i didnt need and sinc i been using Beta OS for the last 4 years, i though it was a bug, but now like 6-7 betas later still an issue, so trying to figure this out! cant do **** with the empty folder inside the trash can. At some point i renamed it inside the bin, so i have no idea what the original name it was ir where it went since it wont restore the folder either.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Could be an invisible item in the folder. You cant toggle visibility via a command, or a free helper tool...although I can't say about anything for Big Sur beta.

Command:

1. Open Terminal
2. Enter the following: defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
3. To hide files again, change the “true” in the step above to “false”

 

[DimaVR]

Could be an invisible item in the folder. You cant toggle visibility via a command, or a free helper tool...although I can't say about anything for Big Sur beta.

Command:

1. Open Terminal
2. Enter the following: defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder
3. To hide files again, change the “true” in the step above to “false”

you right, now i see this?

 

[DimaVR]

what you think i should do now?

 

[hobowankenobi]

As you have had these files a long time...have you already tried these options?

 

[DimaVR]

As you have had these files a long time...have you already tried these options?

yes always comes back to not being able to delete them, but now since your commend i see entire folder and whats inside? maybe i should try again? not sure how it would make a difference but ill five it try again right now

 

[DimaVR]

same issue as when. tried all of this before

 

[DimaVR]

 

[hobowankenobi]

I did find this...similar directory structure, same file name. I wonder if it might be something to do with Time Machine or Spot Light indexing...nope, looks like it was a Photos related.

 

[DimaVR]

I did find this...similar directory structure, same file name. I wonder if it might be something to do with Time Machine or Spot Light indexing...

ok let me take a look

 

[hobowankenobi]

If it is a locked ACL (invisible permission, not affected by the the Get Info box), you could try removing ACLs from all the enclosed files.

Command:

1. chmod -RN [drag folder here to automatically add file path]
2. [Press Return]

Be sure there is a space after -RN, before the file path. Once complete, can you empty trash?

 

[DimaVR]

so i jsut now deleted an old installer and now i added another file to the bin that wont delete? its crazy, before it was just that one folder and other items would always delete, now catalina setup file is stuck in the bin also?

 

[hobowankenobi]

I would suggest sorting out the trash issue before adding more things to it. Keep the variables down.

 

[DimaVR]

I would suggest sorting out the trash issue before adding more things to it. Keep the variables down.

For sure it’s just that before it was just that one folder that was stuck and I deleted other files before and didn’t think this would get stuck also.... yeh I completely understand this sucks. I just booted into recovery going to turn off sip see if they does anything

 

[DimaVR]

So turning off sip worked for me just now? That was interesting huh?
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So anyone who has issues with deleting files turn off sip protection and than turn it back on

 

[DimaVR]

I would suggest sorting out the trash issue before adding more things to it. Keep the variables down.

thank you so much for all your help, one of the links you gave me lead to me turn of SIP file protection and my issue is now resolved.

 

[hobowankenobi]

thank you so much for all your help, one of the links you gave me lead to me turn of SIP file protection and my issue is now resolved.

Ah yes, SIP. I do forget as I tend to disable early on most machines. Apple keeps cranking up security with each OS, which is generally good, but adds complication layers when troubleshooting.

Glad you got it!

One of the latest layers is the T2 chip on essentially every new Mac now. Adds to the fun (complexity).