Folder That Won't Delete

JenX · Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 71

Hello again,

This is driving me crazy. :angry: One day last year, a mysterious folder named "Macintosh HD:MP3:" appeared in my trash can. Even though my real mp3 folder is safely stored on the hard drive, this bizarre imitation file lies in the trash and won't go away, no matter how many times I try to empty the trash. I get error type -35 every time I try to delete it. I've tried moving it into a blank folder and trying to trash them both, but that won't work either. It won't even let me rename it.

Again, this is on OS 9.1 (no OS classic forum on here, apparently).

Please help me delete this file!

Thank you so much!

Jeni

blue80907 · Joined: Jan 25, 2005 Posts: 2

You might try a utility like Disktop (it's an old apple DA) which can show you the technical information on a file, and has (in the old PRE X days) helped me delete these kinds of files by changing the finder flags (i.e. hidden, read only, etc.). I'm not sure if you'll be able to find the program anymore. The fact that the filename has ":" in it confuses me though.

Wildman_100 · Joined: Aug 11, 2003 Posts: 21

What you need to do is sign in as the Root user, change the permissions on the file for read and wrtie, then delete. You can find full instructions for usage of root user in the Mac help files.

jdubb73 · Joined: Jan 29, 2005 Posts: 1

What kind of folder is it?
If it's a P2P file, restart your computer and delete the file as soon as you are back up and running. Some of these files will not delete if someone is uploading.

By shutting down your computer you are also shuting down the upload.

Goodluck!

JenX · Joined: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 71

Thank you all for your replies. :)

It's not a P2P file, just a mysterious files that appeared in my trash one day (probably due to some error).

I will look into Disktop and signing in as the root user.

Thank you so much!

Jeni

ondecktech · Joined: Mar 29, 2006 Posts: 3

Jeni, hi there! That sounds like a frustrating problem.

First, as you're in OS 9, you won't (yet) be able to "sign in as a root user", you'll have to wait until you upgrade to OS X to do that!

Instead, please first take a look at Disinfectant - 3.7.1, available for free download from Version Tracker here:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/1252

It's possible that you have an old virus, wise and not difficult to check using this good, old software, now discontinued, and fine for your purposes!

You've probably already tried this, and make sure the file is not "locked", you can check by selecting the file and typing apple-I, or selecting Get Info from your finder pull down menu. You'll see an "x" in a box in the Get Info window if it's locked... in which case you should be able to uncheck.

Disktop, at least an update, is here: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/3564

Tech Tool Lite, a file utility you might try if none of this other info helps, is located here:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/4415

BTW, you can up date your Mac from 9.1 to 9.22 free-of-charge! Here are links to free updates from Apple to OS 9.21, and then 9.22:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120030
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75186

Hope this is helpful. Best!