Mac Trash Won't Empty

Many people suggest a format fixes this issue since this issue is related to the time machine.  You can also try this application below, i have not personally used it but know someone who had the same issue and it fixed her issue, just ensure you backup before:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/8214/trash-it%21

Good luck.

You can try this link: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20010812235157202

It's not that difficult, just preform the following:

1) open terminal
2) cd ~/.Trash
3) rm -r *
4) type exit & hit return
5) quit terminal

Failure to empty trash is often a symptom of disk directory corruption. What happens when you run "verify disk" using Disk Utility. You should also repair permissions while you are at it.

Hello:

¿ jramsier: Have already tried Trashit. Didn't work!

¿strung: Verify Disk finds no problems. Have repaired permissions multiple times. No change.

¿leewv1: i visited the  link you provided. Unfortunately, (as I originally whined!) I am not Unix-trained/friendly, and I find instructions on this web page for using Terminal commands as the Fix really unclear.  However, if you could translate  this business for me in Unix For Dummies language, and if it actually works, then you take the medal!

TX!

leewv1 : TX for that additional reply. But I need to know: between your steps 1,2 &3...am I supposed to hit carriage return? Or are they all typed in single string? Exsqueeze my dumb-ness, but I've read so many dire warnings about fiddling in Terminal unless you're an expert, which I'm not - I'm not touching it until I know exactly what I'm doing!

Yes. Carriage returns between. You can copy and paste the lines into terminal so you don't mistype.

By the way, did you try doing a safe start (while holding down the shift key) and then emptying the trash?

strung: am just about to undertake the Unix fix. But yes, i did run a Safe Start - nothing changed!

de nada....
Well, guys, I painstakingly used those Terminal commands [snapshot attached], then I attempted "normal' empty Trash - threw same Error Code as above; then repeated the whole protocol two more times, and after each of those I attempted "Secure Delete Empty Trash." No change. Threw same error again!
 

Experts;

i have to leave the house on biz for a few hours. Will check back on this issue later today. Thanks-so-far!

OH - WAIT A MINUTE - I just noticed the "no such file or directory" message in those Terminal commands. Will go back now and try one more time! Will let you know!

TAKE FOUR!
Well, I repeated Terminal Commands with extra care, and, as you can see in embedded snapshot, that "no such file or directory" message was generated.
*Could this have any connection to the fact of my running OSX from external Sandbox?

Will be back later!

go back to your trash folder in Terminal and change directory to .Trash then type ls to see the contents of the directory.  Does anything show when  type ls and hit enter?

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

http://www.osxfaq.com/Tutorials/LearningCenter/HowTo/Trash/index.ws

http://www.besttechie.net/2008/10/23/force-empty-trash-in-osx/

Try this:

1) Open terminal
2) cd $HOME/.Trash
3) type pwd to verify the dirrectory you are in.  It should read: /Users/your username/.Trash
4) type ls & hit return
5) if the ls command displays files/directories, then type sudo rm -r * and press return

Good morning leew1 & strung:

Hey, NONE of the above achieved anything.

strung, I had already been over all of the sites you pointed me to - nothin' there worked.

leew1: I tried your last Terminal commands several times - nothin' happened at all !! And, re : "go back to your trash folder in Terminal and change directory to .Trash then type ls to see the contents of the directory.  Does anything show when  type ls and hit enter?". Sorry, but the instruction is not clear to me. Can you dumb it down for me?

Will be on the road most of this day. Will check back here tomorrow!

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2138034

jbm4, quick & brief unix training (simplistic at best):

ls = list the contents of the current directory
pwd = print working directory (tells where you are currently within the file structure)
rm = remove file/directory
cd = change directory

First requirement is to have a shell (window) open in Terminal.
Type pwd & press return to see what directory you are in.  It typically is your home directory (the user account in which you are logged into), like /Users/mimbyus/
Type ls -al & press return.  This will provide a list of all files and directories (including hidden ones)
Hopefully, you should see at the top of the directory listing on the far right is the directory .Trash
Hidden files are indicated by having a period in front of the file or directory.
If you see the directory entry .Trash, change directory (cd .Trash) to set the current working directory to the .Trash directory.
Type the ls -al command to see what files and directories that are in the .Trash directory
Because you have Time Machine files & directories (a LOT of files & directories), removing them all at one time can be daunting.  So I would change directories (cd) deeper into file structure probably 2 directories deeper and start removing files & directories by typing sudo rm -r <directory or filename> and press return.
Using sudo will require you to enter your administrator's password.  But doing it this way will keep you from having to confirm you deleting the contents.

I look forward to your response.

MY OWN BLINDMAN STUMBLING AROUND SOLUTION!