Stupid Question at DVinfo.net

Christian Hede Madsen · November 9th, 2005, 03:31 PM

Okay this is a stupid question and has nothing to do with anything, but I really need an answer and I am sure you guys know.
I wanna erase some files, but when I move them to my Trash-can and I try to empty it, it tells me that some of the files are locked...
How do I un-lock them???
I said it was a stupid question, but I promise this will be the only one...

PLEASE HELP;)

Shane Ross · November 10th, 2005, 12:55 AM

Try holding down the OPTION key when you empty the trash.

And make sure you don't have ANY applications open.

Jonathan Jones · November 10th, 2005, 01:33 AM

If the previous suggestion does not work, try checking to see if the files are locked, or if they contain files inside them that are locked.

If it is a folder, or a 'package', you can use the 'show package contents' to go through the files and 'get info' to 'un-check' any that are locked and preventing you from deleting them.

If that still doesn't work, check them also to be certain that they have the correct ownership and permissions settings.

Hope this helps.
-Jon
BTW - it wasn't a stupid question at all.

Dean Sensui · November 10th, 2005, 03:24 AM

Seldom are there any stupid questions.

"Ignorance" simply means someone has a lack of knowledge. And it can be cured through learning.

However, someone "stupid" is almost incapable of learning. Someone truly "stupid" probably wouldn't be able to even ask the right questions.

Boyd Ostroff · November 10th, 2005, 10:38 AM

Files can end up being locked due to a crash while they were still in use. Or they might be locked because they still are being used (like system files). So just be a little careful that you know what you're throwing in the trash - especially if it's something like an FCP capture or render file!

November 9th, 2005, 03:31 PM	#1
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	Stupid Question Okay this is a stupid question and has nothing to do with anything, but I really need an answer and I am sure you guys know. I wanna erase some files, but when I move them to my Trash-can and I try to empty it, it tells me that some of the files are locked... How do I un-lock them??? I said it was a stupid question, but I promise this will be the only one... PLEASE HELP;)

November 10th, 2005, 01:33 AM	#3
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	If the previous suggestion does not work, try checking to see if the files are locked, or if they contain files inside them that are locked. If it is a folder, or a 'package', you can use the 'show package contents' to go through the files and 'get info' to 'un-check' any that are locked and preventing you from deleting them. If that still doesn't work, check them also to be certain that they have the correct ownership and permissions settings. Hope this helps. -Jon BTW - it wasn't a stupid question at all. __________________ "Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?" - Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974

November 10th, 2005, 03:24 AM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Seldom are there any stupid questions. "Ignorance" simply means someone has a lack of knowledge. And it can be cured through learning. However, someone "stupid" is almost incapable of learning. Someone truly "stupid" probably wouldn't be able to even ask the right questions. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

November 10th, 2005, 12:55 AM	#2
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	Try holding down the OPTION key when you empty the trash. And make sure you don't have ANY applications open.

November 10th, 2005, 10:38 AM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	Files can end up being locked due to a crash while they were still in use. Or they might be locked because they still are being used (like system files). So just be a little careful that you know what you're throwing in the trash - especially if it's something like an FCP capture or render file!