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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Deleting Files

tj designer - Oct 5, 2005 - 3:29 pm

I'm trying to delete files from our server b/c I'm archiving them to CDs and I keep getting a message saying
“cannot delete file b/c it is in use” even though the file isn't opened and isn't being used by anyone.

Do you know a way to get around this? Is there some key combination to force delete the files?

kainjow - Oct 5, 2005 - 5:47 pm

Tricia,

Often times there are bugs with apps where if you open a file and then close it from the application, but leave the application open and then try to delete the file, it will give you this error. When I get this error I just delete the application that the file opened it (i.e. images load in Preview so I quit Preview) so you could try doing this if you opened them recently.

Kevin

tj designer - Oct 6, 2005 - 9:44 am

These aren't files that I've opened recently. In fact it gives me the same message after I shut down and reboot the computer.
I cannot get the files or folders to delete even with no apps. open.

Any other suggestions?

kainjow - Oct 6, 2005 - 11:35 am

You could try opening the Terminal, and typing "rm " and if that doesn't work, use sudo with it: "sudo rm ". (sudo performs the action as the root user, so it will ask for your root password).

kainjow - Oct 6, 2005 - 11:36 am

Oops that didn't work all the way.

I meant either:
rm [pathToFile]
or
sudo rm [pathToFile]