Why can't I delete this file!?!
To start:
I copied an OS 9 partition to my Firewire backup drive. I no longer need it, so I tried to delete it - no go. It always says that I don't have permissions to delete it. I used SNAX to peak inside the folder, and found a locked 'HFS+ Private Data' folder, that has a .DS_Store in it. Even in SNAX, I can't remove the damn file!! I can unlock it, and immediately move it to the trash - but it's still there. Now mind you, It takes up no space at all, but it's annoying and I want it gone. I can also navigate to it in the terminal, hack a root access and I STILL CAN'T DELETE IT. I've even gone into the Net Info Manager and authenticated a root access.
Un-Fing believable.
I copied an OS 9 partition to my Firewire backup drive. I no longer need it, so I tried to delete it - no go. It always says that I don't have permissions to delete it. I used SNAX to peak inside the folder, and found a locked 'HFS+ Private Data' folder, that has a .DS_Store in it. Even in SNAX, I can't remove the damn file!! I can unlock it, and immediately move it to the trash - but it's still there. Now mind you, It takes up no space at all, but it's annoying and I want it gone. I can also navigate to it in the terminal, hack a root access and I STILL CAN'T DELETE IT. I've even gone into the Net Info Manager and authenticated a root access.
Un-Fing believable.
Comments
sudo rm /path/to/file
if u are uncertain about the file path, do:
sudo rm
then drag the file from the finder onto the terminal window.
after the path is filled in, hit enter to execute the command. sudo will grant u temporary root access (after you type in ur root password, when asked). that should eradicate the file.
sudo rm -f <path to file>
forces remove of file, since you couldn't remove it regularly as root.
<strong>If you can boot into OS9, delete it from there.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah...I should have mentioned that in the very beginning. However, come Jan 2003 - that will no longer be a luxury, so I wanted to solve this problem now...and figure out a little unix in the process.
are you 100% sure you know what this is and that you're positive it isn't necessary?
<strong>if you log in as root and rm -rf the file it will die, but you have a good chance of screwing up your system</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, that's why you don't use -rf to delete files, just -f... -r is recursive and if you had a / after the command you would hose it...
<strong>Don't delete it! it's a neccesary system file.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes - I'm aware of that. However, this is not on my actual boot drive, it's on a Firewire HD.
At any rate, I'm just going to boot into OS 9 and end this charade.
Thanks for the tips, though!