How do I delete undeletable file?

Apostle · 12-20-2003, 10:43 PM

Hi All,

I am trying to delete

Macintosh HD:Previous Systems:Previous System 1:private:var:log:.NetBarrierUpdateUS-10.1.pkg.536.upgrade.InstallationPlan

which is an invisible file. I've changed permissions and as far as I can tell the file is not "locked". I am being told that "The item cannot be moved to the Trash because it cannot be deleted.".

I have been unable to modify, make visible or otherwise affect this file. I have run the NetBarrier X3 program uninstaller but this file remains.

It's only 4k, but it's a matter of principle. I don't want it. It's my hard disk. I want it out!

I am running Mac OS 10.2.4.

Any and all suggestions appreciated!

=o)

hayne · 12-21-2003, 12:31 AM

You should try deleting it via 'rm' in the Terminal.
You are likely to need to preface the command with 'sudo' to get the necessary permissions.
Look on the main macosxhints site for several articles which address this sort of problem.

Apostle · 12-21-2003, 12:51 AM

Thanks for posting!

acme.mail.order · 12-21-2003, 04:07 AM

If you want to get rid of that entire folder, open the Terminal, and paste the following:

Code:

sudo rm -rf /Previous\ Systems/Previous\ System\ 1/*

It will ask you for your password, and you need to be an administrator to do it.

To remove just that file, use the following:

Code:

sudo rm -rf /Previous\ Systems/Previous\ System\ 1/private/var/log/.NetBarrierUpdateUS-10.1.pkg.536.upgrade.InstallationPlan

You must copy/retype EXACTLY as shown, and the commands must be on a single line. No extra spaces or return characters are allowed, but your text may wrap a line in the terminal.

WARNING: Mistakes with this command will annihilate your system before your finger comes off the return key.

Apostle · 12-21-2003, 10:38 AM

I was able to delete just that one file and everything seems to be working.

Thank you both for your posts!

=o)

bandit · 12-21-2003, 02:13 PM

if you are not too familiar with terminal commands, or prefere another easier method fopr future use, you may try using Path Finder by cocoatech. you simply click on the file or folder to highlight it and then click delete or secure delete from path finder. if it is locked, needs special permissions or anything, simply check the delete with root privalege, and that file will be toast.
it is a shareware app. that you can test drive for a while. for the unix gurus, it has a terminal shelf built right into it, so you dont even need to use the apple app. it also has "open in terminal" in the menus, it is soooooooo cool!

acme.mail.order · 12-21-2003, 06:18 PM

Would you happen to have a link to that program's home page? We usually post references to programs we recommend.

Mikey-San · 12-21-2003, 06:43 PM

Holy crap, Acme. That was the best warning ever.

EVER.

"WARNING: Mistakes with this command will annihilate your system before your finger comes off the return key."

acme.mail.order · 12-21-2003, 07:11 PM

Warning: This computer warps time and space in it's vicinity in direct proportion to it's mass.

Warning: Improper use if this command will instantly send your system to Valhalla and permanently mark the user as a unix dweeb.

Warning: This is a 100% matter product. In the unlikely event this product contacts antimatter in any form, a catastrophic explosion will result.

WARNING!!!! LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT INSIDE THE CASE!!!! DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING INTERNAL WHILE IT'S PLUGGED IN!!!

WARNING!!!
The radiation shield in your monitor has failed.
Move away from your machine as quickly as possible!

Try the antimatter warning on your next Fedex package, and use the last one in a console messgae box.

mervTormel · 12-21-2003, 07:17 PM

acme, it may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

Craig R. Arko · 12-21-2003, 07:53 PM

Why is it when I read those I hear the voice of the robot from "Lost in Space?"

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! Aliens approaching!

acme.mail.order · 12-21-2003, 08:23 PM

Never saw "Lost in Space" (before my time) but used to watch Dr. Who and Star Trek a lot.

Hey Craig - can we get some Dalek icons in the smiley box? Or the Terminator/Governator?

bandit · 12-23-2003, 01:41 AM

sorry.........

http://www.cocoatech.com/

this one is worth getting guys and gals.

Apostle · 12-23-2003, 09:51 PM

I tried PathFinder but got spooked. It worked well save for transferring files from computer to computer over Ethernet. Every time I tried to transfer a large (650MB) .DMG file it crashed Mac OS 10.2.4. The "Curtain Of Death".

I had no trouble transferring the same file from the Mac OS Finder. It made me a little nervous about the integrity of my files. It does look like a good application though...

=o)

Speaking of Lost In Space - does anyone remember "I.D.A.K." ?

Dr Smith is Irate, Dr Smith Is Irate!

yellow · 12-23-2003, 10:27 PM

WARNING: Aim away from face and genitals.

Apostle · 12-23-2003, 10:40 PM

Hey Yellow,

Sorry to hear about Sophie. How long was she with you?

I had a shepherd/collie mix years ago whose birthday was November 14. She only made it to 8.

The Rainbow Bridge

12-20-2003, 10:43 PM	#1
Apostle Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 10	How do I delete undeletable file? Hi All, I am trying to delete Macintosh HD:Previous Systems:Previous System 1:private:var:log:.NetBarrierUpdateUS-10.1.pkg.536.upgrade.InstallationPlan which is an invisible file. I've changed permissions and as far as I can tell the file is not "locked". I am being told that "The item cannot be moved to the Trash because it cannot be deleted.". I have been unable to modify, make visible or otherwise affect this file. I have run the NetBarrier X3 program uninstaller but this file remains. It's only 4k, but it's a matter of principle. I don't want it. It's my hard disk. I want it out! I am running Mac OS 10.2.4. Any and all suggestions appreciated! =o)

12-21-2003, 04:07 AM	#4
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,334	If you want to get rid of that entire folder, open the Terminal, and paste the following: Code: sudo rm -rf /Previous\ Systems/Previous\ System\ 1/* It will ask you for your password, and you need to be an administrator to do it. To remove just that file, use the following: Code: sudo rm -rf /Previous\ Systems/Previous\ System\ 1/private/var/log/.NetBarrierUpdateUS-10.1.pkg.536.upgrade.InstallationPlan You must copy/retype EXACTLY as shown, and the commands must be on a single line. No extra spaces or return characters are allowed, but your text may wrap a line in the terminal. WARNING: Mistakes with this command will annihilate your system before your finger comes off the return key.

12-21-2003, 02:13 PM	#6
bandit Triple-A Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: wi Posts: 106	try path finder in future if you are not too familiar with terminal commands, or prefere another easier method fopr future use, you may try using Path Finder by cocoatech. you simply click on the file or folder to highlight it and then click delete or secure delete from path finder. if it is locked, needs special permissions or anything, simply check the delete with root privalege, and that file will be toast. it is a shareware app. that you can test drive for a while. for the unix gurus, it has a terminal shelf built right into it, so you dont even need to use the apple app. it also has "open in terminal" in the menus, it is soooooooo cool! __________________ warp capable G4 what fool hath bringeth a drop of water to the mighty ocean?

12-21-2003, 07:11 PM	#9
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,334	WARNING WARNING BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP! Warning: This computer warps time and space in it's vicinity in direct proportion to it's mass. Warning: Improper use if this command will instantly send your system to Valhalla and permanently mark the user as a unix dweeb. Warning: This is a 100% matter product. In the unlikely event this product contacts antimatter in any form, a catastrophic explosion will result. WARNING!!!! LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT INSIDE THE CASE!!!! DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING INTERNAL WHILE IT'S PLUGGED IN!!! WARNING!!! The radiation shield in your monitor has failed. Move away from your machine as quickly as possible! Try the antimatter warning on your next Fedex package, and use the last one in a console messgae box.

12-21-2003, 08:23 PM	#12
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,334	Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate! Never saw "Lost in Space" (before my time) but used to watch Dr. Who and Star Trek a lot. Hey Craig - can we get some Dalek icons in the smiley box? Or the Terminator/Governator?

12-21-2003, 12:31 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	You should try deleting it via 'rm' in the Terminal. You are likely to need to preface the command with 'sudo' to get the necessary permissions. Look on the main macosxhints site for several articles which address this sort of problem.

12-21-2003, 12:51 AM	#3
Apostle Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 10	Thanks for posting!

12-21-2003, 10:38 AM	#5
Apostle Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 10	I was able to delete just that one file and everything seems to be working. Thank you both for your posts! =o)

12-21-2003, 06:18 PM	#7
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,334	Would you happen to have a link to that program's home page? We usually post references to programs we recommend.

12-21-2003, 06:43 PM	#8
Mikey-San Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,541	Holy crap, Acme. That was the best warning ever. EVER. "WARNING: Mistakes with this command will annihilate your system before your finger comes off the return key."

12-21-2003, 07:17 PM	#10
mervTormel League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 5,536	acme, it may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

12-21-2003, 07:53 PM	#11
Craig R. Arko Site Admin Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,988	Why is it when I read those I hear the voice of the robot from "Lost in Space?" Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! Aliens approaching!

12-23-2003, 01:41 AM	#13
bandit Triple-A Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: wi Posts: 106	sorry......... http://www.cocoatech.com/ this one is worth getting guys and gals. __________________ warp capable G4 what fool hath bringeth a drop of water to the mighty ocean?

12-23-2003, 09:51 PM	#14
Apostle Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 10	I tried PathFinder but got spooked. It worked well save for transferring files from computer to computer over Ethernet. Every time I tried to transfer a large (650MB) .DMG file it crashed Mac OS 10.2.4. The "Curtain Of Death". I had no trouble transferring the same file from the Mac OS Finder. It made me a little nervous about the integrity of my files. It does look like a good application though... =o) Speaking of Lost In Space - does anyone remember "I.D.A.K." ? Dr Smith is Irate, Dr Smith Is Irate!

12-23-2003, 10:27 PM	#15
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	WARNING: Aim away from face and genitals.

12-23-2003, 10:40 PM	#16
Apostle Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 10	Hey Yellow, Sorry to hear about Sophie. How long was she with you? I had a shepherd/collie mix years ago whose birthday was November 14. She only made it to 8. The Rainbow Bridge