cannot delete files on desktop

[kentucky]

2 pictures sent as email that i put on desktop. When I try to put them in trash it says they are in use. but they are not in use. the icon is diff. as it as an e on it like the explorer e.
Thanks for any help.

 

[jimoblak]

Try restarting the computer and then delete.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[kentucky]

we have tried that, nothing seems to work. they have been on the desktop a couple of months now. and we cant figure out how to get rid of them. they are no longer in download manager. I think files are incomplete as we could not use them but after we downloaded again we could use.
thanks.

 

[jimoblak]

Have you tried changing permissions on them before deleting? Select each icon and then press 'APPLE' & 'I' keys to change permissions.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[kentucky]

We tried that and that doesn't work, still says it is being used by another task. Is there any command that will force it in the trash?
Thanks.

 

[jimoblak]

You certainly have a pickle there.

Is there any chance that you have a dual boot computer that can boot into OS9? If so, you can delete the file from OS9. It should be located in Hard Drive/Users/[you]/Desktop/

Otherwise, you may want to learn how to view all running processes and kill the one using these files.

http://www.chez.com/jyproux/indexEU.html

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[dodge20]

Read through this article. It will probably have a solution for you.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106272

Dodge20

 

[macmend]

I think you need force delete

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16093

force deleting something can mess with your system, so be sparing using this utility, however I can say I have used it without repercussions.

macmend can be found at

http://www.macmend.com

 

[jmgalvin]

Try going to Get Info. Under the Open With, use Photoshop or other image program if you have it or Preview if you don't have PS or similar. Hopefully, that should connect it to a different app

Under Name & Extension, try renaming it something like Picture.tif. That too might dissaciate it with some app. While you're in the Get Info box make sure the thing is locked or something.

 

[Zelandakh]

Download dropnuke.

Install it, put the icon on the desktop and drop anything you wish to delete on it - bingo, it has gone.

Very useful for servers where files have the wrong permissions, are locked or generally not playing ball.