RE: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories
rm -R -f Tried that yet? -Original Message- From: JMJ [mailto:roadr...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 2:32 PM To: nlug-talk@googlegroups.com Subject: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories Hey folks, This is probably simple, but I'm obviously missing something. I copied my linux home directory to a Windows XP NTFS partition as a temporary back-up. Now I'm trying to delete the back-up using a Knoppix CD, but some (52) directories are resisting my attempts at deletion. I've tried rmdir (as root) with a variety of options and have had no luck. The error message indicates that the directory still contains a file, but the --ignore-on-non-empty option doesn't work. When I look at the directory contents with 'ls -a' or 'ls -i' I only see '.' and '..' but no files. It doesn't seem to be a permissions issue because all directories are 'drwxrwxrwx'. Also, I'm able to rename the directories. Any thoughts or suggestions? Maybe I just need a nap or some caffeine. heh heh Thanks! JMJ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en.
Re: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories
I have seen that kind of thing (not able to erase files or directories) when I had a pbsak problem of haiving the directory open (unintentionally) in another window or by another program when trying to remove it. I am sure others don't make the mistakes I do, but just in case... Also rm -r -f /delete/my/dir/and/contents -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en.
Re: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories
Jack wrote: >rm -r -f /delete/my/dir/and/contents William Turner wrote: > rm -R -f The laptop I was originally having the problem with is back at the office and I haven't been able to try that on that machine. But, I just had the same issue with an old laptop drive. I tried both of those, plus the rmdir equivalents, but none of that worked. I was planning to wipe/format the drive anyway, so I'll go ahead and do that. Random thought... would a bad block on the drive cause directories to be non-deletable? Another semi-related question... Why must rmdir have an unnecessarily long option like "--ignore-fail-on-not-empty" It only has a couple of other options so there are plenty of single letters to choose from. What's wrong with "-f" or "-i" etc?? I don't get it. Or should I just ask the author? LOL JMJ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en.
Re: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories
Just in case you weren't doing this while logged in as root, check the permissions on the directory above the one you were trying to delete. Perhaps you didn't have write permission in that directory? -- John F. Eldredge -- j...@jfeldredge.com "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria -Original Message- From: JMJ Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:04:50 To: Subject: Re: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories Jack wrote: >rm -r -f /delete/my/dir/and/contents William Turner wrote: > rm -R -f The laptop I was originally having the problem with is back at the office and I haven't been able to try that on that machine. But, I just had the same issue with an old laptop drive. I tried both of those, plus the rmdir equivalents, but none of that worked. I was planning to wipe/format the drive anyway, so I'll go ahead and do that. Random thought... would a bad block on the drive cause directories to be non-deletable? Another semi-related question... Why must rmdir have an unnecessarily long option like "--ignore-fail-on-not-empty" It only has a couple of other options so there are plenty of single letters to choose from. What's wrong with "-f" or "-i" etc?? I don't get it. Or should I just ask the author? LOL JMJ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en.
Re: [nlug] Can't delete seemingly empty directories
John F. Eldredge wrote: > Just in case you weren't doing this while logged in as root, Sorry, I should have mentioned that I was logged in as root. I'll try to do some more googling. in case this happens again. Thanks, JMJ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-t...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en.
