Why does it refuse me access?

[maryanjo]

I am in the process of making my cd collection into mp3s and put them on to my sd card. There was one folder that I put on but don't want on the card anymore. When I try to get rid of it it says I don't have access to get rid of it. I can get rid of other folders, but not that one. It asks for my mac password which I type in and it flashes as if its accepted it, but doesn't get rid of the folder. Why won't it do it?

[Mikef]

There are many reasons such as screwed up access privilege flags / ownership problems. Likewise there are many possible solutions - log in as root and hack via Terminal or the simplest: move all the data you want off the SD card and re-initialize it via Disk Utilities then rebuild its contents.

[Kvasir]

I have had trouble with this on my external USB drive when deleting files created by Windows. If this is the case, I have found the only way to delete this folder is to use Windows.

[mrcqm]

Originally Posted by Mikef

many possible solutions - log in as root and hack via Terminal or the simplest: move all the data you want off the SD card and re-initialize it via Disk Utilities then rebuild its contents.

Please go the simple route outlined above. Using sudo or root in the terminal would I fear lead to a pretty frantic post in this forum. The rm command in terminal is a very simple way to delete stubborn files. That said, it is simple because, when logged as root or using sudo, it bypasses all safeguards. If you misspell a file name or aren't in the correct folder, you're very unhappy with the results.

[maryanjo]

Yes I will try the simple methods first. First I'll try deleting it in Windows. It may be because it has been used in Windows before. I don't know as since I have used the mac I bought more cards. If that doesn't work I'll use the reformat method.
I don't know what the heck root and sudo are but it sounds like I shouldn't be messing with them for sure.

Thank you all for your replies. If I don't get back then you'll know it's worked. I have just discovered another problem but that's another post.

[mrcqm]

Originally Posted by maryanjo

I don't know what the heck root and sudo are but it sounds like I shouldn't be messing with them for sure.

Your computer uses permissions to determine who has the right to do different things. This keeps you from doing too much damage accidentally aside from deleting your own files. "Root" is a specific way of logging into your computer that basically gives you God-power. You can literally delete anything in the computer while logged in as root.

[maryanjo]

Kvasir thank you. That's what I did. I tried the simplest method first and it worked. I took my sd to windows and deleted the offending folder.