Can't delete file

Can you try to delete using terminal instead of drag & drop from finder? Please post back your results

how do i do that?

The command you need to enter in Terminal is "rm <filename>"
- 'rm' means 'remove' (ie delete)
- Filename is the specific path and filename of the file you want to delete

Easiest way to do this is as follows

• Open Terminal (You should find it in Applications/Utilities)


• In the new window type "rm " - (Don't type the quote marks, just the letter 'r' followed by 'm' and a space after the letter 'm')


• Drag the problem file from finder to the terminal window (You should see that additional text is added after the "rm "command - that is the location & name of the file and dragging this to terminal saves typing that info and getting it wrong)


• Press enter

The reason for doing this is to delete the file without using Finder - there is a strong possibility that the issue you are seeing is actually a Finder issue. If we can delete the file without finder, this will confirm that is the case; else give more info to help diagnose the issue. So please post the results either way

Also could you post how you use your NAS: Are you the only user? Do you log in as guest, admin or another user? Are you using AFP or CIFS. The more info the better

Thanks for the reply. I am connected via AFP as admin. I am the only user. I am only using it to store my movies and games and tv shows. My media folder is mounted on my desktop. I have read write permissions. I have about 50 folders with about 1 file in each folder. I renamed 49 but i could not rename one because it would say "You don't have permission to rename the item. I then tried to drag the file and the folder and i would get the error in my original post.

I tried using terminal using your instructions and i get this error: Permission denied.

Anything else i could do?

First - thanks for the info; very helpful.

The permission denied error in terminal confirms this is not a Finder issue, so it must be an issue with permissions on the NAS which we can fix.

Unfortunately, while the admin user gives you full visibility of the data on the NAS over AFP, it does not give you full write access to be able to delete and rename files/folders owned by other user accounts - you must specifically setup the NAS to allow that. So I would guess that the folder you are unable to rename was created by another user account. As you are the only physical user, this probably means you connected to the NAS as the default Guest user at some point without realising it and created the problem folder.

To fix this

• Open Frontview -> Shares Listing


• Click on the AFP Icon for the share you are having a problem with


• Select the tab called Advanced Options (Upper right of the window that appears)


• Set the "Share folder everyone rights" to Read/Write


• Check the box called "Set ownership and permission for existing files and folders..."


• Click Apply


• Disconnect and reconnect to the share to ensure you mac recognises the changes

You should now be able to rename/delete any files or folders

Note that the above will also give full read/write access to the Guest user if you still have guest access enabled. This can be avoided, but you would need to setup a user account rather than connect as admin.

Hey Sphardy. I did exactly what you said but when i check the box "Set ownership and permission for existing files and folders..." and then click Apply i get the "spinning wheel" with the blu background and after a couple of seconds the box is unselected. I cannot keep it selected.

That's how it's supposed to work - when you check the box and click apply, the NAS updates permissions. Once done the box is unchecked so that you may perform the action again if needed - it doesn't stay checked.

So disconnect and reconnect to your NAS and (hopefully) you issue will have been resolved

Nothing. By the way i am the only one using the NAS and the file i am trying to delete was created by me.

As i stated, while you may be the only physical user, your NAS has at least 2 user accounts - admin and guest. Typically such problems are caused by a user using both accounts over time

To clarify your response, Do I assume you mean you still cannot modify the one folder?

If this is the case and you are sure you have followed the instructions fully, I must suggest you contact Netgear Support. The task you performed makes files in that share editable by any user that connects to the NAS - so if this fails to help then there is a deeper underlying issue that warrants 1-on-1 assistance

Another suggestion has come to mind based on another thread

Can you go to the Advanced Options again following the instructions above and ensure that the option 'Grant rename and delete privileges to non-owner of files.' is checked. It should be as this is the default, but another user just hit this issue and the option was not checked.