PDF stuck on desktop

[Soalce0]

I downloaded a pdf file, and it got "stuck", i.e. it cannot be opened, moved or deleted. It still shows "filename.pdf" and "filename.pdf.part". I downloaded the file again and it opened fine, but the first attempt is still there and can't be removed. Please help me figure out how to get rid of this.
I have OS x (10.6.3).

 

[cmcknight]

If you can't drag the file to the Trashcan, then open a Terminal window and type:

rm ~/Desktop/filename.pdf.part


This will permanently delete file.pdf.part. If you are still unable to that, you will have a permissions issue. To delete the file in this case, you would type the following in the Terminal window:


sudo rm ~/Desktop/filename.pdf.part


You will be prompted for your password (if you have administrator privileges). After entering the password and tapping the return key, the file should be gone.


Hope this helps.

 

[Soalce0]

Thanks for the advice. I tried that and it tells me "No such file or directory"
I have tried 4-5 times, and am definitely spelling the file name correctly.
I tried with both "filename.pdf" and "filename.pdf.part"
Ideas?

 

[cmcknight]

Try using:

la ~/Desktop

to see all of the files in that directory. Is it not showing up in Finder?

 

[cmcknight]

One other thought. You might open a terminal window, use the "la" command I mentioned above, then use the mouse to highlight the entire name and use Command-C to copy the name to the clipboard. At the command line type rm <double quotes> use Command-V to paste the filename <doublequotes> and then tap the return key.

Example:

rm "filename.pdf.part"

Weird one. If it's showing up on the Desktop, then the file should be in the Desktop folder.

 

[Soalce0]

So i don't know the most about Terminal, so i may be doing it wrong. But when I tried the "la" thing, it says "Command not found".

Cutting and pasting the filename did not work either.

However, the files are NOT in the Desktop folder in Finder. Very weird indeed.

 

[cmcknight]

Whoops, my bad. I work in the terminal all of the time and have an "la" alias for ls -a

I'm assuming that you've done the log out / log on thing too.

That's quite peculiar for something to show up on the desktop but not in the desktop folder......

 

[Soalce0]

Wow. It is amazing the level of technical expertise needed to clear a problem sometime. The log out/log on thing worked like a charm. I can't believe I didn't try that.
Don't know what that was all about, but glad the problem is gone. Thanks for the help.

 

[justind]

Whoops, my bad. I work in the terminal all of the time and have an "la" alias for ls -a

I'm assuming that you've done the log out / log on thing too.

That's quite peculiar for something to show up on the desktop but not in the desktop folder......

.....................................................

I have the same problems as above.

Please tell me about the log out/ log on thing....
Thanks,
justind

 

[cmcknight]

From the Apple menu, select Log Out, then log back in.

Hope this helps.

 

[justind]

From the Apple menu, select Log Out, then log back in.

Hope this helps.

You're the best. It was simple. Thanks, justind

 

[hammerransom]

just press (command, alt, esc) at the same time and then force close the file, which is likely "Preview". I just had the same issue.