LinuxQuestions.org

LinuxQuestions.org (/questions/)
-   Linux - Newbie (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/)
-   -   how to delete a file simply without having to be a programer (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/how-to-delete-a-file-simply-without-having-to-be-a-programer-4175471943/)

army1959 08-03-2013 12:42 AM

how to delete a file simply without having to be a programer
 
i am trying to free up some space on my hd i have back up files i am trying to delete and can not its taking up 354 gb of space using as example (screenshot 1) screenshot 1 and 2 are the files i am trying to get rid of but can not find a way to do this i do not want to know any thing else except how to delete these files i have been at this for 2 days reading different answers from the net with no joy whatsoever i have done the roasting the files command and auto delete and so many others that do not work i am using zorion

http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/26...9268592876.jpg http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/26...4268592878.jpg http://thumbnails105.imagebam.com/26...d268592879.jpg

syg00 08-03-2013 12:50 AM

You haven't told us what you did, and what any error messages were.
Let's presume you tried to do this from the GUI - it probably tries to keep a trashcan for you - but there ain't enough space. I use the CLI, but from a GUI you should be able to highlight what you want to delete, hold the <Shift> key down and hit <Delete> key.
You'll get a prompt probably, but after that they'll be gone - no trashcan copy, no nuthin.

jdkaye 08-03-2013 01:35 AM

I think you're heading for a world of pain. You do not want to delete things in /var/backups . The reason you're having problems is probably because of permission issues. You need to be root or use sudo to delete files from that folder. If you want to delete things delete them from your own home directory.
jdk

army1959 08-03-2013 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00 (Post 5002017)
You haven't told us what you did, and what any error messages were.
Let's presume you tried to do this from the GUI - it probably tries to keep a trashcan for you - but there ain't enough space. I use the CLI, but from a GUI you should be able to highlight what you want to delete, hold the <Shift> key down and hit <Delete> key.
You'll get a prompt probably, but after that they'll be gone - no trashcan copy, no nuthin.

thanks for the reply but no joy on shift delete

army1959 08-03-2013 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdkaye (Post 5002033)
I think you're heading for a world of pain. You do not want to delete things in /var/backups . The reason you're having problems is probably because of permission issues. You need to be root or use sudo to delete files from that folder. If you want to delete things delete them from your own home directory.
jdk

ok the problem as stated it will not let me delete from home folder and i have logged in as sudo and no joy did you look at the screenshots they are just old system backup files and as stated taking up 354 gb of space thanks anyway

konsolebox 08-03-2013 02:42 AM

If nothing really workss try booting a live CD or DVD with GUI and mount your filesystem separately. Check the filesystem for errors before that as well and delete files from there.

jdkaye 08-03-2013 03:06 AM

The thumbnails you show (the last two I mean) both show the contents of /var/backups, right? What exactly are you trying to delete from your home folder? Can you give its complete path? If you open a terminal and type
Code:

rm /home/<your username>/blah/blah/<files you want to delete>
how does your system respond?
jdk

army1959 08-03-2013 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdkaye (Post 5002059)
The thumbnails you show (the last two I mean) both show the contents of /var/backups, right? What exactly are you trying to delete from your home folder? Can you give its complete path? If you open a terminal and type
Code:

rm /home/<your username>/blah/blah/<files you want to delete>
how does your system respond?
jdk

again see post #5 /var/backups

jdkaye 08-03-2013 04:19 AM

I've read it an reread it many times and I don't understand it. I repeat "What exactly are you trying to delete from your home folder? Can you give its complete path?" That should be simple enough, right? No need to be a programmer to answer that, eh? ;)
jdk

army1959 08-03-2013 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdkaye (Post 5002077)
I've read it an reread it many times and I don't understand it. I repeat "What exactly are you trying to delete from your home folder? Can you give its complete path?" That should be simple enough, right? No need to be a programmer to answer that, eh? ;)
jdk

the system Backup files that it backs up every day

army1959 08-03-2013 04:42 AM

why is it that everything has to be complicated all i want to know is how to delete some files it should not matter what kind of files i should be able to right click and send to trash and this happens every time i try and get help on this board i ask what time it is and everyone tells me how to build a watch it should be simple like windows right click delete even the most simplest of things is a struggle in linux i can see why so many people stay away from it

jdkaye 08-03-2013 04:47 AM

Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about. What system Backup files? If they are system files you need root privileges to access them. Are you running a backup program yourself every day? If yes, why are you backing up the system files? Normally backing up the files from your home directory is sufficient. I do a weekly backup myself. I also don't back up to my own drive. There wouldn't be much point in that. If you're worried about space why not just do your backups to an external drive?
jdk

army1959 08-03-2013 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdkaye (Post 5002090)
Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about. What system Backup files? If they are system files you need root privileges to access them. Are you running a backup program yourself every day? If yes, why are you backing up the system files? Normally backing up the files from your home directory is sufficient. I do a weekly backup myself. I also don't back up to my own drive. There wouldn't be much point in that. If you're worried about space why not just do your backups to an external drive?
jdk

why is it that everything has to be complicated all i want to know is how to delete some files it should not matter what kind of files i should be able to right click and send to trash and this happens every time i try and get help on this board i ask what time it is and everyone tells me how to build a watch it should be simple like windows right click delete even the most simplest of things is a struggle in linux i can see why so many people stay away from it

konsolebox 08-03-2013 05:04 AM

Basically there are two (or three) basic reasons why you won't be able to delete a file, first is permission, second is because some processes like backup softwares might be accessing it, third is simply because the filesystem where it resides is in read-only or locked mode. Other reasons perhaps would be related to security measures and virtualizations. Like I said running a live CD or DVD that would handle the filesystem offline from the system could fix this.

And I hope you're not actually trying to "hack" it and expect us to recommend a way to delete it that could bypass security?

273 08-03-2013 05:06 AM

If Windows is set up correctly you'll find it equally difficult to right-click and delete files there too.
The easiest way to delete these files would be on the command line using sudo.
The reason you have to jump through hoops to delete these files is that you really ought not to be deleting them since you have no idea why they were created or what they are for. I anticipate your answer that you know they are backups but in that case I would respond "Then why did you set up backups if you don't wan them?".
In order to use any computer system, or any other system or device for that matter, one must understand why things occur.
You might also want to think about the usefulness of right-click and send-to-trash when trying to free up hard disk space.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 PM.