On my wife’s 10.4.11:

I verified that the warning was enabled, but I no longer get the alert before emptying the Trash.

I deleted the ~/library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist, but that did not work. I ran DiskWarrior, but that too did not work.

I then created a new User and, to my surprise, even there the problem continues.

Might there be an easy remedy to this vexing, but not major problem?

How long has this been going on? . . . and what sort of software installs/updates were last run prior to noticing this behavior?

I can throw some Terminal commands out there, to get or set the value:

defaults read com.apple.finder WarnOnEmptyTrash

defaults write com.apple.finder WarnOnEmptyTrash -bool TRUE

It may be enlightening to run the first one at least, just to verify that the answer is indeed 1

idunno... deleted plist + DiskWarrior + new user account = i'm stumped.
It must be something to do with Finder (or the OS) itself.

Thanks for the prompt response Hal.

As soon my wife leaves the chair, I'll give it a go and then report the results.

Hal,
I am not at all certain how long this has been going on, but I presume at least 10 days, as I booted in to a 10 day old backup and the problem remains.

The most recent (>10 days) updates were Apple Security & Little Snitch. I disabled LS, but no joy. As I'm uncertain how long this has been going on, tracing this gremlin is nearly impossible (for me anyway).

What boggles my mind, is that the problem remains in a new User.

As you suggested, I ran the first Terminal command and indeed get a "1".

I then ran the second command and nothing happened (that I could see).

For want of a fix, confusion & frustration reigns in Pendragonland.

Was that "Security Update 2009-005" for Tiger then?
Hmm, have we tried repairing permissions as yet?


Agreed. The problem is probably down in /System somewhere.

Was that "Security Update 2009-005" for Tiger then?
Hmm, have we tried repairing permissions as yet?

Yes, indeed that was the latest & greatest Tiger security updater. I'm not sure of the date I installed it as I usually wait a few days after the release of such just to ensure there are no dire consequence.

Yes, I did repair permissions. Alas, 'Twas to no avail.

I also checked TinkerTool System and MacPilot to see if some Finder setting was the root of all evil. Another strike out...

I also hunted about the web, to see how others solved this problem. AFAIK, no other soul has experienced this anomaly.

Later, when I regain access to the beast, I'll try a Safe Boot, FSCK, and zap PRAM.

On reflection, I think this is one of those cases where one feels better as long as they think they are doing something.