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All replies
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Helpful answers
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Oct 2, 2012 12:37 PM in response to nadinefromwaby babowa,I'm glad you have 2 x 4 GB RAM sticks and that 2 slots are empty - that makes it super easy! You can get another set of 2 x 4 GB RAM and put them in the empty slots which will then give you 16 GB. Here is where you can get the RAM:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2011/DDR3_21.5_27
Unless you want to take out the RAM that is there now (so you can put in even more), you will want the 4th one down for $50.88 - that is for 2 x 4 GB.
Also check out their install videos (it is easy to do):
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_mid_2011_mem/
As for your hard drive: one of the rules I read about is that for rendering, you need to have at least as much as the files you are working on as a "spare" empty space. So, if you have just over 240 GB available and you are trying to process a lot of files in 1080 HD, you are probably processing more than that. I mostly shoot dance competitions and one dance (up to 4 minutes) clip is about 2 GB in 1080. If you are shooting for an hour or more - add it up!
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Oct 2, 2012 4:38 PM in response to babowaby nadinefromwa,Thanks babowa. I actually had 2 empty because I unplugged my P2 card reader. So more RAM takes up a USB port? I thought adding more RAM would be difficult. I'll do it. How would I take out the RAM that is there now. Is that in the video? If it's easy, I'll do that instead. I'll go check it out. I want as much as I can get. I hate problems and will do whatever is necessary to avoid them.
So, in the interim, I had issues and while re-booting yet again, an option for update was presented to me on the screen. I did it, and things seem to be running much better. (cross my fingers) I'm still exporting to the external drive, and tip toeing while I save everything there before I delete these files and attempt another capture. But I have a good feeling. (Also deleting the MXF files from the P2 card after copying might have helped a bit.)
We'll see how it goes. You all have been a wealth of information and very kind.
Thank you so much.
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Oct 2, 2012 5:07 PM in response to nadinefromwaby babowa,No, you misunderstood the other post: he was referring to external hard drives and their connections: Firewire is much faster than USB. I would not transfer large files using USB - it is s.l.o.w. I prefer hard drives with firewire 800 connections - much faster. And an external drive has nothing to do with RAM.
Take a look at the installation video I linked to - the RAM is on the bottom of your iMac. You lay it down with the screen down and remove a small cover (make sure you have a tiny screwdriver). You'll see four slots - 2 of yours have RAM modules in them and 2 are empty. Since you just paid Apple for the upgrade, I'd consider leaving those two and adding 2 x 4 GB for a total of 16 GB, which should be plenty.
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Oct 3, 2012 5:16 AM in response to babowaby nadinefromwa,babowa, I'm beginning to re-consider what my problem is. I'm going to get the additional RAM, but I think the nature of what's happening is pointing in another direction and I don't want to throw good money after bad. I was working along yesterday evening without incident - everything was great. I've exported sequences to the external in preparation for dismanteling this project and doing the RAM surgery as soon as I am able . I went to bed and got up and my screen is black. I hit enter (which used to bring up the screen when I first got the mac) and nothing happened so I hit the button on the back and the machine woke up. Now the bouncing beachball is spinning and it appears that I'm frozen once again. Nothing was happening during this time. That doesn't sound like a RAM problem to me. Is it? I'm reconsidering the lemon theory. This can't go on.
Oh, about the firewire, I do understand that firewire is preferrable to USB for transfer. I am curious though, when we speak of the speed of transfer being a problem, are we referring to time or quality? Always thought I knew, but probably don't.
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Oct 3, 2012 5:49 AM in response to nadinefromwaby nadinefromwa,I closed my program, and now I'm able to view the Activity Monitor while the spinning beachball continues and hovers over whats in my external drive. In red, the monitor states "finder (not responding)" So I quit the process (finder) and now its not coming up. It couldn't be possible to actually quit the entire option so how do I get it back? How can I access anything?
I seriously had a problem with a PC years ago that I had to replace almost immediately after buying it because it was simply a lemon. I never had those problems again with any machine. Doesn't all this random freezing and beach ball spinning sound just a little much for a brand new computer that I haven't used a full 1/2 of space on? This is normal? I'm thinking if it is, and the Mac is this sensitive...
I managed to shut it down again. Back to the white screen...
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Oct 3, 2012 5:58 AM in response to nadinefromwaby RRFS,I would take it in because it sounds like either a hard drive issue or a logic board problem. Run this test in extended mode and maybe even a couple of times
To identify potential hardware problems: Apple Hardware Test
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Oct 3, 2012 5:58 AM in response to nadinefromwaby roam,Nadine,
Make an appointment at the store where you bought this. Explain its problems and ask them to fix it. It is only one month old and there is no need for you to rely on this website, as helpful as people here are, for you have warranty and you should use it.
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Oct 3, 2012 6:18 AM in response to roamby nadinefromwa,Thank you. This is my fear and why I was hoping it was something I could fix. I ordered it from Apple. I live in the middle of nowhere so I order everything. This is a big problem. Thank you though for your advice. I will run the test RRFS suggested to be sure and then contact Apple. I hope their return policy is not painful and long. I'll do the test first.
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Oct 3, 2012 7:57 AM in response to nadinefromwaby babowa,The hardware test is not 100% - an Apple repair facility has much more advanced equipment to run tests of course. It could be a hardware problem; however, it could also and very simply be a total incompatibility problem of some software you've installed. Just out of curiosity, do you have any anti-virus software or something called MacKeeper (or similar) installed? And, what do you have in your log in items (System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login items)? Some items there will cause delays during startup or wakeup.
As for taking it in: did you buy Applecare? If so, you can request in home service for a desktop computer as long as you live within 50 miles of an authorized service provider.
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Oct 3, 2012 8:04 AM in response to babowaby nadinefromwa,I'm going to call a local Mac guy this morning just to make sure. I'm going to check on all that. I don't have any new programs or software on here except the Premier Pro. My email is not working either so that's not a part. I haven't had it long enough to do harm is the thing. Only the video which has not really taken enough room to crowd things yet. I'm going to do some more checking. Will report back if I find the solution.
(Am I supposed to get an antivirus? I thought Mac was immune)
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Oct 3, 2012 8:09 AM in response to nadinefromwaby babowa,No no no........ I was hoping your problems were the result of having installed anti virus - it would have been relatively easy then: get rid of the AV = get rid of problems.
You could also try, as a last idea (and the one Apple now uses ): Do a restart or bootup while holding down Command + Option + R keys and let recovery reinstall your system. Before installing, Disk Utility should show on a screen: use repair disk, repair permissions, and then quit Disk Utility and proceed with installing over the top.
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Oct 3, 2012 9:11 AM in response to babowaby nadinefromwa,I will try that if the problem persists but right now I'm wondering if it isn't a compatibility issue with the external hard drive I bought that is supposed to be compatible with either Mac or PC. I have removed it fromt the iMac and (for now) things are working again....I also have a call to a local person who is a certified mac repair person so I can get right down to it. I just don't have time to search and rescue right now. But I really appreciate everything!! If I had more time, I would try everything out but I have paying customers waiting.
Thanks again!!
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Oct 3, 2012 9:20 AM in response to nadinefromwaby babowa,What's the brand of the hard drive?
And did you install any of its' included default software (which is totally unnecessary)?
And did you format it in Disk Utility for Mac (most are formatted for PC by default)?