NewbMacUser

Q: *PLEASE HELP* Spinning beachball keeps coming up…

Hey guys, even though I've got 500mb of RAM available for OSX to use the spinning beachball comes up every now and again and when it appears I’m unable to do anything other than move my mouse. Im running latest version of OSX Mavericks.


Thanks!

Posted on Sep 5, 2014 5:52 AM

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Q: *PLEASE HELP* Spinning beachball keeps coming up…

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 12, 2014 12:06 PM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 12, 2014 12:06 PM in response to NewbMacUser

    Hard to say the approximate time required for the Mavericks OS X 10.9.5 to download

    and what else it may require while online to be a complete volume; that it may also

    look for other bits to update or finish the process may add unknown time to the total.

     

    Since your internet portal has a limited ceiling, shared across all means of access, to

    be using it much during the download duration while Mavericks is attempting to also

    download, may slow your local network access and add time to the total process...

     

    And the idea to use Ethernet cable instead of wi-fi, should help by a notable degree

    since it is faster than wireless. To be on-hand while the Mavericks installation is

    supposed to be happening, may be convenient just in case there may be a glitch or

    some interruption in the internet download process.

     

    Not sure what you may glean from reading other materials with the PC while the Mac

    is getting a re-install of a system, some of the Support materials can be helpful if they

    are applicable in the correct time sequence to their intended purpose. The Apple

    Diagnostics page covers a few things that could be done while access it via internet.

    Note the reference to using Safari while viewing part of the topic in there. However it

    does not hurt to read things if their context is accurately assessed for later usefulness.

     

    Keep in mind the total combined use of your internet will affect the time a download of

    an operating system file will take to occur; since the upgrade or replacement OS X from

    the Apple server can take some time. And the stated download or upload specs from the

    IP may not be real-world numbers. -- I know my internet service provider's are optimistic.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 13, 2014 11:53 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 13, 2014 11:53 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks for your reply!

     

    I'm not worried about my download speed of Mavericks, but I'd like to know how long the re-install of Mavericks will take.

  • by gérardfromvalenciennes,

    gérardfromvalenciennes gérardfromvalenciennes Oct 14, 2014 10:38 PM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 14, 2014 10:38 PM in response to NewbMacUser

    Hello,

    I Had the same problem on my new iMac ( 16 Go RAM - 21,5" bought in May) with this Spinning wheel which appeared at any time.

    All was blocked and I had to restart my computer by pressing the general button behind.

    I've contacted APPLE 3 times and all ( for me ) was made : clean re-install, cleaning authorizations, guest mode, new downloading of MAVERICK 4 times ( the last was on 1st of October ) and I had always the problem, Starting in safe mode, starting without extensions, starting application by application....and so on, Reset PRAM ....

    Deleting sharing the files in the main program ( Sharing ) fells a little better but not always and the wheel continue tu come again sometimes.

    I've decided to download and to test YOSEMITE in the case of..... and surprise, it runs very well on my iMac and the spinning wheel has disappeared!!!

    All my programs which have been bought are clean ( only serious programs ) and they all runs on my computer. Only one will  be update in the next days I think because it is not compatible with Yosemite.

    My iMac runs with Yosemite beta 6.

    I'm waiting the official version (may be  to morrow on 16th of October ).

    For my opinion, there is something wrong with MAVERICK and some computer ( I never had such problem with my previous iMac ( 20"  - 2008 ) and MAVERICK same update).

    If this can help, it will be a pleasure for me.

    Gerard

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 15, 2014 3:27 PM in response to gérardfromvalenciennes
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 15, 2014 3:27 PM in response to gérardfromvalenciennes

    While that may be fine, before a person upgrades to a later OS X, or if they wish to beta test

    a different software than their computer is said to support, a complete backup including a

    bootable clone on external hard disk drive, is recommended; then a path to revert exists...

     

    The issue here really is a matter of knowing or learning what the issue really was.

    Previous unsupported add-ons, third-party software, extensions, and other items;

    even a semi-defective data cable, can cause the spinning color wheel symptom.

     

    Since the beta version is not something we are not to discuss in this ASC, and the problems

    that installing one on your daily machine can mess it up, the answer has  historically been

    to correct the real cause of the problem, and not to blanket over the main issue.

     

    However if you had nothing to lose, or use a second machine for important works in

    in progress that you'd not wish to disrupt, then to randomly install a beta over your

    computer content would be ill-advised. This has been so for most OS issues.

     

    So the advice here has been to fix the cause of the problem, and don't build a new highway

    over a defective layer, if you expect to keep access to what is already in the system and the

    software that may not be supported in a later OS version. Not untoward advice, just basics.

     

    There is a discussion area available to Developers and beta users, this wasn't it.

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 15, 2014 3:33 PM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 15, 2014 3:33 PM in response to NewbMacUser

    Since I've been out of town 130+ miles for a few days, I didn't

    see your question; however the matter of your concern has

    a lot to do with the speed of your connection.

     

    The duration the installation will take, depends on how fast the

    OS X 10.9.5 system can be downloaded to your computer.

    Then figure up to an hour to fiddle around with it, to see what

    else it may or may not have automatically included in that D/L.

     

    In any event, a two or three method system of backup for your

    data from the computer and your works on external drives, to

    include but not limited to Time Machine, is recommended; even

    if not upgrading. Value is, to be able to restore at any time.

     

    Hopefully you were able to make traction & have that installed.

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 15, 2014 8:25 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 15, 2014 8:25 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks!

     

    It'd be great if I could fix this issue WITHOUT re-installing Mavericks. I'll post another log from Console so someone might be able to fix the issue without re-installing Mavericks. Is this possible?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 16, 2014 2:51 AM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 16, 2014 2:51 AM in response to NewbMacUser

    While it may be possible, the best & most reliable fix would

    probably be to install the 10.9.4 or 10.9.5 system again...

     

    Seems to me, there is a reluctance to engage in area of

    discussion, having read through several of them in ASC.

     

    You could read through instances of the topic of SBBOD

    as noted in a search of spinning beachball of death in

    google results as this example notes, and test several

    of them to see what content most likely may help; and

    see if any relate to your situation. Some may have found

    an answer that does not require an installation to work.

    But you never know what really was wrong in theirs...

    https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=mac+os+x+spinning+beach+ball

     

    Anyway, I'm looking at 1:30AM here and haven't slept.

    And have written/deleted more than this result indicates.

     

    While you could attempt another go at this topic in ASC

    there is not much headway; if you don't have a reliable

    and proven backup (one you can run the Mac from) which

    in itself can help resolve several issues, realize only a

    Time Machine backup isn't enough to restore a system.

    Some may say it is, while I suggest a restoration is to re-

    build without necessarily going online; from your archives.

     

    You could see what an Apple Authorized Service Provider

    (AASP) or Specialist would advise; however some of them

    do not always get the situation correct and their failures

    could be not unlike that of a novice, on rare occasion. Not

    sure if an Apple Store with Genius bar would be of depth;

    but they could help reinstall an all new system. It may not

    have your content in the computer, so be sure you back up.

    If you don't have it, expect nobody else will.

     

    Anyway, the hour is late and I have an early morning ahead.

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 17, 2014 8:35 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 17, 2014 8:35 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks. I really appreciate your help!

     

    I just noticed that Yosemite has been released. I'm strongly considering installing Yosemite now!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 17, 2014 9:25 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 17, 2014 9:25 PM in response to Csound1

    I'm about to install Yosemite unless someone has advice?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 17, 2014 10:36 PM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 17, 2014 10:36 PM in response to NewbMacUser

    Well, the upgrade may rid the current system of the issue, while also

    getting rid of the system; so you may have issues with the upgrade;

    but you could also attempt to reinstall the upgrade (Yosemite) again

    if it doesn't seem right. And you could migrate or use the Backup from
    Time Machine to restore your user account and attempt to keep access

    to any saved or archived works in a backup.

     

    Newer application versions may need to be acquired to be able to access

    older (pre Yosemite) works created in third-party software. There now is a

    new Yosemite ASC discussions area not in Developers section, as 10.10

    has been released. I've been looking at the variety of posts about how

    some are doing OK with it, and others are trying to revert to Mavericks.

    And those who thought to make a clone or other complete archive of their

    Mac before the upgrade have the best chance at saving all their work in it.

     

    •See new OS X Support w/ Yosemite here:

    http://www.apple.com/support/osx/

     

    OS X Yosemite -  new ASC discussion area for OS X 10.10

     

     

    So if you have or will upgrade, good luck.

     

    And be ready for the next time by learning

    how to create backups, use Recovery, and

    about the CarbonCopyClone & SuperDuper

    along with external hard drives to use clones.

     

    Hopefully you can get a working system out of this, without newer surprise

    issues that preparations made ahead of time, could resolve more easily.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 18, 2014 12:13 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 18, 2014 12:13 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks for your reply!

     

    I'm waiting for someone to advise about installing Yosemite before I go ahead with the Yosemite install.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 18, 2014 1:05 AM in response to NewbMacUser
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 18, 2014 1:05 AM in response to NewbMacUser

    Did you read into the OS X Support section to see their recommendations

    on suggested methods or information on upgrading from 10.9.x to 10.10?

     

    While I read into the new Yosemite discussions area and also the OS X

    Support main page to see they cover Yosemite officially there as of the

    release of final non-beta version to the public, & should be (or almost?)

    ready to go. There are newer computer models set to include Yosemite

    in online Apple Store, they are/will be available soon. (MB/Pro, Mini, etc.)

    Of the various ones to ship with OS X 10.10, note improved hardware.

    http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/mac-mini

     

    Anyway, I happen to be up late (midnight here) and looked in to say Hi!

  • by NewbMacUser,

    NewbMacUser NewbMacUser Oct 18, 2014 1:18 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 18, 2014 1:18 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks! Where can I read the Apple OS X Support section to see their recommendations

    on suggested methods or information on upgrading from 10.9.x to 10.10???

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Oct 18, 2014 1:22 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 9 (51,241 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 18, 2014 1:22 AM in response to K Shaffer

    I don't think that their is a section on how to upgrade a Mac that is not working correctly (hopefully) in order to fix it. It's not a best practice.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 18, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 18, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Csound1

    Well, the concept of not doing simply that has been discussed.

    As you likely may have noticed reading back; a déja vu-vu effect.

     

    A few posted elsewhere they 'fixed' one kind of issue by upgrading

    a problematic Mavericks, but they went to a Beta version. Since

    the system upgrade may have replaced anything, it was not a fix

    for most likely causes. A good backup & solid rebuild from scratch

    could help, esp. if the HDD have sector damage & other problems.

     

      OS X  - Apple Support: OS X Support Home

     

    A previous mention of this link appears to have been overlooked

    excepting the fact they do cover upgrade to Yosemite from Mav.

    no mention of what that may fix; since it's not a toolkit.

     

    Anyway, I'm tired & it's just 10AM here... Signs of a boring life?

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