Greg Johnson4

Q: Reformat my iMac?

I have a 27" iMac Intel Core i5 w/8GB RAM made in Dec 2012, now running OSX Mavericks. I haven't upgraded my system b/c I'm concerned that my Adobe CS6 and other apps won't be compatible, which I still need. I've been migrating my apps and files over the last 3 iMacs in the past 10+ years every time I get a new Mac. I make sure all necessary software updates are done as they come up.

 

I've been experiencing repetitive problems over the past year that have been fixed with the help of Applecare Support and trial and error, but my Applecare has just expired. The biggest issue is that apps are running sluggishly and take forever to load--up to 3 minutes sometimes. Then there's the spinning beachball. Apps sometimes become unresponsive and I have to force quit them. Sometimes a hard shut down is required and as many as 2-3 restarts to get back to "normal". I experience problems when web browsing where websites won't load and get stuck trying to reload pages (this may be a font issue according to my last Applecare fix). I'm using Malwarebytes but it rarely finds anything suspicious and Tech Tool also hasn't come up with anything suspicious. I'm wondering if migrating old files/apps every time I get a new Mac is causing it to be sluggish. Or is it font issues? (I work with dozens of fonts and many stay active in my font utility.)

 

I'm considering starting over and reformatting this Mac. Upgrading to the new OSX. I want to selectively migrate old files and apps to the reformatted Mac and upgrade those that don't work anymore. It's either that or a new Mac purchase, but would prefer trying to make this one work better. My MacBook Pro is running the same OS and operates so much snappier.

 

Suggestions appreciated. Is there somewhere I can read about reformatting in detail? Reinstalling old files and apps from a backup drive?

 

Thanks to all who took the time to read this and reply.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jan 21, 2016 10:09 PM

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Q: Reformat my iMac?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by brenden dv,Helpful

    brenden dv brenden dv Jan 24, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Greg Johnson4
    Community Specialists
    Jan 24, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Greg Johnson4

    Hi Greg,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues with your iMac. Given the broad range of general performance issues your are describing, you may first want to make sure that it isn't a simple resource issue (apologies if you have already done so). If you open Activity Monitor, you should be able to see if these periods of slowness or stalling coincide with excessive memory usage/pressure, high CPU utilization, low available disk space/high volume of disk read/writes, etc. You may find the information and steps outlined in the following articles helpful:

     

    Use Activity Monitor on your Mac - Apple Support

    OS X Mavericks: If your Mac runs slowly

     

    Regards

  • by Greg Johnson4,

    Greg Johnson4 Greg Johnson4 Jan 24, 2016 11:19 AM in response to brenden dv
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 24, 2016 11:19 AM in response to brenden dv

    Thanks, Brenden.

     

    I'm using the EtreCheck you suggested and will see if it sheds any light on the problems. I have not used the Activity Monitor, so will use that the next time there's a problem. I'm going to print the results of the test below for your review and comment. Before I do, I really believe my Mac may need a system cleanse from all of the crap that's accumulated from migrating over the years. If you could also instruct me as to where I can find detailed instructions on reformatting, I'd appreciate it.

     

    EtreCheck results:

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.7.7 (237)

    Report generated 2016-01-24 11:05:19

    Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 5:04

    Performance: Below Average

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

    Click the [Check files] link for help with unknown files.

     

    Problem: Computer is too slow

     

    Hardware Information:

        iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac13,2

        1 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

        8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

            BANK 0/DIMM1

                Empty  

            BANK 1/DIMM1

                Empty  

        Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information:

        NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M - VRAM: 512 MB

            iMac 2560 x 1440

     

    System Software:

        OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 (13F1603) - Time since boot: about 2 days

     

    Disk Information:

        APPLE HDD ST1000DM003 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (414.10 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

     

    USB Information:

        DYMO DYMO LabelWriter 4XL

        Apple Inc. iPhone

        Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

            Logitech USB Receiver

            Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

        Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Inc. MacBook Air SuperDrive

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

     

    Thunderbolt Information:

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

            Apple Inc. Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter

     

    Gatekeeper:

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Unknown Files:

        ~/Library/LaunchAgents/.dat014b.001

        One unknown file found. [Check files]

     

    Kernel Extensions:

            /Applications/TechTool Pro 7.app

        [not loaded]    com.micromat.driver.spdKernel (1 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

     

            /Library/Extensions

        [loaded]    com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver (3.9.1 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.logitech.manager.kernel.driver (5.40.1 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [loaded]    com.Logitech.Unifying.HID Driver (1.3.0 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.dymo.usbprinterclassdriver.kext (1.1 - SDK 10.5) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.2.3 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.tomtom.driver.UsbEthernetGadget (1.0.0d1) [Support]

        [not loaded]    jp.co.epson.driver.EpsonNet_PSUSBNotSeize (1.0.0) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

        [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.2.3 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.2.3 - SDK 10.5) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.2.3 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

     

    Launch Agents:

        [running]    com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist [Support]

        [running]    com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.logitech.manager.daemon.plist [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.adobe.adobeupdatedaemon.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.agsservice.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [loaded]    .dat014b.001 (hidden) [Support]

            /Applications/SpamSieve.app/Contents/Frameworks/SpamSieveFramework.framework/Re sources/SpamSieveLaunchAgent /Applications/SpamSieve.app

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.linotype.FontFolderProtector.plist [Support]

     

    User Login Items:

        TomTomMyDriveConnectHelper    UNKNOWN  (missing value)

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        MyDriveConnect    UNKNOWN  (missing value)

        Default Folder X Helper    Application  (/Library/PreferencePanes/Default Folder X.prefPane/Contents/Resources/Default Folder X Helper.app)

        MagicMenu    Application  (/Applications/StuffIt/MagicMenu.app)

        Dropbox    Application  (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

        TuneupMyMac    UNKNOWN  (missing value)

        SecureClient    Application  (/opt/CPsrsc-50/bin/SecureClient.app)

     

    Other Apps:

        [running]    [0x0-0x3e03e].CCXProcess

        [running]    [0x0-0x48048].CCLibrary

        [running]    [0x0-0xb00b].com.adobe.Photoshop

        [running]    com.Growl.GrowlHelperApp.1440

        [running]    com.adobe.acc.AdobeDesktopService.88560.B6A6018E-1F55-419E-BB54-EDB196972BE0

        [running]    com.adobe.accmac.87680

        [running]    com.etresoft.EtreCheck.92784

        [running]    com.getdropbox.dropbox.38400

        [running]    com.stclairsoft.DefaultFolderX.helper.64800

        [running]    com.stuffit.MagicMenu.49136

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        DYMO NPAPI Addin: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 [Support]

        Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

        Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.2.4 [Support]

        DYMO Safari Addin: Version: Unknown - SDK 10.4 [Support]

        CouponPrinter-FireFox: Version: Version 1.0.11

        AdobeAAMDetect: Version: 3.0.0.0 - SDK 10.9 [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

        OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.2 [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

        Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.6.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: Version: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

        Silverlight: Version: 5.1.40416.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        Application Enhancer  [Support]

        Default Folder X  [Support]

        Flash Player  [Support]

        Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]

        Growl  [Support]

        Logitech Control Center  [Support]

        Logi Options Launcher  [Support]

        NetUpdate  [Support]

        TechTool Protection  [Support]

        WindowShade X  [Support]

     

    Time Machine:

        Skip System Files: NO

        Mobile backups: OFF

        Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 585.25 GB

        Destinations:

            Seagate Backup Plus Drive [Local]

            Total size: 2.00 TB

            Total number of backups: 76

            Oldest backup: 9/18/13, 12:37 AM

            Last backup: 1/12/16, 4:43 PM

            Size of backup disk: Adequate

                Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 585.25 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

            10%    mdworker(6)

             3%    kernel_task

             3%    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(12)

             3%    WindowServer

             1%    iTunes

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        2.98 GB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(12)

        846 MB    kernel_task

        279 MB    iTunes

        188 MB    Mail

        180 MB    com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        21 MB    Free RAM

        7.00 GB    Used RAM (551 MB Cached)

        0 B    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information:

        Jan 23, 2016, 07:10:48 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_2016-01-23-191048_ [redacted].crash

            /System/Library/StagedFrameworks/Safari/WebKit.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices /com.apple.WebKit.WebContent.xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

        Jan 21, 2016, 08:33:02 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/launchd_2016-01-21-203302_[redacted].crash

            launchd - /opt/CPsrsc-50/*/SecureClient.app/Contents/MacOS/SecureClient

        Jan 21, 2016, 08:32:01 PM    Self test - passed

        Jan 21, 2016, 08:28:10 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/LCCDaemon_2016-01-21-202810_[redacted].crash

            com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon - /Library/Application Support/Logitech.localized/*/LCCDaemon.app/Contents/MacOS/LCCDaemon

        Jan 21, 2016, 08:26:00 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/storeagent_2016-01-21-202600_[redacted].crash

            /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CommerceKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/st oreagent

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:37 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Adobe InDesign CC 2015_2016-01-21-160337_[redacted].crash

            com.adobe.InDesign - /Applications/Adobe InDesign CC 2015/Adobe InDesign CC 2015.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe InDesign CC 2015

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:12 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160312_[redacted].crash

            com.adobe.cep.CEPHtmlEngine Helper - /Applications/Adobe InDesign CC 2015/Adobe InDesign CC 2015.app/Contents/MacOS/CEP/CEPHtmlEngine/CEPHtmlEngine.app/Contents/Frameworks /CEPHtmlEngine Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/CEPHtmlEngine Helper

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:09 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160309_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:07 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160307_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:05 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160305_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:02 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160302_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:03:00 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160300_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:57 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160257_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:55 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160255_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:52 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160252_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:50 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160250_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:47 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160247_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:45 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160245_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:42 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160242_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:40 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160240_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:38 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160238_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:35 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160235_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:33 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160233_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:30 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160230_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:28 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160228_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 04:02:25 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CEPHtmlEngine Helper_2016-01-21-160225_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 01:40:54 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/launchd_2016-01-21-134054_[redacted].crash

        Jan 21, 2016, 12:44:04 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Cyberduck_2016-01-21-124404_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/Cyberduck.app/Contents/MacOS/Cyberduck

        Jan 21, 2016, 12:20:23 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Adobe InDesign CC 2015_2016-01-21-122023_[redacted].crash