Q: Is it just a failing HDD? iMac mid 2010

I have had severe performance problems at times (stuck on beachball, often recovering after several minutes), particularly syncing with itunes, when it goes to screensaver, as well as other times.

Running the hardware diagnostics freezes part way through (requiring hard reset). Have reinstalled OSX without improvement.

A hard drive SMART analysis suggests the hard drive is failing and the errors seem to be consistent with this. Replacing the hard drive would be my only option if this is true. Before I do though, is it likely there is another reason for these problems?

Posted on Sep 6, 2016 4:17 PM

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Q: Is it just a failing HDD? iMac mid 2010

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by Kappy,

Kappy Sep 6, 2016 4:46 PM in response to sls3310
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Sep 6, 2016 4:46 PM in response to sls3310

Although the hard drive needs to be replaced, there is no assurance there isn't something else wrong since the HW test never finishes.
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by sls3310,

sls3310 Sep 6, 2016 7:13 PM in response to Kappy
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Sep 6, 2016 7:13 PM in response to Kappy

Would it be possible to run the HW test excluding the internal HDD?
I could boot from an external drive, which I suppose is in itself a diagnosis step, although the hardware test probably runs independent of the boot drive.
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by Glen Doggett,

Glen Doggett Sep 6, 2016 7:34 PM in response to sls3310
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Notebooks

Sep 6, 2016 7:34 PM in response to sls3310

I just got one of those similar vintage machines, no problems yet, but I am not sure how old the hard drive is and am planning to replace it with an SSD. I just ordered this SSD replacement kit. OWC has installation videos for both the 27" and 21.5" models.
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/KITIM09HE1TB/

I also ordered 16GB RAM for it to replace the 8GB original RAM.
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/1333DDR3S16S/

If you have an external drive that you can boot from, that might help you determine if the problem is with your internal drive. Hopefully you have a backup.
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by Kappy,

Kappy Sep 6, 2016 10:09 PM in response to sls3310
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Sep 6, 2016 10:09 PM in response to sls3310

Yes, you can run a HW test unchecking the drive.
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Q: Is it just a failing HDD? iMac mid 2010

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by Kappy,

by sls3310,

by Glen Doggett,

by Kappy,

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