sls3310

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 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.

  • by sls3310,

    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.

  • by Glen Doggett,

    Glen Doggett Glen Doggett Sep 6, 2016 7:34 PM in response to sls3310
    Level 4 (1,863 points)
    Mac OS X
    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.

  • by Kappy,

    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.

  • by sls3310,

    sls3310 sls3310 Sep 7, 2016 4:36 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Sep 7, 2016 4:36 AM in response to Kappy

    Hi Kappy, what HW test can do that? I am only aware of the test included on CD but it only has short/long run options. Or is there another way to do this?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 7, 2016 12:17 PM in response to sls3310
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    Sep 7, 2016 12:17 PM in response to sls3310

    Then I was remembering wrong. Sorry.

  • by Glen Doggett,

    Glen Doggett Glen Doggett Sep 7, 2016 1:42 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 4 (1,863 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 7, 2016 1:42 PM in response to Kappy

    Kappy wrote:

     

    Then I was remembering wrong. Sorry.

    maybe you were thinking of a benchmarking tool, like XBench, where you can select the performance tests you want to run?

     

    A RAM memory tester is available that you can run separately:

    http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/13/test-defective-ram-rember-mac-os-x/

     

    Another hardware troubleshooting option is to remove all but one RAM stick, if large enough to run the OS, and then swap it out for each one in turn.  See if the computer functions properly with each RAM stick individually.  If one is causing a problem, then remove and replace it.  I think your iMac model has the RAM slots at the bottom of the machine and are fairly easy to access, see the installation video on the OWC web site.

     

    My order has not arrived yet, but I hope to get it this week and do my hard drive and RAM upgrades over the weekend.  Hopefully it will go smoothly.

  • by sls3310,

    sls3310 sls3310 Sep 7, 2016 2:56 PM in response to Glen Doggett
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Sep 7, 2016 2:56 PM in response to Glen Doggett

    Thanks, if nothing else I am checking I have done all the diagnostics I can before replacing the HDD. I have checked the ram as described and all seems ok (well no improvement). My main concern is if there is something wrong with the GPU etc but am getting more and more confident about the HDD. Glenn I am also planning to do the same SSD upgrade so am hoping for a positive outcome, cheaper than buying a new computer. I already have 12GB RAM which was worthwhile from the original 4.

  • by Glen Doggett,

    Glen Doggett Glen Doggett Sep 7, 2016 9:58 PM in response to sls3310
    Level 4 (1,863 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 7, 2016 9:58 PM in response to sls3310

    My order from OWC arrived a day earlier than I expected.  I could not wait for the weekend to install the RAM.  With the slots at the bottom of the machine it was fairly easy to swap the 4 old 2GB sticks out with the 4 new 4GB sticks.  I will have to wait until I have some more free time to work on the hard drive upgrade.  The video makes it look easy, but some of those connectors might be tricky to unplug to get the screen out of the way.

     

    RAM upgrade was a success!

    Screen Shot 2016-09-07 at 9.51.27 PM.png

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-07 at 9.52.37 PM.png