Slow computer? Disk Clean Up????

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Level 1

5 points

Slow computer? Disk Clean Up????

I just installed Leopard on my almost 4 year old Macbook Pro. I have the RAM maxed out at 1.5 gigs. And it's a 2 Ghz core duo.

It seems like certain things are slower now. For example, i see that spinning rainbow wheel more often now when I'm using Safari, or anything, for that matter.

Is there a "disk cleanup" on Macs?? I know PCs always had like a disk cleanup or defragmenter that frees up space and, in turn, speeds up the computer.

So yeah, that's pretty much it..... is there a "disk cleanup"?

Thanks for reading this.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 17, 2009 10:48 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,265 points

Feb 17, 2009 11:09 PM in response to richardzulu

Apple KBase article [About disk optimization with Mac OS X|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25668]

Two different views about defragmentation:

[Optimizing Disks Is a Waste of Time|http://db.tidbits.com/article/7254]

[Macintosh OS X Routine Maintenance|http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html#Anchor-31774]

The links above also have links to specific tools you can use. Here's a short list:
iDefrag
SpeedToolsX
Drive Genius
DiskWarrior defragments just the Directory
[Show Volume Fragmentation|http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/18451/showvolumefragmentatio n] (free, just shows fragmentation stats.)

The cheapest way to defragment is to clone all the files to a different drive, then erase the first volume and clone them all back again.

Basically OSX automatically defragments anything under 20 MB. As long as you leave enough free space on your drive and don't crowd it with huge files fragmentation should be within acceptable limits.

Bear in mind that Leopard requires more resources.

Message was edited by: Limnos

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Answer 2

richardzulu Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 18, 2009 7:48 PM in response to Limnos

Thank you for your response. That was very helpful.

I wish I would've never bought Leopard.

The only thing I like about it is the whopping 2 new screen savers and desktop wallpapers.

And "Spaces" is pretty cool.

Otherwise, both I and it completely blew it.

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Answer 3

Feb 19, 2009 3:41 AM in response to richardzulu

Is Spotlight still indexing - click top right of screen to see - best to let it run even if it does take several hours.

I advise unchecking Safari/Preferences/Security/Fraudulent Sites to see if that helps. Also do the equivalent for Firefox 3.

If these do not help I would consider using AppleJack - search web - perhaps print instructions before you use it.

Leopard 10.5.6 works OK on my 733 MHz G4s.

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Answer 4

richardzulu Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 22, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Neville Hillyer

Will unchecking the Fraudulent Sites tab put my computer at risk?

Thanks for responding, daddy.

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Answer 5

Feb 23, 2009 2:40 AM in response to richardzulu

No, but it could put your finances at risk if you visit a fake site and then type in your credit card details etc.

Further details here:

http://db.tidbits.com/article/9862

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