4 volumes on disk image

Why does my Mac say 499.9 shared by four volumes on the Macintosh hard drive disk utility? I have never made any partitions or changes to the hard drive and I bought it refurbished Sometimes it now runs slow and I get the spinning wheel I did a disk utility first aid to see if that would help

Does anyone know why I would have four volumes and what can I do to get rid of the spinning wheel there is 3/4 empty on the hard drive plenty of room

Posted on Jan 2, 2019 5:12 AM

Reply
18 replies

Jan 2, 2019 5:43 AM in response to Jdiak

That is a great new feature of High Sierra and later when using Apple File System APFS on the boot SSD. Now those small Volumes can share the extra space on the drive rather than having to cut the drive into four fixed pieces to get those four Volumes. That is not the source of your problems.


<<"Sometimes it now runs slow and I get the spinning wheel">>


what Model MacBook pro by year, early mid late, screen size and processor speed?


How much RAM is installed?



Jan 3, 2019 7:54 AM in response to Jdiak

DDR3L the L is for Low power, perfect for a Notebook computer, provided it is the right spec.


OWC promises that it IS the right spec, and works in your Mac or your money back. They also say that they will replace those new modules for your lifetime.


I would only go for the genuine Apple modules with only a 1-year warranty to save money, if that is an issue.


When these modules were a little more expensive, I installed ONE 8GB DIMM along with the existing 2GB DIMM and it was much faster and got me out of the Rut of simulating the extra required RAM on the drive. You can install matched pairs if you prefer. Matched pairs will be ever-so-slightly faster, but the difference is so small it can only be detected in a memory test, not in general use.


At one point in the dim distant past you had to work hard to make certain you did not buy "junk memory" that would not even work at all. If you limit yourself to reputable Mac-centric vendors like OWC, there is no longer a threat from "junk memory". OWC or similar Vendors are the experts at what lasts and what does not last, and every new DIMM they sell includes a lifetime warranty, so buy whatever they suggest with confidence.


--------

Readers who have replaced their original Rotating drives with a comparable-sized SSD drive report, "It's like getting a whole new computer!" Startup and Applications launching are dramatically faster, and many ordinary operations are somewhat faster.


But if opening your computer and replacing parts is new for you, you may be better off doing one upgrade at a time. The SSD swap is a bit more complex, and you can do later -- it whenever you like.



Jan 21, 2019 12:30 PM in response to Jdiak

If you do not have a recent backup, your computer is like a ticking Time bomb. You are only one disk failure away from losing EVERYTHING! Drives do not last forever. It is not a question of IF it will fail, only WHEN it will fail.




If you are using another direct-to-disk backup method that you prefer, and you currently have a recent backup, that is great. If not, you should consider using Built-in Time Machine. Take steps to acquire an external drive as soon as possible. If you buy one, a drive 2 to 3 times or larger than your boot drive is preferable for long term trouble-free operation. Do not pay extra for a drive that is fast.  (You can get by for a while with a "found" smaller drive if necessary, but it will eventually become annoying).




Attach your external drive and use


System preferences > Time machine ...




... to turn on Time Machine and specify what drive to store your Backups on.  It may ask to initialize the new drive, and that is as expected.




Time Machine may spend all afternoon making your first full backup. You can continue to do your regular work while it does this. The first Full Backup is by far the biggest backup. After that, it will work quietly and automatically in the background, without interrupting your regular work, and only save the incremental changes.




Time machine's "claim to fame" is that it is the backup that gets done, because it does not ruin performance of the rest of the computer while doing its backup operations. You do not have to set aside a "Special Time" when you only do backups. When you need it, your Time machine Backup is much more likely to be there.




How to use Time Machine to Backup or Restore your Mac:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht201250




If you choose to connect your backup drive only from time-to-time, try to do so at least every-other day, at minimum. Otherwise, it may take several hours of computation just to decide what needs to be backed up, before any files are transferred.




————


Leroydouglas also wrote a nice article about Boot Clones. This might be something to think about a little further down the line.




 How to create a boot clone




.


.

Jan 2, 2019 9:49 AM in response to Jdiak


In the US, these vendors:


http://OWC.net is still the most-recommended supplier here, because they have good return policies and a lab full of Macs. They pride themselves on their service, so they do not sell stuff that is so "difficult" it needs a lot of hand-holding to get working.


OWC sells their own private-label SSD drives, which are pretty good and reasonably priced, and you know they will work in your Mac.


Look for the "My Upgrades" link on their main page, and it will lead you to parts that will work in your specific Mac.


http://DataMemorySystems.com is less often recommended, but very close in service and real-world testing, and often a little cheaper for comparable products with the same terms.


http://crucial.com is often recommended because they have a great track record of supplying stuff that works first time, every time. Personally, I am not as fond of them because they use their database of what sales "stick" rather than a lab full of Macs to obtain their results. Their recommendations tend to be more conservative than others, and they sometimes discontinue parts for older Macs before other sites do.


--------

All of these vendors have a lookup program where you enter the specs of your computer, and they recommend the parts that will work under these terms:


"It works in your Mac,

or your money Back." (it costs them money to get it wrong, so they make certain they get it right.)


Also, a Lifetime Warranty is standard, and their added vendor stickers on the modules are all you need for proof of purchase if you ever need a return.

Jan 2, 2019 10:56 AM in response to Jdiak

Would you like to view a professionally produced video of how to Install memory (or disk drive) in exactly your MacBook Pro 13-in 2012?


https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbookpro-13-unibody-mid12/


Then you could decide how difficult, and whether you would be up to the challenge.


EDIT: OOPs, I first posted the link for the Retina display model, which unlike yours does NOT have upgradeable RAM.

Jan 2, 2019 7:03 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hardware Overview:


  Model Name:MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier:MacBookPro9,2

  Processor Name:Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed:2.5 GHz

  Number of Processors:1

  Total Number of Cores:2

  L2 Cache (per Core):256 KB

  L3 Cache:3 MB

  Memory:4 GB

  Boot ROM Version:222.0.0.0.0

  SMC Version (system):2.2f44

  Serial Number (system):DX*****5WV

  Hardware UUID:3095E2B3-4279-5DF3-AFFF-14BD36F55D89

  Sudden Motion Sensor:

  State:Enabled375.49 gb available of 499.9 gb

Your Mac contains 2 memory slots, each of which accepts

a 1600 MHz DDR3 memory module. All memory slots are currently in use.



[Personal Information Edited by Host]

Jan 2, 2019 7:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

OK, So I am a replacing memory, I dont know what all these things mean although the video makes it look simple? According to what I am looking at on the first site below this would be the comparable memory to Macbook 13" mid 2012 (June 201) 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 with 4GB 1600MHz DDR3? Scroll down and I have a few questions...



8.0GB (2x 4GB) PC3-12800 DDR3L 1600MHz SO-DIMM 204 Pin CL11 Memory Upgrade Kit

OWC Lifetime Advance Replacement Limited Warranty.

Mfr P/N: 1600DDR3S08S | OWC SKU: OWC1600DDR3S08S

Only $57.98

4.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L 1600MHz SO-DIMM 204 Pin CL11 SO-DIMM Memory Module

4.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L 1600MHz SO-DIMM 204 Pin CL11 SO-DIMM Memory Module for 2012 MacBook Pro models (non-Retina display). Lifetime Limited Warranty.

Mfr P/N: 1600DDR3S4GB | OWC SKU: OWC1600DDR3S4GB

$28.99


You are saying I can do up to 2 x 8GB? The Memory Upgrade kit says DDRL3L (what does "L" stand for, is this the correct part) Also If I upgrade the Memory is this going to affect other parts of the computer by adding new parts with the old? Why do you say Upgrading the two slots of 8GB/for 16GB Total is a diminishing return?? How much time am I buying on this laptop as far as keeping up with the operating systems as they upgrade?

In other words my computer is empty and I need at least 6 GB to run OSX

I could also do two 4GB for total of 8GB? Which would be all that is required at this time. I could also do one 2GB and one 8GB.

But if I understand you it is it better to do two matching Memory Cards?

If you were upgrading your computer what would you do the 2-4gb/1-8gb with original 2gb/ or 2-8gbs? Any of the options are all below $100 to get rid of the spinning wheel so if price didn't determine what is best?

They have Apple factory original used drives with 1 year guarantees on this site as well. I was wondering also if

it is better to use Apple original parts for compatibility?

Also is there a difference in where it's manufactured? There are 3 placed the memory cards are made. In Micron, Elpedia, or the Hynix Factories is there a difference or a superior factory or can we find out wherever my mac was manufactured?

Does it make sense to swap out any other parts when upgrading the RAM? Like SSD? Battery etc. Below are the Apple Memory Modules. Let me know what your thoughts are.


(*) 4.0GB Apple-Micron Factory Original PC12800 DDR3L 204 Pin CL11 1600MHz SO-DIMM Module *Used / Pu

for all 2011 iMac, all 2012-2015 iMac 27”, 2011-pre-2014 Mac mini, and 2011-2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina display) models. Used. 1 Year OWC Fulfilled…

Mfr P/N: APL12MICDR3S4GB | OWC SKU: APL12MICDR3S4GB

(*) 4.0GB Apple-Elpida Factory Original PC12800 DDR3L 204 Pin CL11 1600MHz SO-DIMM Module *Used / Pu

for all 2011 iMac, all 2012-2015 iMac 27", 2011-pre-2014 Mac mini, and 2011-2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina display) models. *Used, OWC Tested*. 1 Year…

Mfr P/N: 12ELPDR3S4GB | OWC SKU: APL12ELPDR3S4GB

$19.75

(*) 4.0GB Apple-Hynix Factory Original PC12800 DDR3L 204 Pin CL11 1600MHz SO-DIMM Module

for all 2011 iMac, all 2012-2015 iMac 27", 2011-pre-2014 Mac mini, and 2011-2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina display) models. *Used, OWC Tested*. 1 Year…

Mfr P/N: APL12HYNDR3S4GB | OWC SKU: APL12HYNDR3S4GB

Jan 3, 2019 8:39 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

OK then I will go with the OWC Memory Cards 2-8gb. Also does this wipe out anything I have stored on the computer?


How about the SSD. Would that wipe out anything I have stored on the computer?


Also If I do the drive what am I looking for in a SSD and what noticeable differences will it make as far as performance.


How much longer will I get out of this computer by doing these type of upgrades?

Jan 21, 2019 12:31 PM in response to Jdiak

Hi,

I did the ram and battery upgrade on the 2012 13" MacBook Pro with two-8GB Ram Memory Cards and it is running great! I am still interested in updating the Hard Drive. Could you tell me what SSD is compatible? You said it was a little complicated. Would I lose what is stored on my computer? What would this entail?


Also now I am wondering if I should do the MacBook Pro 13" I just bought this summer, it only has 8gb and occasionally shows a spinning wheel also. How much Ram can I put in?


Can you also send me install videos for both processes? Here is the specks for the second computer I am considering adding RAM to.


MacBook Pro (13", 2017, Four thunderbolt 3 Ports)

Processor 3.1 G

Processor: 3.1GHz Intel Core i5

Memory: 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3

Start Up Disk Macintosh HD

Graphics Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 1536 MB

Serial Number C0****V2M


Thank You for your Help!




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4 volumes on disk image

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