imac 21.5 2017 purchased Sept 2019 running slow

Question

imac 21.5 2017 purchased Sept 2019 running slow

Hello

I purchased an iMac 2017 21.5 in September 2019. Since I've had it runs very slow, on start up after logging in, it can be quite slow. I've installed and re-installed the OS to see if that helped as I noticed when I shut down the computer, it seems to freeze and my wallpaper is just there. However, it didn't solve the problem. I have tried recovery mode and first aid, but I don't think it picked anything up.

I don't have any other programs on the computer whatsoever.

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 18, 2019 1:36 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Dec 19, 2019 8:03 AM in response to Community User

The reports indicated the HD may be failing, however it also indicates there may be adware installed on it. I would recommend downloading malwarebytes (www.malwarebytes.com) and see if it can find the adware and remove it. If it does not find anything, book an appointment at your local Apple Store or AASP to have it looked at, if it is the HD that will be covered under warranty.

Also, please remember this computer is the very basic configuration and it will always run slow as it is really only designed for doing e-mail and surfing the net and not much else. It has 8 GB of un upgradeable RAM and a glacially slow 5400 RPM HD.

Finally, I don't see any evidence that this computer is backed up. This careless and a guarantee of losing valuable data. At the very very least you should have an external HD connected and use Time Machine.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Dec 18, 2019 1:49 PM in response to Community User

Please navigate to the Mac App Store and download the free version of EtreCheck OR please click www.EtreCheck.com where you will find the app. Once you downloaded the free app and created the report please post it as your reply to this message. In order to post it, please use the following link for more detailed instructions on how to correctly include the results:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211

We can then look for obvious issues that may be causing your problem.

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,652 points

Dec 19, 2019 8:35 AM in response to Community User

This likely is the data pointing to a failing hard drive

Performance:

System Load: 2.35 (1 min ago) 1.03 (5 min ago) 0.43 (15 min ago)

Nominal I/O speed: 10.72 MB/s

File system: 33.60 seconds

Write speed: 67 MB/s

Read speed: 37 MB/s

The read speed is very low. We have an 2011 entry-level iMac with the identical drive specs and it posts write/read speeds of 112MBps/91MBps with the same test.

The computer is in warranty. Were it mine I would be making an appointment at an Apple Store to get the drive checked out. You MUST make your own backup before taking it in; Apple will not, according to their policies:

Get your Mac ready for service - Apple Support

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Answer 4