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My iMac is running very slow with long delays and "Beachballing" when opening up Apps or moving between them, in particular after Shutdown or Restart, but always in fact. I've run analysis using EtreCheckPro which has produced a report. I am definitely not a tech, can anyone look at the report for me and make some suggestions. I'd insert the report here but am unsure how. Many thanks in anticipation.
iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.0
Time Machine auto backups are disabled. Please turn this on.
However, the reason your iMac is very slow is due to the 5400 rpm hard drive. If you use an external SSD and run macOS from that, it will make your Mac 10 to 30 times faster for storage. For more info, instructions, and what external SSD to buy, please read: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.
Cheers,
Jack
Time Machine auto backups are disabled. Please turn this on.
However, the reason your iMac is very slow is due to the 5400 rpm hard drive. If you use an external SSD and run macOS from that, it will make your Mac 10 to 30 times faster for storage. For more info, instructions, and what external SSD to buy, please read: How to Setup and Use an External SSD as y… - Apple Community.
Cheers,
Jack
Many thanks for that Jack. I've turned on Time Machine (I had been trying to run Backup Scheduler with little success) and ordered the SSD. Hopefully that will improve things a lot once installed. I'll keep this open until then just in case I have another question.
Thanks again for your help. Cheers, David
SSD up and running and, wow, what a difference. Thank you so much for this, my iMac is now running like an express instead of like a 100 year-old steam train. You are providing an enormous service for people with minimal technical skills like me (as well as lots of others I'm sure).
Thanks so much again, greatly appreciated. Cheers, David
Spurs, did you run into any hiccups installing your new ssd?
I have no tech skills whatsoever but the instructions Jack posted seem very thorough. I have a 2013 21" iMac with the same beachball and freezing issues and have thought about an ssd but have never worked up the nerve to try.
Thanks
No GW208, it went exactly as per described in the information. In fact most fields mentioned in the instructions were the default so nothing had to be selected. Make sure you take a Time Machine backup immediately prior to starting the process so you can restore from the correct date/time. The instructions are easy to follow, even for me. I had taken my iMac into an Apple "experts" shop and they found nothing wrong and had no suggestions ($AUD150 down the drain). I wish I'd asked this forum earlier a few years ago. I was about to spend over $AUD2,000 on a new iMac but it is now like it was when brand new.
From the instructions I believe you would need the same SSD as I purchased (G-Technology G-Drive) which cost me $AUD250.
Good Luck.
Sorry for not replying and thanking you and Jack sooner Spurs. I found the recommended SSD at our local Best Buy in stock and on sale for $90. As you said, the instructions were perfect and I can't believe how much faster my computer is and I'm so sorry I didn't do this sooner. I've almost forgotten what a beachball is as I haven't seen one since connecting the SSD.
I did have a couple of hiccups though. Pressing and holding the Command & R keys at startup wasn't working, only the regular screen would come up. An internet search brought me right back here to the community and the suggestion to use a wired instead of wireless keyboard. Luckily my wife had one that I plugged in and was all set to get started. That's when the second problem showed up, there was no Command key on it.🤦♂️
Back to the internet to find out that the Windows key was the Command key and from there it was clear sailing.
Thanks again to all here who share their time and experience with us.
Sorry for not replying and thanking you and Jack sooner Spurs.
You're welcome!
I found the recommended SSD at our local Best Buy in stock and on sale for $90.
Good deal! Glad you found that!
I did have a couple of hiccups though. Pressing and holding the Command & R keys at startup wasn't working, only the regular screen would come up. An internet search brought me right back here to the community and the suggestion to use a wired instead of wireless keyboard. Luckily my wife had one that I plugged in and was all set to get started. That's when the second problem showed up, there was no Command key on it.🤦♂️
Sorry about that. I actually just updated the User Tip to avoid the step of using Recovery Mode due to this issue. Sorry it was not sooner!
Cheers,
Jack
HI jack i had a question for you when i setup my external SSD i did not name it Macintosh HD i named it Apple SSD does this matter and should i go in there and rename it ?? Thanks much and glad your steps worked for these two i followed someone else stuff online , and wish i would followed this now.
No, no, no Jack, there is no need for you to apologize, your instructions were invaluable in giving me the confidence to install the SSD. I was ready to buy a new computer but now there is no need as I feel like I have one.
I only mentioned the hiccups because I thought they were kind of comical, it was not a problem.
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.
Please upload the EtreCheck report as per How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community.
Jack
Thanks for responding Jack. I've attached the report as requested. Cheers, David
iMac Beachballing
