Rainbow colored spinning wheel with every key I push on iMac

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Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Rainbow colored spinning wheel with every key I push on iMac

I have an iMac

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

MacOS Catalina

Version 10.15.7

Memory 8GB

I think I know what I need to do, BUT!!! That is a very big BUT.

I think

(1) I need to backup my computer to an external hard drive.

(2) Take my computer to Apple to have it wiped clean????

(3) Bring my computer home and reinstall everything, item by item???

I question, is this really possible to do?

I have tried going through my files in order to delete items.. It has taken so long, and overall I have not ended up deleting that much.

I can't help wondering how long it would take to move each item from the external hard drive back to my computer. Seriously, is it possible to go through all these files in one lifetime? Apparently people do it. Am I missing something?

I bought this computer about 10 years ago, mainly for my old family photos and videos and old home movies. I love what I have been able to do with it. And I certainly do not want to lose them. But obviously, I cannot do anything more the way the compute is acting. I am 83 years old but I can follow clear instructions. But seriously, is it possible to transfer all of the files back to my computer within a reasonable amount of time.

Thank you for your help.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 20, 2021 12:26 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jack-19

Level 8

46,188 points

Nov 20, 2021 5:14 PM in response to Maryann108

➡️ First, you need a Time Machine backup. For Time Machine, you need an external hard drive, such as the high-quality SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE - Western Digital.

This very large external drive will allow you to backup all the drives you have. To format it, follow these steps:

Go to Disk Utility (Finder > Go > Utilities)
In Disk Utility, select “View” > “Show All Devices”.
Select the top and non-indented drive in the external section of Disk Utility that matches the name of your external drive.
Click Erase
Name: any name you want
Format: Use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) if you are using macOS Catalina or earlier, or APFS if you are using macOS Big Sur or later.
Scheme: GUID Partition Map
Click Erase

Finally, setup Time Machine: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support.

➡️ 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. For the external SSD, I would recommend the 1TB capacity.

Cheers,

Jack

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Answer 2

Jack-19

Level 8

46,188 points

Nov 20, 2021 12:40 PM in response to Maryann108

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Let's start with an EtreCheck report to identify why your iMac is slow. EtreCheck is a useful App to diagnose and identify issues, both hardware and software. It is trusted by many users. Please follow the steps outlined below:

Navigate to: https://etrecheck.com and get the free version of EtreCheckPro.
Download it. It is a free and trusted app. It is often recommended here on Apple Support Communities.
Open EtreCheck, and before running the report, be sure to check “Allow full Drive Access” at the bottom of the EtreCheckPro window.
Run the report, and put it in a post, as seen here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211. We will then examine the report for issues in your Mac.

Cheers,

Jack

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Answer 3

Jack-19

Level 8

46,188 points

Nov 20, 2021 2:40 PM in response to Maryann108

Try to follow these steps: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211.

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Answer 4

Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 20, 2021 12:43 PM in response to Jack-19

Jack,

I am so sorry but I am afraid I am in over my head.

I did make it to: Get the macOS Installer, but I am stuck.

I tried going on to Google videos, but not knowing what I am doing, I am afraid to pick out a video to try to follow.

I used to think I was pretty good with computers but I must now admit my 83 years have caught up with me.

I just can't get through this paragraph and get the macOS Installer done.

Can you please help me?

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Answer 5

Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Nov 20, 2021 2:36 PM in response to Jack-19

Jack,

I see the additional text box but I still cannot figure how to send the long file.

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Answer 6

Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Nov 20, 2021 2:51 PM in response to Maryann108

Ballooning

ballooning

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Answer 7

Jack-19

Level 8

46,188 points

Dec 19, 2021 1:06 PM in response to Maryann108

As outlined in the User Tip, use Disk Utility.

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Answer 8

Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Nov 22, 2021 11:18 AM in response to Jack-19

Jack,

Thank you for your detailed instructions.

I do have the time-machine backup on my Seagate external hard drive and it is now working again. (During the recent possible electrical outage, I must have pulled the plug on the external drive, before i shut down the computer.. But it is now back working.)

I tried to include a photo of my Seagate hard drive but the photo is too large.

But bottom line: My seagate external drive is 1TB. The note on it says "104.88 GB available of 999.86 GB."

I found the G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD R-Series Storage and have placed an order. It will be about Jan. 1 when it arrives.

Thank you again Jack.

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Answer 9

Maryann108 Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 19, 2021 8:11 AM in response to Maryann108

Jack,

I hope you are still there.

I received my new external SSD and I am following "How to Setup and Use an External SSD as your Startup Disk on a Desktop Mac". I have mac OS Catalina.

I made it as far as "Format" and I am stuck.

I went to Finder>Go>Utilities.

My possible selections are as follows:

Activity Monitor

Adobe Installers

Airport Utility

Audio MIDI Setup

Bluetooth File Exchange

Etc, etc, etc

Can you help me?

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Rainbow colored spinning wheel with every key I push on iMac

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