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User profile for user: Udamongkee
Udamongkee Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

2017 iMac noise and erratic behavior

After my iMac is on for a few hours, it will start making a weird noise that is coming from the speakers and the volume of which is dependent on the output volume. The noise is like a cartoon sound of bubbles being produced rapidly. When this noise starts, the Apple menu behaves erratically - pointing the cursor at anything in the list results in the cursor jumping around and flashing. Also, the computer can’t be put to sleep. If I select Sleep, it just wakes up. Inevitably, when this noise starts, I have to shut down the computer - usually for an hour or so. I assume something is overheating but not sure what. Any ideas are welcome!

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 25, 2023 9:57 AM

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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
210,527 points

Posted on Mar 25, 2023 12:03 PM

Don't know if Sophos is causing the problem but it's totally unnecessary. First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
210,527 points

Mar 25, 2023 12:03 PM in response to Udamongkee

Don't know if Sophos is causing the problem but it's totally unnecessary. First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  



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2017 iMac noise and erratic behavior

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