Why is Sonoma so slow to start up?

After upgrading to Sonoma from Ventura I find the start up time on my 2019 Intel iMac very slow. From turning on to complete desktop function it takes about 7 minutes. Surely this cannot be right. I have waited for several days to let things settle but it is very frustrating. Is there anything I can do?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 4:21 AM

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1 reply
Question marked as Helpful

Oct 26, 2023 4:25 AM in response to MiqsPix

Disconnect ALL External Drives - Firstly


To avoid the question / answer and question answer scenario


Suggest the User start with Points 1 to 4 and then Test


Still having issues, move onto Steps 5 and 6 and Test Again


Still no resolve - move onto Step 7 and follow instructions therein 


1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

24 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Oct 26, 2023 4:25 AM in response to MiqsPix

Disconnect ALL External Drives - Firstly


To avoid the question / answer and question answer scenario


Suggest the User start with Points 1 to 4 and then Test


Still having issues, move onto Steps 5 and 6 and Test Again


Still no resolve - move onto Step 7 and follow instructions therein 


1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

Oct 27, 2023 6:45 AM in response to P. Phillips

Following your notes I disconnected my two external drives and have run a safe boot. Also tried a second user account but it still seemed to be as slow on start up taking approx 6-7 mins. I then ran Etrecheck and note you would like me to send a report of the findings. Unfortunately I do not understand how to send this. 


You say  Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<. Please explain further.


All the issues discovered are minor issues of which there is seven which all have “review” sub pages attached. I am now at a loss to understand what to do.


Please advise.  I am confused.

Thank you in anticipation.

Oct 28, 2023 7:12 AM in response to MiqsPix

Short answer and not being fipplent.


Would suggest exploring in purchasing a new or newer computer with a Solid State Drive ( SSD ) with a drive capacity of at least equal to or larger than your current 1.00TB Mechanical - 5400 ROM  - Fusion) drive 


While your are at it, make sure the RAM is at least 16 GB 


Both the above will help future-proof your anticipated computer needs


Notation -  New or Newer Apple computers can not UpGrade the Drive nor the RAM after purchase.


Both are Soldered to the Logicboard


Why is the above suggested.


Rotational / Mechanical Drives are slow and will always be slower than SSD Drives 


Mechanical Drives have a Platter spinning with the Read and Write Heads passing over the spinning drive to Read and Write to / from the Drive.


SSD Drives have no moving parts.


Then the Software presently installed on the computer 


DrCleanerProPlus, Avira, and Malwarebytes


None of the above are needed or required 


There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.


The only Entity that can open and modify or alter this Volume is Apple.


That would occur when an update or UpGrade is performed.


The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.


AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.


Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 


1 - Disk Cleaner 


Dr Cleaner Pro Plus


2- Third Party Security Software 


 Avira 


The The Built in Security  is all that is required.


Mac app security enhancements


Security. Built right in


You could spend days or weeks attempting to remove all the bit and pieces of these softwares and never get every bit off the drive 


  


Oct 28, 2023 7:19 AM in response to MiqsPix

Follow on


Explore the Apple Trade-In  Process where the Value of the exiting device could be used against the cost of a new Apple Computer


Notation - Some devices and depending on the computers age may have little to no value at Trade In time.


But at least the device will not arrive to the Land Fill Site and be recycled in a responsible way by Apple


Or Shop Refurbished Apple computers at an Apple Reduced Cost


Have used both previously and have been satisfied each time.

Oct 28, 2023 7:35 AM in response to P. Phillips

Thank you for the advice. In anticipation of your answer I had already uninstalled Malwerbytes and Dr Cleaner. The result is a minimal speed improvement and I take note of your refurbishment point. Unfortunately I cannot change my iMac yet and well aware of the change of Apple philosophy regarding the change to the new M processing chip which improves performance considerably. I must accept the limitations of my present iMac and enjoy it.

Thank you again.

Why is Sonoma so slow to start up?

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