super slow start up with iMac late 2015 os monterey 12.7.6

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Level 1

8 points

super slow start up with iMac late 2015 os monterey 12.7.6

even with the 2 external hard drives off, the iMac (2015) takes EXTREMELY long to start up, the screen is blank for long, then the dock loads, and after a very long while the desktop and internal drive load. it started to happen after i updated os 12.7.3 (i think). it's annoying. i use the computer mostly for internet, youTube and mail tasks. internet connection is via ethernet. (my work computer is a mac studio). my macBook pro (late 2015) with os 12.7.6 starts up fine, no issues there. is it possible to download an older version of monterey (12.7.3) which probably would fix the slow iMac startup issue? after the iMac is up there are no issues with operating normal. i usually do not shut down my computers, just once in a while to 'clear up' ...

iMac 27″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Feb 8, 2025 9:11 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

159,652 points

Feb 8, 2025 1:38 PM in response to janocreat

Please restart that Mac in "Safe Mode": Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

It's normal for Safe Mode to take a long time to boot. Let it finish, log in, use it for a little while, and then restart normally. Same problem?

Downgrades are impracticable if not impossible any more, besides, it probably wouldn't fix a thing.

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Answer 2

janocreat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2025 7:25 AM in response to John Galt

i guess i did not mention norton earlier since it's such an integrated part of my setup since i started with my first mac 2ci about 35 years ago. it's running on my 3 computers and did not seam to be a recognizable problem, but maybe on the computers with the older, non upgradable operating system, it starts to become an issue. i am using norton's VPN address change, so i can watch german (news, talkshow, sport) tv programs which i can not watch here in the usa (that works actually like a charm!). i did read a while ago that norton and/or other 3rd party utility applications are an issue for apple computers and not really needed. the only 3rd party utility app i am still using is norton. i will look into more info on that, and maybe i will discontinue norton and look for another VPN address change app. thanks for your input. it's much appreciated.

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

110,839 points

Feb 9, 2025 1:03 AM in response to janocreat

@ janocreat wrote " norton is starting up, and " norton inactive to see how it does. "

Might we be talking about Norton Security Software ?

This will included Norton Antivirus

If so, there are to very different avenues to potential resolve this issue of Norton Anti Virus Software

One, contact the Developer and see if they have an Uninstaller for there software

Two, not the preferred method by some

Once you’ve installed and integrated this software into your computer, Norton AV Software , you’ll need to start from scratch.

It can be a bit of a hassle, as you’ll need to spend hours or even days searching for all the necessary files and programs. However, it’s effective in removing the AV software.

For Apple Silicon computers, use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon. For Apple Intel computers, use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac and then follow the instructions in How to reinstall macOS.

Before proceeding, make sure to create a Time Machine backup. If you decide to go this route, I suggest not using Startup Assist to migrate everything back. This might inadvertently introduce (Norton AV Software) back into the operating system.

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Answer 4

steve626

Level 6

17,013 points

Feb 9, 2025 10:19 AM in response to Owl-53

Yes, I agree, I would start with removing (completely) Norton.

My employer requires an anti-virus and security suite due to requirements for working on government contracts and accessing government networks. So be it, my work computer (MacBook Pro, similar to my personal MacBook Pro) is slower with many ordinary things, I chalk that up to wasted cpu cycles and disk activity with this useless security activity on the work computer.

But the employer switched away from Norton more than 10 years ago due to a large number of conflicts and problems introduced, interference with the MacOS. Employer has switched a few times and now is utilizing Sentinel tools, which seem much less interfering than the others used before. But Norton was an endless source of problems, not just for Macs, but for our PCs as well. Long gone.

A user of a personally owned computer does not have such contractual requirements and absolutely should steer clear of Norton or other similar tools. As PRP and others here have been saying for a long time!

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

159,652 points

Feb 9, 2025 4:57 AM in response to janocreat

That's the first time you mentioned "Norton". Uninstall it. Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk.

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Answer 6

janocreat Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 8, 2025 8:09 PM in response to John Galt

thank you john galt ! did start in safe mode and run it a while. after restart the computer seems to be starting up a little faster ... still slow, but adobe creative cloud is syncing, it likes me to update some apps, but i will not since they are not compatible with os 12.7.6 - norton is starting up, and 3 external hard drives are connecting (all that probably slows the thing down somewhat). it's not really a problem since i leave the computer up and running most of the time, only shutting it down here and there. while all is up it works fine for most tasks. the heavy work i do on my mac studio. i will test the startup with all drives disconnected, and adobe creative cloud and norton inactive to see how it does. but before updating from 12.7.3 (or maybe 12.7.2) with the identical overall setup and external devices etc it used to be starting up faster. however, i am pleased with that 10 year old iMac still doing amazing all around.

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Answer 7

Owl-53

Level 10

110,839 points

Feb 9, 2025 5:06 AM in response to John Galt

The " after the fact " disclosures are always troublesome 😔 but now in the open

We have a good idea where OPs issue maybe ?

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super slow start up with iMac late 2015 os monterey 12.7.6

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