Assistance with Etrecheck report

punditz wrote:

It looks like the discussion faded away. I continued trying to troubleshoot in my inexperienced way and eventually the computer was performing better. Maybe booting in recovery mode? running disc first aid? I ran etrecheckPro again and this time no major problems were found. If anyone has a comment, please post.

You have an 8 GB hard disk drive iMac configuration, and in this case with a potential drive motor spin-up issue.

You have been provided with a linked description of why the 8 GB HDD configuration is slow.

The information on why this configuration is slow also has a link to a potential workaround for the glacial performance of this configuration, short of repairing or replacing the iMac. The same workaround also likely avoids the motor spin-up issues.

Here is the previous link again: Why is my hard disk drive iMac so slow? - Apple Community

Here is the potential workaround from that link: Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community

If you have questions about the linked information, please do ask.

That base model 2017 21.5" iMac came with a really slow 5400rpm HDD from the factory.

EtreCheckPro is reporting the drive as "appears to be failing" because the Write & Read speeds are dismal.

As suggested, a DriveDX report should offer up more info on why the Write & Read speeds are so low.

Please post your EtreCheck Pro report, as per > How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

If you do not already have one, I’d start with a current and complete backup.

This backup being your priority — before any other steps — including posting a report here.

+1 on testing the HD with DriveDX. If ANY errors appear that confirms the EtreCheck report that shows the HD is failing.

punditz wrote:

I don't need a backup because everything I need from the problem computer is on my new computer. Thanks.

Okay, so you already have a backup. Good.

Next steps are to post the Etrecheck report here, and to post the DriveDx report here.

That hard disk looks like it's headed for drive motor problems.

But again, the 8 GB / HDD will always be slow, too.

Google is busy doing who-knows-what, but that's expected from Google.

The 8 GB hard disk drive configurations will always be slow:

• Why is my hard disk drive iMac so slow? - Apple Community

One of the common symptoms of a failing hard disk is (added) slowness. What does the DriveDx report show?