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Computer running super slow

I have a black 13" MacBook that recently started running super slow. It loads slow. The mouse moves normally, but when I click on anything it can take two minutes before anything happens. It runs slow when I boot it in safe mode. I tried running some utilities from the os disks and they didn't find any problems. I don't know what is wrong with it, or how to help it. Thanks for your help.

Black 13" MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 10, 2010 2:08 PM

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8 replies

Oct 11, 2010 5:33 PM in response to Scotty T

A new user account does nothing to help. It is still super slow

Gotcha.
So you have a systemwide issue then (not just a single account).
Did this start happening after you installed some new software or maybe an Apple Software update?
Did you add any new hardware to the computer like RAM or an hard drive?
Are you running any Anti-Virus or Firewall software on the computer (doesn't come with the Mac so it would have had to been installed by you after the fact)?

_Turn off your Airport by going to the airport menu and choosing Turn Airport off.
_Unplug all external devices besides the power cable.
_Restart the computer. -- Any change?

If not:
_SafeBoot the system and while in SafeBoot remove the Macintosh HD > Library > Caches folder to the trash.
_Remove any items in Macintosh HD > Library > StartUp Items
_Reset the PRAM: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
_Any change?

If the issue persists at this point I would backup your data and reinstall the Mac OS (with 10.6 this does not erase the computer, it just puts the OS back on the computer):
_Insert your Mac OS X 10.6 installation disc
_Shut down your Mac.
_Start up your Mac while holding the C key to start from the disc and follow the onscreen prompts to reinstall.

Oct 11, 2010 6:14 PM in response to Scotty T

How many items do you have sitting on your Desktop? Too many items can be a resource hog for the computer. I mention this because some people save everything but the kitchen sink to their desktop.

How much RAM do you have?

Have you opened Activity Monitor and checked out what processes are going on under the hood? I just looked and Safari was using 850 MB of Real Memory. So I closed the program and re-started it and now it is only at 145 MB of Real Memory. Anywho, look at Activity Monitor and see if things look like you think they should. You may find some processes going on that you never knew you were running. Make sure you check out the CPU, System Memory, Disk Activity, and Disk Usage tabs toward the bottom.

Good luck.

Arch

Oct 12, 2010 10:06 AM in response to MadisonP

The only thing that is running on the computer in the finder. I made sure that the airport and all other login items have been shut off. No new updates or changes have been made to the computer either.

I'm in the process of cleaning out those folders in Safe mode, and resetting the PRAM. To give you an idea of how slow the computer is, It has taken it over fifteen minutes to boot and open the finder window.

I hope that reinstalling the OS will work. Are you certain that it won't erase the hard drive?

Oct 12, 2010 10:54 AM in response to Scotty T

I hope that reinstalling the OS will work. Are you certain that it won't erase the hard drive?

I hope it works too 🙂

Under normal circumstances reinstalling Mac OS X 10.6 from the install disk does not erase the hard drive unless you first open up Disk Utility from the install disk and choose the erase option.

HOWEVER, as I suggested above, backup your data first. It is always a good idea to backup all your important data before you do any kind of install, be it a tiny software update, a new program, or a complete reinstall of the OS (like this). Reinstalling the OS is a large scale change for the computer so making sure you have your data backed up first is even more important: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553

If you want one more test you can do before reinstalling the OS you could run Apple Hardware Test and run the extended test. This will test your RAM (among other things) to make sure it is not the issue: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

Computer running super slow

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