MacBook Pro Very Slow at startup

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MacBook Pro Very Slow at startup

For the last couple months, my MacBook Pro (running Mac OS X 10.6.5) has been incredibly slow at startup. It used to take seconds to go from shutdown to ready for use. Now it takes a few minutes. The computer also freezes up twice (with the spinning "rainbow" wheel icon) for anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple minutes the first time I open any program after startup.

The computer generally works normally after that. It wakes up from "sleep" quickly and doesn't have any hangups. It just seems to be messed up when starting up after a shutdown.

I'm fairly new to Macs and can't seem to find any kind of system diagnostic or hard drive scan utility on my system to run to check my system, which would be the first things I'd have done with a similar issue with a PC.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro 15 inch, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 27, 2010 10:16 AM

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Answer 1

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rkaufmann87

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Nov 27, 2010 1:32 PM in response to Prentiss94

First thing to look for is your Login Items. You can find them in System Preferences, Accounts, Login Items. If you have a lot of stuff opening on startup that will slow down the startup. To remove items, highlight them and then click the - sign at the bottom of the box.

Roger

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Answer 2

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 27, 2010 3:20 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Roger -

Thanks for the suggestion. There's nothing unusual in the Login Items list, which is part of my frustration. Nothing had changed with my computer when it started running slower at startup.

Mike

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

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Nov 27, 2010 3:22 PM in response to Prentiss94

What exactly is in the Login Items?

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Answer 4

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 27, 2010 3:23 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Only the iTunes Helper, which I think has been there all along. not sure if that's necessary or not.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

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Nov 27, 2010 3:27 PM in response to Prentiss94

Are you in the habit of shutting it down after you are done for the day or do you follow Apple's recommendations in the owner's manual? They say to leave it running 24/7 and letting it sleep when not being used. It continues by saying to turn it off if you plan on being away for several days.

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Answer 6

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 27, 2010 4:34 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I usually just put it in Sleep mode at night and only shut it down once a week or when I travel for work, which is 2-3 times per month.

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

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Nov 27, 2010 6:55 PM in response to Prentiss94

OK, you've got it right. It possible it's a HD failing, check the S.M.A.R.T. status in Disk Utility. It should say Verified, anything else and you're in trouble. If it's Verified then run Apple Hardware Test. The instructions are:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

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Answer 8

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 28, 2010 7:22 AM in response to rkaufmann87

It looks like I'm in trouble. I got an "Invalid Sibling Link" error when I ran Verify Disk and Disk Repair could not fix it, telling me to back up as many files as possible, reformat the disk and restore the backup files.

I also got an Alert Code from the Apple Hardware Test - 4HDD/11/40000004:SATA(0,0).

Debating whether to try the backup and reformat myself or try to get in at the Genius Bar today and see how bad it is.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

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Nov 28, 2010 7:30 AM in response to Prentiss94

That indicates the HD is failing. Backup immediately while it's still working and take it in for repair. It's in your best interest to make an appointment at the Genius Bar, if you have never done this the link is noted below will get you started. Make sure you let them know what you have done and what error messages you have received.

http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/

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Answer 10

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 28, 2010 7:36 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks Roger - I'm formatting my external hard disk to backup via Time machine for the first time and have a Genius Bar appointment this afternoon. I appreciate the help and advice.

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Answer 11

rkaufmann87

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Nov 28, 2010 7:41 AM in response to Prentiss94

Glad you are doing a backup, not to be a "I told you so" however you should be backing up daily. I'd recommend reading this Macworld article about backups. At some point you will need it, if your TM fails for whatever reason you could be in for a painful lesson.

The no-worry Backup Plan

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Answer 12

Prentiss94 Author

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Nov 29, 2010 7:35 AM in response to Prentiss94

Thanks again for the help! Hard drive has been replaced and a new backup plan in place.

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Answer 13

rkaufmann87

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Nov 29, 2010 7:40 AM in response to Prentiss94

Your welcome.

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