iMac 27" running very slow after 10.6.6 update

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iMac 27" running very slow after 10.6.6 update

After updating to the newest OSX build my iMac is running extremely slow. Boot times are the same but once I'm in OSX it takes twice as long to do anything. If I click on the systems icon it takes over 10 seconds to open. I attempted to verify my hard drive permissions and it shows an estimated time of over 4 hours. I'm at a lost as to what the **** happened. I've run several hardware diagnostics and it finds no problems. I also have boot camp installed and Windows 7 runs perfectly. Has anyone experienced something like this with the 10.6.6 build?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 8, 2011 4:16 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,796 points

Jan 8, 2011 5:26 PM in response to e-nun

Please be specific, saying "I've run several hardware diagnostics and it finds no problems." doesn't tell us anything. The first thing I'd do is Repair Disk Permissions in Disk Utility, that doesn't help restart the machine in Safe Mode and then report back.

Roger

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Answer 2

e-nun Author

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Jan 8, 2011 6:14 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I ran a hardware diagnostic by holding down the "D" key at start up and I also ran the "Tech Tool Deluxe" app that was included with my Applecare kit. Both methods found no problems. Once the disk permissions repair is complete (est 4 hours) I'll boot into Safemode and see if that helps.

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Answer 3

e-nun Author

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Jan 8, 2011 6:45 PM in response to e-nun

Here's an update. I booted into safe mode and the lag I was getting when opening folders etc. was gone. I was able to quickly go to "applications\utilities" in a matter of seconds. Before it would take a few seconds just to display the icons in my applications folder and then another 10 to 15 seconds to open the utilities folder. I ran "verify disk permissions" while in safe mode and it only took a few minutes not hours. Since I didn't know what to do while in safe mode I restarted. Once back in normal mode the slowness was back. I can tell right away that there's a problem because it takes about 20 seconds before my touch pad starts responding to my input once the desktop is displayed. In safe mode and before I upgraded to 10.6.6 the touch pad would respond immediately after the iMac booted to the desktop.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,796 points

Jan 8, 2011 7:42 PM in response to e-nun

I suspect there is a problem with your user account. Create a new user account, something you use to test with. Call it Test Account or something like that and leave it absolutely pristine, don't change any settings, add any software...nothing. Then log into that account and see how your system acts. If the performance is OK that points to a software problem in your user account which you will need to track down. If the problem is still present in that Test Account then you have a system wide issue.

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Answer 5

Jan 9, 2011 6:42 AM in response to e-nun

Hi e-nun

I feel your pain am having exactly the same problems. I have been doing a few processes to try and see what will work. Here is what i have done to start..
1. Boot the computer using the discs that came with the imac then load disk utility from that. Repair Disk Permissions.
2. Clear the PRAM and the NVRAM
3. Go to Spotlight preferences click on the Privacy Tab and drag your imac's HDD to that list. Wait for around 10-15secs then use the little minus button to remove it. Once you close the window Spotlight will start to re-index the HDD. You will notice the little dot inside the magnifying icon for spotlight.

As im writing this my Imac is currently re-indexing and fingers crossed its running better than after the update. Whilst its been reindexing i haven't had any slow down issues. Ill keep you posted...

Did you find anything else out??

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Answer 6

Jan 9, 2011 8:37 AM in response to e-nun

**UPDATE**

So that worked for a little while until i restarted the iMac. I have since restarted the iMac and installed Onyx have performed the recommended tests and so forth (not changing any options). This helped with the very very slow performance and shutdown performance. Once all this was done i did try the option that the other user made by logging in on another account. To be honest i didnt see anything different.

Ill use the iMac for tonight after just using the Onyx program. Spotlight is still not working as it should. (showing files that i know are on the machine. Even apps that are installed its not showing)

Im also having issues with the app doc not responding at all. This is getting a little annoying

Message was edited by: MadMax889

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Answer 7

e-nun Author

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Jan 9, 2011 9:54 AM in response to MadMax889

I'm giving up. Once I back up my Parallels image files I'm going to reinstall OSX. As it is now my iMac is pretty much unusable. I've never witnessed that spinning beach ball as much as I do now. It's insane! Apple really screwed the pooch with this update.

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Answer 8

Jan 9, 2011 11:03 AM in response to e-nun

Mate I would hold off for now. I'm sure apple know of a problem plus, I have just removed the app store from the dock and seems to be fine try that first. Unfortunately I'm out at the minute so usin iPhone to reply..

Mine seems ok once I did the steps with the free program Onyx.

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Answer 9

buenor

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21 points

Jan 9, 2011 5:50 PM in response to e-nun

I noticed the same thing on mine. At first, I thought that it was an NTFS-3g driver acting up but no dice, it was the update. It is still slow even after removing all traces of the driver and trying to keep a CPU load of <2%.

I wouldn't update for nothing at this point after spending all weekend trying to fix my new iMac. Even the people at the support center all could suggest was zapping the PRAM, they need to get a better manual.

Solutions attempted: reset PRAM, NVRAM, repair permissions, undo update (time machine) and update again, undo again then combo update, undo again (this was getting old) and reinstall system files and system update again. Of course, all the while doing resets, repairing permissions, etc.

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Answer 10

e-nun Author

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Jan 10, 2011 4:38 AM in response to buenor

I was going to wipe my iMac and reinstall OSX because of this problem but I'm hesitant. Hopefully someone can find a solution for this. buenor keep updating this thread if you somehow find a way to remedy this frustrating problem.

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Answer 11

Jan 10, 2011 10:11 AM in response to buenor

Hi buenor

thats pretty much what i did although mine is running a little better with what i did (previous posts) its still having issues. than spinning beach ball is getting very annoying.

Still no Apple Updates yet? Surely someone out there has an idea?

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Answer 12

Jan 10, 2011 1:37 PM in response to e-nun

Well my iMac has started doing exactly the same things again... Nothing worked...

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Answer 13

e-nun Author

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Jan 10, 2011 2:02 PM in response to MadMax889

Sorry to hear that MadMax889. I am reduced to using my iMac through bootcamp. This problem is definitely software related since the iMac is working perfectly with Windows 7. Have you tried to call Apple support to see if they have any idea whats going on? I haven't gotten around to doing that myself yet.

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Answer 14

Jan 10, 2011 2:09 PM in response to e-nun

Just out of curiosity has anyone noticed how hot their iMac's are at the top and left hand side?

Mine is extremely hot has never ever been this hot especially down the left side of the machine. Even when running more than 4 programs whilst watching an mkv file usinf VLC player.

now its hot just running google chrome...

Message was edited by: MadMax889

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Answer 15

e-nun Author

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Jan 10, 2011 2:14 PM in response to MadMax889

I believe that's where the power supply sits.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-27-Inch-Teardown/1236/1

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