Just noticed this progress bar operating when I used Spotlight. I did just install Lion, but that was successful. Can anyone tell my why the MacBook is "Indexing" at all?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
To speed up a Spotlight search, it creates an index of everything on all connected drives, because that's faster than actually searching every file every time.
Because you just installed the OS, everything is new. That means the index is 100% not current, so the whole thing must be built. It only takes a lot of time to build the original index; after it's done the updates will only take a few seconds. I also find tha tthe time estimates can be way off. You might look at it again in an hour and by then might only say "3 hours" or even less.
To speed up a Spotlight search, it creates an index of everything on all connected drives, because that's faster than actually searching every file every time.
Because you just installed the OS, everything is new. That means the index is 100% not current, so the whole thing must be built. It only takes a lot of time to build the original index; after it's done the updates will only take a few seconds. I also find tha tthe time estimates can be way off. You might look at it again in an hour and by then might only say "3 hours" or even less.
Spotlight is indexing your files so that when you use it, it will be able to retrieve the data that you are searching for. This is normal after you have installed a new OS.
Ciao.
harrysmccann wrote:
Basicaly - The mac is defragmenting.
Its bringing all of its data together.
No, that is not in the least true. First, because the message said "Indexing..." which is specifically a much different task than defragmenting. Second, because Macs do not need to defragment disks in the manner that has been traditionally done with PCs and so using the term "defragment" with Macs can be highly misleading unless you are more specific about what procedure you are talking about.
It could be from a backup from Time Machine, installation of a new HDD or input of a large quantity of new data.
Ciao.
What if you havent just installed a new OS?
Basicaly - The mac is defragmenting.
Its bringing all of its data together.
Thats why it happens when you have NOT just installed a new OS.
SSD's seem to do this more than standard drives.
What does the "Indexing your MacBook Pro - 18hrs. remaining" all about?
