Leaking memory on imac

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Leaking memory on imac

Hi, i'm new on this forum and a new mac user. I recently buy me a 2.7 with 8 gig memory and is very disappointed in my mac. From the beginning i'm just run out of memory. Something is eating up my memory and sometimes theirs only 29mb left. Please help me with this problem. When closing almost every program, i am still left with fewer than 1 gig. It can't be. I already contact the workshop and the suggest that i must done an update and i done this also, but the problem is still accured. I must sort this problem as quickly as can , otherwise i have to sell the mac

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 8 gig memory

Posted on May 7, 2012 1:49 AM

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Answer 1

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 7, 2012 5:09 AM in response to Platkloof

See this article on how to use Activity Monitor

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1342

What are you doing when you are having this problem? How much storage is left on your hard disk drive?

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Answer 2

Platkloof Author

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May 7, 2012 6:28 AM in response to SeaPapp

Hi Mike. Thanks for your quick reply. Wen this problem occurred I normally go to launchpad>Utilities>Disc utilities> repair disk permission. Then my memory is back for half an hour and then the same routine again. It can't be that the applications in the screenshot is using so many memory. Sorry, to load a screenshot is also a problem. But the only applications that is open is google,finder, mail and active windows and i'm left with a 1,31gbg of 8gig. When opening imovie it drop till 29mb.

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Answer 3

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 7, 2012 6:35 AM in response to Platkloof

Run Activity Monitor and see what's going on.

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Answer 4

Platkloof Author

Level 1

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May 7, 2012 6:38 AM in response to Platkloof

Sorry. I saw the inactive memory that the link is pointing about, but why does the mac still struggle to open a program or to open a video file and after a while open it. So it is not that the file is corrupted.

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Answer 5

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 7, 2012 6:48 AM in response to Platkloof

So you're having trouble opening files and or programs? All programs and files or just certian ones? How much free space is on your hard disk drive? Have you restarted your computer to aee if it gets better? Have you tried starting in Safe Mode?

To start up into Safe Mode (to Safe Boot), do this:

Be sure your Mac is shut down.

Press the power button.

Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.

Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

Starting in safe mode will empty some cache files that may be slowing you down.

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Answer 6

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

May 7, 2012 6:49 AM in response to Platkloof

Two things:

1. Click once on the harddrive icon on the desktop then go to File / Get Info and look at how much Capacity, Available, and Used disk space you see.

2. Do a PRAM Reset. Turn the computer off then hold down Option + Command + R + P and the power button until you hear the startup chime twice. Then let the machine start up normally.

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Answer 7

Platkloof Author

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May 7, 2012 6:53 AM in response to Platkloof

Hi mike sorry if my spelling is not up to date but i'm not good with English. Like i said, it is only google,finder,mail and activity windows that is running and now i got 1,65 on this moment. I want to show you a screenshot but i don't no how to put the screenshot in. look like it is a long prose's. Thanks anyway for your replies I appreciate it.

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Answer 8

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 7, 2012 7:45 AM in response to Platkloof

To take a screen shot press command(apple) shift 3 and the entire screen will save to your desktop. To just save a selection of the screen press command-shift-4 and select what part of the screen you want to save by clicking and dragging your mouse (which now display as cross hairs) over the selection and it will save to your desktop.

To attach a screen shot to a post click the camera icon in the editing window, click choose file and select your screen shot, then click insert image.

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Answer 9

Platkloof Author

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May 7, 2012 8:25 AM in response to SeaPapp

Hi Mike.

Thanks for all your help. I did the pram reset and will look and see what it do now. Really appreciate your help

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Answer 10

Platkloof Author

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May 9, 2012 9:33 AM in response to Platkloof

Hi, still got the same problem and struggling almost for 3 weeks now to make a wedding dvd in imovie but the mac keep on hanging and suffer to make a movie. I must say i'm much disappointed. I bought this mac for video editing and now I have to figure out what is fault with this mac. I no that there's many stuff that can be wrong, but what normal user got the knowledge to figure out all this stuff. I don't think it is a good advertisement for mac. Luckily i'm on vacation now and had to offer my vacation to try to figure out what is wrong. From day one the mac is suffering.

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Answer 11

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 9, 2012 1:35 PM in response to Platkloof

Your page ins/outs look large to me, also your swap size. Something is using a ton of memory but I don't know what it is. Do one thing though...start Activity Monitor and click on Disk Usage. How much free space do you have? This is important.

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Answer 12

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 9, 2012 1:39 PM in response to Platkloof

And here's another good article on using Activity Monitor

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/01/15/how-to-use-activity-monitor-to-make-your- mac-faster/

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Answer 13

Platkloof Author

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May 10, 2012 2:02 AM in response to Platkloof

Hi Mike. Thanks for all your inputs. I got more than 315 gig left of 1tb. I did red the article, but the question is, do we have to monitor the mac the hole time. This is a new mac and I'm just use the normal programs and he can't handle it. Why it have to be so complicated for new users. When you contact the seller, they just tell you to tri this and that. Why i have to do every half hour something just to free memory so that the mac can run smooth? Hope someone can answer me or help me, because luckily I'm on vacation and struggle with this mac for 14 days now.

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Answer 14

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

May 10, 2012 3:48 AM in response to Platkloof

Being that it's a brand new Mac, you should contact Apple again. If there is an Apple Store or AASP near you I think you should take it in and let them have a look at it.

As for your other concern, no you shouldn't have to monitor it the whole time you're using it. Macs are very user friendly. I do recommend that you purchase AppleCare though, it extends your warranty and phone support to 3 years, well worth the expense.

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Answer 15

Platkloof Author

Level 1

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May 10, 2012 4:16 AM in response to SeaPapp

Hi Mike. I am about 300 km from the nearest store, but have to take it in. I will get AppleCare, just need to find out if I must get the mac at the nearest store on my own cost, otherwise it going to cost me to much. Thanks for al. I really appreciate it. Have a nice day.

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