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Level 1

53 points

I'm becoming concerned about my iMac and Mountain Lion

Over the past couple of months it's becoming harder and harder to get programs working in a fast and efficient manner. When I click on an email in the Mail client, it can sometimes take over a minute for it to move from one email to another. Although I realize Internet provider upload and download speeds play a part, during that same time it can take 4-5 minutes--leterally---for a page to be accessed and download. And I don't even want to talk about Aperture and it's plug-ins. This morning, it took well over 5 minuters for an Aperture plug in to be accessed and fully functional; and the past couple of weeks it can take 2-6 minutes for Aperture to download a photo already in the library and bring it up for working on.

I got a new iMac about 6 months ago and it started out working great, but thse past couple of months it's been one of the slowest and frustrating machines I've ever owned. I purchased MacKeeper in hopes that it would end the problems, and it has helped some, but not nearly enough For the past 7-8 years I have been a 100% percent faithful Apple Fanboy, but these issues are starting to make me want to throw my iMac, less than 7 months old out the window. It's got 4 GB Ram, but since it worked fine for the first few months, I'm thinking it's something else.

Any suggestions?

Posted on Dec 19, 2012 5:54 PM

37 replies

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Dec 20, 2012 10:10 AM in response to Gr8fulted

You've gotten great suggestions from the others; doing some "housecleaning" may take care of the problem; if still necessary, adding RAM will also help.

Gr8fulted Author

Level 1

53 points

Dec 20, 2012 11:48 AM in response to babowa

I also agree the community has done a stellar job in delivering assistance. I know I have lots of 3rd party apps. I do a lot of graphics and photography work and the ones I'm likely to keep involve these two sectors. I've uninstalled MacKeeper and Log Me In, and tonight will add another 8 GB of RAM, which brings up another question: I live in a small community and the RAM I am adding is slightly less than the 1333MHz Apple states I should use. The computer guy says it will still work in my iMac and I shouldn't really notice any appreciable speed from the 1333MHz. The Apple guide says to ONLY use the parameters they have outlined which, of course, includes the 1333MHz. Any guidance here on that?

Also, I'm going to go through and begin eliminating many of those apps I rarely or never use.

Thanks all for your assistance. You guys are the best.

John Galt

Level 10

141,162 points

Dec 20, 2012 12:24 PM in response to Gr8fulted

Gr8fulted wrote:

... I live in a small community and the RAM I am adding is slightly less than the 1333MHz Apple states I should use. The computer guy says it will still work in my iMac and I shouldn't really notice any appreciable speed from the 1333MHz.

Ah, no.

Use only the correct RAM for your computer. Faster is not correct. Slower is not correct. Your computer guy is guaranteeing himself a return visit with such astonishingly bad advice.

Purchase RAM from a reliable vendor. OWC a/k/a MacSales and Crucial are two reliable vendors.

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Dec 20, 2012 12:19 PM in response to Gr8fulted

Gr8fulted wrote:

... I live in a small community and the RAM I am adding is slightly less than the 1333MHz Apple states I should use. The computer guy says it will still work in my iMac ...

Not true...

You can use this Link to check which RAM is suitable for your Mac...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM

For best performance, fill all memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.

That site also has videos on how to Install RAM should you need it...

Gr8fulted Author

Level 1

53 points

Dec 20, 2012 12:24 PM in response to AnaMusic

Thanks again, folks, for helping me out.

I'm going to order from the OWE link above. I did read the part about equal memory for each slot. Will it harm the computer to have 2 x 2 GB and 2x4 in the other two?

What sort of harm?

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Dec 20, 2012 12:34 PM in response to Gr8fulted

No harm as such... But... Apples recommendation is...

For best performance, fill all memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Dec 20, 2012 2:32 PM in response to Gr8fulted

I've been running my iMacs for about 2 years with 2 x 2 GB in two slots and 2 x 4 GB in the other two = total of 12 GB. Make sure yours looks like this once installed - matching the RAM horizontally (in other words, just leave the 2 x 2 you have where they are at and install the other two in the two empty slots):

I'm becoming concerned about my iMac and Mountain Lion