TS1394: Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation and software updates (Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier)

Learn about Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation and software updates (Mac OS X v10.6 and earlier)
jillbanister

Q: after installing snow leopard wheel spins constantly

after I installed snow leopard, each time I start to use the computer after a few minutes of not doing so, the wheel goes around endlessly. I have to turn off the computer manaually and turn it back on again

iMac

Posted on Mar 31, 2013 7:28 AM

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Q: after installing snow leopard wheel spins constantly

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  • by ds store,

    ds store ds store Mar 31, 2013 8:16 AM in response to jillbanister
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Mar 31, 2013 8:16 AM in response to jillbanister

    Backup your user file folders (music, pictures, movies etc) off the machine to a external storage drive (not TimeMachine), make sure to export bookmarks, get email addresses and product keys etc so you can rebuild, disconnect the drive so you don't make mistakes.

     

    Follow this and make sure to select the ENTIRE hard drive (drive makers name and size) and use Erase > Security option Zero all data in Disk Utility.

     

    How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

     

    If the Zero erase hangs even after doing it twice, the hard drive is worthless and needs to be replaced by Apple (only)

     

     

    This is optional, but read it also to have a fastest mac on Snow Leopard (the iMac can't replace the drive, but you can put in more memory)

     

    For Snow Leopard Speed Freaks

  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Mar 31, 2013 10:16 AM in response to jillbanister
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 31, 2013 10:16 AM in response to jillbanister

    First thing to find out is how much RAM do you have installed?

     

    With the beachballing happening, post a screenshot of the bottom of the System Memory tab of Activity Monitor in Utilities.

     

    Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 8.19.17 AM.png

     

    Also, switch to the CPU tab and see if any one process or program is taking up an inordinate amount of CPU. Check also for Real Memory.