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User profile for user: JonathanG79
JonathanG79 Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

2010 iMac and OSX 10.8.3

I have a late 2010 27" iMac running OSX10.8.3. A week ago I noticed that the Time Capsule function wasnt working and looked on line. I followed the guidance in a few of the forums here and thought that would fix things. Sadly it hasnt. Today Ive noticed that programmes like itunes, word and excel keep crashing out as does finder. (If its not one its the other) The only way to fix it seems to be with a forced restart (ie turning off and on with the power button) Its then fine for a while and then crashes again. Ive downloaded and reinstalled the 10.8.3 update and still no joy and Im at a loss what to do next apart from rebuild the machine from scratch (which is annoying). Does anybody have any ideas as to what might be causing this and how I might be able to fix it?


I should add that the most successful thing I did on the machine a week ago was use it as a remote disc for my Macbook Pro. It crashed out on the macbook and wouldnt let me eject the disc on the iMac until a restart on both


Thanks in advance for the help

Posted on Apr 7, 2013 12:13 PM

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User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,039 points

Posted on Apr 7, 2013 12:43 PM

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.


Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.


Isolating an issue by using another user account


If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode. Shut down the computer and then power it back up. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode


Safe Mode - About


General information.


Isolating issues in Mac OS X


Troubleshooting Permission Issues



Step by Step to Fix Your Mac

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User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,039 points

Apr 7, 2013 12:43 PM in response to JonathanG79

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.


Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.


Isolating an issue by using another user account


If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode. Shut down the computer and then power it back up. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode


Safe Mode - About


General information.


Isolating issues in Mac OS X


Troubleshooting Permission Issues



Step by Step to Fix Your Mac

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User profile for user: JonathanG79
JonathanG79 Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Apr 7, 2013 1:22 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric


I tried that and couldnt find anything. Opened the machine in safe mode and the graphics went funny so then restarted and it now appears to be fine although it is saying its 'looking for backup disk' in TC which was how this all started. Very frustrating re TC although it seems that others are having similar issues


Thanks for your help


🙂

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User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,039 points

Apr 8, 2013 9:51 AM in response to JonathanG79

Glad the other stuff appears to be working. On to Time Capsule.


1. Try going to System Preferences/Time Machine and remove the Time Capsule as the backup drive. Then add it back and select Backup Now.


User uploaded file


2. If that doesn't work, double click on the Sparse Disk Image Bundle and see if it mounts in Finder. If so, try selecting Backup Now again.


Apple/other troubleshooting support articles:


Time Machine Can’t Find Backup Disk


Time Machine Troubleshooting



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2010 iMac and OSX 10.8.3

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