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User profile for user: Ajnevs
Ajnevs Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

mac 10.5.8 is running slow and programs are disappearing

Hi guys,


I actually have more than one problem with my Mac:


For one it is running slow especially when using Firefox and Office at the same time often resulting in me having to force quit the programs because they are not responding.


Lately applications are disappearing. First Stickies which is really! bad, because, stupid as I am, I put important info on them and did not make a backup. I tried to restore them via Time Machine but find nothing under ~Library/.StickiesDatabase, ...Application Support... or ...Preferences/com.apple.Stickies.plist

Then Preview disappeared which, luckily i could restore via Time Machine.

And now iCal looks different in dock (the white square surrounding the actual date disappeared) so I am guessing this soon will be gone as well.


Another info that probably is important: my battery is swollen so generally I use the Mac without the battery


Do you think this is a virus? Or maybe 10.5.8. is just too old a version? Do you think an upgrade to at least 10.6. would help or rather worsen things? And is it worth it to invest in an upgrade, a new battery, a complete check-up or should I just wait until the poor thing dies and get a new one (which would be really painful)?


As you can see I am a clueless user, and I am sorry for any stupid questions in advance and thankful for any support!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 25, 2013 5:24 AM

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,486 points

Posted on Dec 25, 2013 6:38 AM

First you need to back up your files, your hard drive may be failing.

Start up using your original install disc and run Disk Utility to check the SMART Status of the hard drive, it's reported in the lower section of the DU window when you select your hard drive. Anything other than "Verified" indicates a serious problem. Repair the hard drive and if DU reports that it fixed anything repair it again until it reports that nothing was fixed. Hopefully your computer will be back up to speed after that.

Second, 10.5.8 is no longer supported and if your computer will meet the requirements upgrading to 10.6.8 would be wise. Get it here for $20 http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Third, replace your battery http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA561LL/A/rechargeable-battery-13-inch-macbook -white?fnode=5a

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a cheap knockoff, you get what you pay for. Learn how to calibrate your battery for long life http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

Finally.....it is not a virus.

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,486 points

Dec 25, 2013 6:38 AM in response to Ajnevs

First you need to back up your files, your hard drive may be failing.

Start up using your original install disc and run Disk Utility to check the SMART Status of the hard drive, it's reported in the lower section of the DU window when you select your hard drive. Anything other than "Verified" indicates a serious problem. Repair the hard drive and if DU reports that it fixed anything repair it again until it reports that nothing was fixed. Hopefully your computer will be back up to speed after that.

Second, 10.5.8 is no longer supported and if your computer will meet the requirements upgrading to 10.6.8 would be wise. Get it here for $20 http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Third, replace your battery http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA561LL/A/rechargeable-battery-13-inch-macbook -white?fnode=5a

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a cheap knockoff, you get what you pay for. Learn how to calibrate your battery for long life http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

Finally.....it is not a virus.

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User profile for user: Ajnevs
Ajnevs Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Dec 25, 2013 9:15 AM in response to SeaPapp

thank you for the reply. i checked the smart status which said disk is veryfied. i ran the repair anyways. this is the protoco (i dont really know what to make of it)l:


Warning: SUID file "System/Library/Filesystems/AppleShare/afpLoad" has been modified and will not be repaired.

Permissions differ on "private/var/log/secure.log", should be -rw------- , they are -rw-r----- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/DVD.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSettings.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/FRSources.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Movies.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Music.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Photos.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/Podcasts.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/PlugIns/TV.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r-- , they are lrw-r--r-- .

Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskManagement.framework/Versions/A/Resources /DiskManagementTool" has been modified and will not be repaired.

Warning: SUID file "usr/sbin/pppd" has been modified and will not be repaired.

Warning: SUID file "usr/sbin/vpnd" has been modified and will not be repaired.


Permissions repair complete



another problem is, that i don't have the original install disc anymore, since i bought the mac in the us and when moving back to germany lost it.


and how do i know wheter or not my computer meets the requirements for an update to 10.6.8?


thanks for the input about the battery. i will definitely not buy the knockoff, have to hold out on a new battery though until i have the money for it. this wont impair the mac any further right?


thanks again for the help

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,486 points

Dec 25, 2013 10:25 AM in response to Ajnevs

You cannot repair the hard drive on the running system, you have to start from a different volume ( an install disc or another hard drive) so other than permissions nothing was repaired. You NEED install discs. You can also call AppleCare and they'll send you a set of original discs, for a fee, which will have all of the original applications plus the Apple Hardware Test if you should ever need them. If I were you I'd opt for Snow leopard, it's better and still supported.

The minimum specs for Snow Leopard 10.6 are listed in the link I provided also

Mac computer with an Intel processor

5 GB free hard drive space

1 GB RAM (more is better, 1gb is the MINIMUM)

DVD drive for installation


You won't hurt your MacBook running without a battery but as frederic1943 stated that's one reason for the slowdown.

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User profile for user: Ajnevs
Ajnevs Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Dec 29, 2013 12:13 PM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks again for the help mike!


I am about to install the new system but I've got some more questions before I do so:


I have a licensed version of Office on my computer, which I will definitely need in the future. If I understood correctly from other threads office will still be there once I've upgraded the system is that correct? If not do you maybe know what to do to use it on 10.6.8?


And what do you think about partitioning and keeping the old system as well as the new system? Or would that defeat the purpose of the whole update?


And do you have any idea how I could possibly retrieve the lost info in my stickie notes?


Sorry again for all the questions, I guess I'm a little nervous 😊

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,486 points

Dec 29, 2013 1:36 PM in response to Ajnevs

10.6.x Snow Leopard by default does an archive and install which means it will only replace your system with the new one. All of your data and applications will remain.

Hopefully you've heeded my first advice and you now have a current backup. 99.9% of the time nothing goes wrong during an installation but if you're unlucky enough to fall into that .1% you could lose everything. I've never had a problem but I've also always had a backup before I started doing anything with my system.

I have no idea why your sticky notes have disappeared, sorry.

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mac 10.5.8 is running slow and programs are disappearing

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