t-dot12

Q: Slow Mac, Spinning Wheel

Mac recently started going slow and getting the spinning wheel after almost every other click. How can I fix this?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Feb 10, 2014 12:27 PM

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Q: Slow Mac, Spinning Wheel

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  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 11, 2014 9:18 PM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:18 PM in response to hands4

    It still restarted a lilttle slow and running faster than before the repair but not as fast as it was before the problems started.

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 11, 2014 9:31 PM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:31 PM in response to t-dot12

    OK.  The last step is to reïnstall OS X, which is easy but takes some time.

    You boot in Recovery Mode (Boot Control-R).

    You select Install OS X and follow the instructions.

    It will take a while to download OS X over the network and then take a shorter while to install it.  The download speed will depend on the speed of your Internet connection.

    When that is done there is a good chance your Mac will be healthy.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 11, 2014 9:36 PM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:36 PM in response to hands4

    Alright I will do that. After I do, I just backup everything from the backup?

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 11, 2014 9:38 PM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:38 PM in response to t-dot12

    This OS reïnstall will not touch the data.  You should not have to reaload from the backup.  You simpley boot it after the reïnstall and whala, all is OK (maybe).

     

    I'm composing another message about the posibility of having to restore the data.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 11, 2014 9:40 PM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:40 PM in response to hands4

    alright will guve it a try and let you know how it goes

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 11, 2014 9:54 PM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 11, 2014 9:54 PM in response to t-dot12

    If the reïnstall does not do the job then there are two trajectories for a “clean install” where you start from scratch with a blank disk and reload the data from backups.

     

    First option:

    - Use Disk Utility in Recovery Mode to reformat and erase the system disk, writing zeros to every sector.

    - Install OS X.

    - Reload your data from the Time Machine backup.

    I don't like this option because it puts your data at risk.  The only copy of your data will be on the Time Machine backup and if that data restore fails, there goes your data.  If you had two secured backups I would feel better about this option.

     

    Second option:

    - Have Apple replace the disk drive, saving the old drive as a backup.

    - Install OS X.

    - Reload your data from the Time Machine backup.

    - If something were to go wrong with the Time Machine restore you would still have a copy of your data on the old hard drive from which you could restore the data.

     

    The cost of the second one is higher but I think worth it.  I’m conservative about putting data in jeopardy.  When you are done I want you to have preserved all of your data.

     

    Good night.  I’ll check my mail in the morning.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 13, 2014 8:43 AM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 8:43 AM in response to hands4

    Hi my laptop has not reinstalled yet first time I let it go overnight and it didn't complete. I came to work and tried but had to stop without 25min left, I let in reinstall overnight last night also but it didn't finish, it just stayed on 40min left all night. I am trying again one last time while at work, it currently has 38min left.

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 13, 2014 9:17 AM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:17 AM in response to t-dot12

    I appers that when you do something that uses the disk a lot it runs slowly (Time Machine backup and reïnstall).  So I recommend option two above, replacing the hard disk and a clean install keeping the old disk just in case the restore has problems.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 13, 2014 9:23 AM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:23 AM in response to hands4

    Oh ok and how long does that cost and how long does it take if you know?

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 13, 2014 9:28 AM in response to t-dot12
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:28 AM in response to t-dot12

    Much*

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 13, 2014 9:37 AM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:37 AM in response to t-dot12

    Of course I can't speak for Apple on what they will charge but I can give some related info.  They will give you a free diagnosis and estimate of repairs.

    Genius reservation http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ .

    or find an Apple Authorized Service Provider https://locate.apple.com/country

     

    Apple should have the disks in stock so it should be a quick repair.  Internal disks sell for less than $100 on the Internet.  I do not know how much Apple charges to replace them.  The labor will be minimal---about 15 minutes for the hardware repair.

     

    Ask if they will instlal the OS for free.  After what you have done so far you could easily do that yourslef but it would be faster and easier if Apple will do it for you.

     

    Have your Time Machine disk available for the first time you boot it after the OS installation.  (If they install the OS at the store do not boot it until you get home.)  During the first boot it will ask to restore your data and you can select from the Time Machine backup.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 13, 2014 9:48 AM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:48 AM in response to hands4

    Alright so when I bring it there and they put the new disk I need to tell them to save the data from the old disk?

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 13, 2014 9:49 AM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:49 AM in response to t-dot12

    Yes, tell them you want the old hard disk back.  If you have issues with the Time Machine backup it will be your second backup from which to recover data.

  • by t-dot12,

    t-dot12 t-dot12 Feb 13, 2014 9:50 AM in response to hands4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:50 AM in response to hands4

    What does this mean. OS X can not be installed on "null"?

  • by hands4,

    hands4 hands4 Feb 13, 2014 9:52 AM in response to t-dot12
    Level 4 (2,227 points)
    Feb 13, 2014 9:52 AM in response to t-dot12

    I don't know.  I don't have experience with reïstalls failing.  Mine have alwasy succeeded.

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