Startup on my G4 Cube 450mhz running 10.4.11 has become abnormally slow. Once running, I don't find that applications are having any running issues. What hard drive maintenance/procedures are recommended to possibly remedy this issue?
PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G4 Cube 450 mhz and G4 Cube 500 mhz
Begin with:
Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X) - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1884
Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 - Computer shuts down during Safe Boot - http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24054
Safe boot mode runs a directory check command similar to that used by Disk Utility's repair. In OSX 10.4 and later it ignores some stored information (cache) that is normally read that speeds up the boot process, and it moves some caches to the trash. It also uses only System fonts and disables all Startup Items, third party items, and any Login Items. Networking and some video components may also be disabled.
Also worth installing on an older computer is Applejack:
http://applejack.sourceforge.net/
Read the instructions on how to use it because it's a bit unusual (needs to be done in single user mode).
Significantly slower booting when the app load and start-up items have not changed can portend a hard drive failure, Time to pull a solid backup while the drive still works,
Slow startup on G4 Cube
