iMac is very slow and sluggish, keeps churning when editing files or on internet

Question

My iMac is running slow and sluggish, it takes several minutes to edit a word document or search the internet ... intermittently it runs great but productivity is near zero when to edit a sentence in a Word document takes several minutes.  When typing an email the cursor stops and if you keep typing it eventually fills in what was typed even though you can&#x27;t see it when typing. Ran Etrecheck ... report is attached.Problem description:iMac mid 2010 is running very slow … takes too long to edit documents and open internet sites … increased RAM a month ago from 4 to 12 GBEtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)Report generated March 6, 2015 at 8:25:35 AM CSTDownload EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheckClick the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.Hardware Information: ℹ️    iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac11,3    1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2-core    12 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM1            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    ATI Radeon HD 5670 - VRAM: 512 MB        iMac 2560 x 1440System Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 3 days 23:34:34Disk Information: ℹ️    ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (636.35 GB free) - 523 errors        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H  USB Information: ℹ️    HP Officejet Pro 8500 A910     Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub         Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver     Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet Professional P1606dn     Neat NeatConnect Scanner     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Apple Internal Memory Card Reader Gatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /System/Library/Extensions    [not loaded]    com.marvell.kext.USBGenericPrinterClass (1.0.0) [Click for support]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.citrixonline.GoToMyPC.LaunchAgent.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.citrixonline.GoToMyPC.CommAgent.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.roamingclient.cell.mac.tm.roamingclient.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.tmobile-rocket20.zerocd.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.hp.printerAgent.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    NoneInternet Plug-ins: ℹ️    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 Check version    FlashPlayerDebugger-10.6: Version: 11.2.202.235 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]    Flash Player: Version: 11.2.202.235 Outdated! Update    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.9r620 [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    Carbonite  [Click for support]    Flash Player  [Click for support]    GoToMyPC Preferences  [Click for support]    Growl  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Auto backup: YES    Volumes being backed up:        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 363.00 GB    Destinations:        Taylor Technology Time Caps [Network]         Total size: 2.00 TB         Total number of backups: 91         Oldest backup: 2014-01-13 06:38:23 +0000         Last backup: 2015-03-06 14:07:22 +0000         Size of backup disk: Adequate            Backup size 2.00 TB &gt; (Disk used 363.00 GB X 3)Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️        81%    CarboniteDaemon         4%    WindowServer         3%    Neat         1%    HP Scanner 3         0%    Microsoft WordTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    3.05 GB    Neat    1.46 GB    CarboniteDaemon    232 MB    Microsoft Word    232 MB    Finder    219 MB    WindowServerVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    327 MB    Free RAM    4.78 GB    Active RAM    4.18 GB    Inactive RAM    1.15 GB    Wired RAM    125.62 GB    Page-ins    298 MB    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Feb 12, 2015, 10:18:58 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-02-12-101858_[redacted].panic [Click for details]

Matt Clifton · Accepted Answer

Your hard drive is having serious problems. Try repairing it from the Yosemite recovery partition. Reboot holding down cmd+R, and use Disk Utility on the recovery screen to select your HD and click Repair Disk (not Repair Disk Permissions). If you see errors that are reported fixed, reboot and see if that helps.Disk Utility may report that errors cannot be fixed, in which case you may need to replace your hard drive.Either way, make sure you have a current backup, either through Time Machine or another reliable method.Matt

soonerof69 · Answer

Matt ... thanks for the diagnostic assessment ... where do I initiate the repair?  I am not the best at diagnostic etc ... when I hold down cmd+R it beeps, I don&#x27;t think I am in the right place ... need a little step by step guidance.Thanks.

Matt Clifton · Answer

It might be easier to do with a full shutdown. Shut down the computer using the Apple menu - Shut Down. Once it&#x27;s fully off, press the power button to turn it on and immediately press and hold the COMMAND and R keys together. Keep them held down until you see the Apple logo, then release them. It should reboot to the recovery partition.Matt

soonerof69 · Answer

Matt ... got it done, recovery repair said Hard Drive OK.  Re-ran EtreCheck report attached ... still having the same issues.  Everything is fully backed up to Carbonite and Time Machine ... let me know if you see other conflicts or if it is the hard drive I will work to get it repaired.Thanks.EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)Report generated March 6, 2015 at 9:28:28 AM CSTDownload EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheckClick the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.Hardware Information: ℹ️    iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac11,3    1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2-core    12 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM1            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    ATI Radeon HD 5670 - VRAM: 512 MB        iMac 2560 x 1440System Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 0:2:41Disk Information: ℹ️    ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (643.46 GB free) - 21 errors        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H  USB Information: ℹ️    HP Officejet Pro 8500 A910     Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub         Apple Inc. iPhone         Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard     Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver     Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet Professional P1606dn     Neat NeatConnect Scanner     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Apple Internal Memory Card Reader Gatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /System/Library/Extensions    [not loaded]    com.marvell.kext.USBGenericPrinterClass (1.0.0) [Click for support]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.citrixonline.GoToMyPC.LaunchAgent.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.citrixonline.GoToMyPC.CommAgent.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.roamingclient.cell.mac.tm.roamingclient.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.tmobile-rocket20.zerocd.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.hp.printerAgent.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    NoneInternet Plug-ins: ℹ️    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 Check version    FlashPlayerDebugger-10.6: Version: 11.2.202.235 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]    Flash Player: Version: 11.2.202.235 Outdated! Update    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.9r620 [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    Carbonite  [Click for support]    Flash Player  [Click for support]    GoToMyPC Preferences  [Click for support]    Growl  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Auto backup: YES    Volumes being backed up:        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 355.88 GB    Destinations:        Taylor Technology Time Caps [Network]         Total size: 2.00 TB         Total number of backups: 91         Oldest backup: 2014-01-13 06:38:23 +0000         Last backup: 2015-03-06 14:07:22 +0000         Size of backup disk: Adequate            Backup size 2.00 TB &gt; (Disk used 355.88 GB X 3)Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️        25%    CarboniteDaemon         3%    WindowServer         2%    systemstatsd         1%    launchd         0%    HP Scanner 3Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️    129 MB    CarboniteDaemon    103 MB    ocspd    77 MB    Safari    52 MB    Dock    39 MB    mds_storesVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    9.94 GB    Free RAM    1.48 GB    Active RAM    539 MB    Inactive RAM    922 MB    Wired RAM    1.01 GB    Page-ins    0 B    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Mar 6, 2015, 09:24:22 AM    Self test - passed    Feb 12, 2015, 10:18:58 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-02-12-101858_[redacted].panic [Click for details]

Allan Eckert · Answer

You tried but the disk drive is still erring out. It is time to start looking for a replacement for it.I also suggest that you backup everything. You do appear to be using Carbonite for backup but with a disk replacement that is probably going to be more of a problem then a help. I suggest that you create a bootable clone using either CCC or SuperDuper instead.After reviewing the report a second time, I would suggest that you uninstall Carbonite. It is take a huge amount of resources on your Mac, both CPU and RAM. It might actually be the cause for your slow sluggish feel of your Mac.

soonerof69 · Answer

Thanks ... is it OK to back up with Super Duper to my Time Machine or should I do it to a FireWire drive recommended in the SuperDuper literature?

Allan Eckert · Answer

That is pretty much up to you.Although in your case where you will be replacing the disk drive, the bootable clone is the better alternative because it will allow you to restore the everything on the new disk drive by booting from clone and checking the disk drive from there. Once you are satisfied the new disk drive is ready, you can clone everything back to the new disk drive. Then boot from the new disk drive and you are finished.

soonerof69 · Answer

alcosser · Answer

I am having the exact error message in SuperDuper! on my Macbook Pro.  What did you do to resolve your problem?