rainbow wheel won't go away

Question

no matter what I&#x27;m trying to do on my iMac - using safari, checking mail, or numbers, I am watching this horrible beachball spin more than actually DOING anything else.  I saw a previous thread recommended to run Etrecheck, which I did and report should follow - can anyone help??Problem description:running slow, constant rainbow wheelEtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)Report generated 4/27/15, 4:40 PMDownload 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 (21.5-inch, Late 2009) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac10,1    1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core    4 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            Empty           BANK 1/DIMM0            Empty           BANK 0/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB        iMac 1920 x 1080System Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.10.3 (14D136) - Time since boot: 0:41:40Disk Information: ℹ️    Hitachi HDT721050SLA360 disk0 : (500.11 GB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (285.16 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GA11N disk1 : (393.7 MB)        disk1s1 (disk1s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 101 MB         disk1s2 (disk1s2) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 118 MB         disk1s3 (disk1s3) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 74 MB         disk1s4 (disk1s4) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 58 MB         disk1s5 (disk1s5) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 38 MB         disk1s6 (disk1s6) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 1 MB         disk1s7 (disk1s7) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 2 MB USB Information: ℹ️    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple Internal Memory Card Reader     Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub         Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver     Logitech USB Receiver     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller Gatekeeper: ℹ️    AnywhereKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /System/Library/Extensions    [not loaded]    com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.9) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGEMobilSolutionFamily (1.5.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.kext.wwan (3.1.11) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PTRayUSBFamily (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.68) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.68) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraDevSupport (2.0.2) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSCSupport (2.0.2) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSRSupport (2.0.2) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraHSRSupport (2.0.2) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessModem (3.2.7 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWDrv (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions/LGEMobileSolutionFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGELTEBus (1.5.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGELTEMdmControl (1.5.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGELTEMdmData (1.5.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGELTENicControl (1.5.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.lge.driver.LGELTENicData (1.5.4) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions/NovatelWirelessWWAN.kext/Contents/Plugins    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMControl (3.1.11 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMData (3.1.11 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (3.1.11 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (3.1.11 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (3.1.11 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions/PTRayUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechBus (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechCDFree (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechCm (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechMdmControl (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechMdmData (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.PantechSer (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.pantech.driver.QmiDriver (1.2.8 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions/PTUMWDrv.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWCDFree (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWCSP (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWDIAG (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWMdmControl (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWMdmData (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.vaultmicro.driver.PTUMWUSBMergeNub (12.4.11 - SDK 10.5) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions/SMSIWirelessModem.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessCDC (3.2.7 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessSerial (3.2.7 - SDK 10.4) [Click for support]Startup Items: ℹ️    TiVoDesktop: Path: /Library/StartupItems/TiVoDesktop    Startup items are obsolete in OS X YosemiteProblem System Launch Agents: ℹ️    [killed]    com.apple.AirPlayUIAgent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.bird.plist    [killed]    com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist    [killed]    com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist    [killed]    com.apple.cloudphotosd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.cmfsyncagent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist    [killed]    com.apple.gamed.plist    [killed]    com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesagent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.pbs.plist    [killed]    com.apple.photolibraryd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.printtool.agent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.SafariCloudHistoryPushAgent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.SafariNotificationAgent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.sbd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.scopedbookmarkagent.xpc.plist    [killed]    com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy.plist    [killed]    com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd.plist    18 processes killed due to memory pressureProblem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [killed]    com.apple.cache_delete.plist    [killed]    com.apple.ctkd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.diagnosticd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.icloud.findmydeviced.plist    [killed]    com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesagent.plist    [killed]    com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesd.plist    [killed]    com.apple.ifdreader.plist    [killed]    com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity.plist    [killed]    com.apple.nehelper.plist    [killed]    com.apple.sysmond.plist    [killed]    com.apple.tccd.system.plist    [killed]    com.apple.wdhelper.plist    [killed]    org.cups.cupsd.plist    13 processes killed due to memory pressureLaunch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist [Click for support]    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.smithmicro.vzwwirelessd.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.dtv.vgconnect.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.dtv.vgconnect.uninstall.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    iTunesHelper    UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)    RealPlayer Downloader Agent    Application  (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/RealNetworks/RealPlayer Downloader Agent.app)    Spotify    Application  (/Applications/Spotify.app)    Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)    Dropbox    Application  (/Applications/Dropbox.app)    Music Manager    UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)    vzwwirelessd    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    DING!    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    uTorrent (29330)    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Octoshape    Application  (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Octoshape/Octoshape.app)    EpsonLowInkReminderAgent    Application  (/Applications/Epson Software/Epson Low Ink Reminder.app/Contents/EpsonLowInkReminderAgent.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.0.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.0.0.126   - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]    NP2020Player: Version: 4.5.2.0 [Click for support]    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.3 [Click for support]    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    SlingPlayer: Version: Unknown [Click for support]    Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.41.0.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.3 [Click for support]    CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: 1.1.10 - SDK 10.5 [Click for support]User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    OctoshapeWeb: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]    npBcsMcTcIO: Version: Unknown [Click for support]    Picasa: Version: 1.0 [Click for support]Safari Extensions: ℹ️    Manilla3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    Carbonite  [Click for support]    Flash Player  [Click for support]    Flip4Mac WMV  [Click for support]    MacFUSE  [Click for support]    MusicManager  [Click for support]    TiVo Desktop  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Skip System Files: NO    Mobile backups: OFF    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off    Volumes being backed up:        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 499.25 GB Disk used: 214.09 GB    Destinations:        Data [Network]         Total size: 0 B         Total number of backups: 0         Oldest backup: -         Last backup: -         Size of backup disk: Too small            Backup size 0 B &lt; (Disk used 214.09 GB X 3)Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️        11%    CarboniteDaemon        10%    WindowServer         5%    PrinterProxy         2%    distnoted(2)         2%    NotificationCenterTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    540 MB    kernel_task    430 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(10)    49 MB    Safari    37 MB    spindump    33 MB    CarboniteDaemonVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    248 MB    Free RAM     3.76 GB    Used RAM     1.09 GB    Swap Used Diagnostics Information: ℹ️    Apr 27, 2015, 04:16:09 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify_2015-04-27-161609_[redacted].hang    Apr 27, 2015, 03:49:51 PM    Self test - passed    Apr 27, 2015, 08:20:50 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_2015-04-27-082050_[ redacted].hang    Apr 27, 2015, 08:20:44 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_2015-04-27-082044_[ redacted].hang    Apr 27, 2015, 08:20:32 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64_2015-04-27-082032_[r edacted].hang

WZZZ · Answer

I don&#x27;t know about all the third party stuff (kexts) you have installed, but you need more memory. 4GB with all that stuff running is not enough. Since you only have 248 MB free RAM with 1.09 GB SWAP, your system is running on fumes. Does the beachballing (rainbow wheel) get better with a restart and then progressively get worse again?

MichelPM · Answer

FIrst,With everything you have installed on that iMac, you need a lot more RAM installed.Your iMac is starved for RAM.Your iMac year and model can take a total of 16 GBs of RAM.Install, at least, another 8 GBs of RAM for a total of 12 GBs of RAM.Correct, compatible and reliable Mac RAM can ONLY be purchased from online RAM sources Crucial memory or OWC (http://www.macsales.com).RAM is user installable and, relatively, easy for newbie or novice Mac users to install.http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_late_2009_mem_h/Next,You need to pare down your user login/startup items to less than six items.Add or remove automatic items Choose Apple menu &gt; System Preferences, then click Users &amp; Groups. Select your user account, then click Login Items. Do one of the following: Click Add below the list on the right, select an app, document, folder, or disk, then click Add.If you don’t want an item’s windows to be visible after login, select Hide. (Hide does not apply to servers, which always appear in the Finder after login.) Select the name of the item you want to prevent from opening automatically, then click Delete below the list on the right.Next,Ditch ALL Googlewares. They are ALL a serious resource hogs on the OS X system.https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95319?hl&#x3D;enhttps://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375081?hl&#x3D;enIf you do not like Apple&#x27;s Safari web browser, download, install and try Mozilla FireFox, instead.The current, up-to-date version of FireFox is fully compatible with OS X and is regularly updated by the great developers of the Mozilla group.I have, also, stopped using the Google search engine regularly (due to Google&#x27;s privacy policies or lack thereof) and I now use DuckDuckGo as my default search engine.Also, your Carbonite Cloud backup software maybe dominating your system.You need to adjust Carbonite&#x27;s settings so Carbonite is NOT trying to constantly create small backups while you are actually working on your Mac.Have Carbonite initiate your system backups during times of prolonged inactivity on your Mac.Make sure you have updated ALL your installed software and ALL connected device software and drivers.Update all of your Web Browser Internet plugins and extensions.Mac FUSE is obsolete and has been replaced by FUSE for OShttps://osxfuse.github.io/Good Luck!

Linc Davis · Answer

When you see a beachball cursor or the slowness is especially bad, note the exact time: hour, minute, second.   These instructions must be carried out as an administrator. If you have only one user account, you are the administrator.Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.The title of the Console window should be All Messages. If it isn&#x27;t, select          SYSTEM LOG QUERIES ▹ All Messagesfrom the log list on the left. If you don&#x27;t see that list, select          View ▹ Show Log Listfrom the menu bar at the top of the screen.Each message in the log begins with the date and time when it was entered. Scroll back to the time you noted above.Select the messages entered from then until the end of the episode, or until they start to repeat, whichever comes first.Copy the messages to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.The log contains a vast amount of information, almost all of it useless for solving any particular problem. When posting a log extract, be selective. A few dozen lines are almost always more than enough.Please don&#x27;t indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.Please don&#x27;t post screenshots of log messages—post the text.Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.When you post the log extract, you might see an error message on the web page: "You have included content in your post that is not permitted," or "The message contains invalid characters." That&#x27;s a bug in the forum software. Please post the text on Pastebin, then post a link here to the page you created.

WZZZ · Answer

.

WZZZ · Answer

To make things a bit simpler, open Console.app (to be found in Applications&gt;Utilities in the Applications folder of  the Macintosh Hard Drive folder). What will open first shouldl be "All Messages." In the search field, called "String Matching", enter "I/O" no quotes. That&#x27;s an I as in "eye" and letter "O." Post back with any results you get, which, if present will most likely mean a failing hard drive. If you do get any of these, do a backup ASAP.But most likely the beachballing is due to inadequate RAM.