Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iMac slowness, weirdness

I have a mid-2011 iMac 27 inch w/1.31 GHz Intel i5 processor running OS 10.9.5. Recent issues: slow loading; iPhoto now runs after wake from sleep (no device); loud, long (at least a few seconds) beep during last reboot, square gray section briefly appears near lower left of screen during reboot.


I ran EtreCheck and got the following (including too small a backup disk [?] how can it back up 300+ GB when less than 200GB is in use? We back up to keep files secure.). I'm not a techie in the least. Any suggestions? Thanks.


EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 7/3/15, 12:24 PM

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck


Click 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 2011) (Technical Specifications)

iMac - model: iMac12,2

1 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1

Empty

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n


Video Information: ℹ️

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1024 MB

iMac 1920 x 1080


System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.9.5 (13F1096) - Time since boot: 14:46:45


Disk Information: ℹ️

ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (801.46 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB


HL-DT-STDVDRW GA32N


USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader 3.97 GB

NO NAME (disk1s1) /Volumes/NO NAME : 3.96 GB (3.59 GB free)


Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Configuration files: ℹ️

/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

/etc/hosts - Count: 1


Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers


Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/DiskWarrior.app

[not loaded] com.alsoft.Preview (3.0.3) [Click for support]


/LCC Installer.app

[not loaded] com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver (2.6.0) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.flipvideo.IOUSBCameraMassStorage (1.0.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.fsb.kext.logKext (2.2) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.tomtom.driver.UsbEthernetGadget (1.0.0d1) [Click for support]


Startup Items: ℹ️

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite


Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.coupons.coupond.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.ecpd.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.mcafee.menulet.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.mcafee.reporter.plist [Click for support]


Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShareServer.launchd.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]

[unknown] com.mcafee.ssm.ScanFactory.plist [Click for support]

[unknown] com.mcafee.ssm.ScanManager.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.mcafee.virusscan.fmpd.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.starfield.backupservice.plist [Click for support]


User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]


User Login Items: ℹ️

iTunesHelper UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

WorkspaceUpdate Application (/Applications/Workspace/WorkspaceUpdate.app)

HP Scheduler Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)

HP Product Research Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Customer Participation/HP Product Research.app)


Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.1.0.33 [Click for support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Click for support]

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.14 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SiteAdvisor: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.1 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.14 [Click for support]

CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 2.1.0.1 [Click for support]

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: 5.0.3 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

CANONiMAGEGATEWAYLI: Version: 2.1.0.1 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.8.0 - SDK 10.9 Check version


User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

WbeTools64_14: Version: 1.0.23.53 © 2013 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

npBcsMcTcIO: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]

fileEditTool64_15: Version: 1.0.35.65 © 2013 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]


Safari Extensions: ℹ️

SiteAdvisor


3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

Growl [Click for support]

Logitech Control Center [Click for support]


Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: YES - System files not being backed up

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 197.89 GB

Destinations:

imac backup [Local]

Total size: 301.33 GB

Total number of backups: 61

Oldest backup: 2010-09-17 02:31:17 +0000

Last backup: 2015-05-02 22:11:28 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 301.33 GB < (Disk used 197.89 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

2% fontd

2% WindowServer

1% VShieldScanner(4)

0% Google Chrome Helper(5)

0% taskgated


Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

643 MB Google Chrome Helper(5)

487 MB kernel_task

180 MB softwareupdated

168 MB Google Chrome

131 MB VShieldScanner(4)


Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

335 MB Free RAM

3.67 GB Used RAM

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Jul 3, 2015, 12:51:23 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PluginProcess_2015-07-03-00512 3_[redacted].crash

Jul 3, 2015, 12:42:58 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PluginProcess_2015-07-03-00425 8_[redacted].crash

Jul 2, 2015, 09:35:50 PM Self test - passed

iMac

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 10:38 AM

Reply
12 replies

Jul 3, 2015 10:55 AM in response to melish27

First

Properly uninstall Mcafee per the antivirus developer's instructions.


Antivirus software is NOT needed if the Mac you are running is only running OS X. Antivirus apps interfere with normal performance and operation of a Mac because they program too many controls (program extensions) into the main OS X system software impacting/impeding general performance of a Mac.

Here are some of my tidbits of advice on how to avoid viruses in the future, if you encounter a virus, again.

Some anti-virus solutions can slow down your Mac, but to be honest, the best anit-virus app is you, the user and your brain.

Don't visit questionable websites or website you are unsure about.

Don't use Torrents or engage in "Torrenting"

Don't install pirated software or software downloaded from a questionable or unknown websites or untrutsted sources.

Java is still a vulnerability concern, if you do not need it, don't use it.

Use a browser filter and pop-up blocker

Don't open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize.

Install security updates when they become available

Educate yourself as to what threats are common and active.

In effect, use your own brain as the antivirus filter.

Follow that advise and in MOST cases, you will be fine and won't risk your Mac to potential Trojans, malware or viruses.

If you feel you need some baseline virus protection that is minimally invasive on the Mac OS X system, install


ClamXAV


http://www.clamxav.com/


Next


Ditch ALL Googlewares. They are ALL a serious resource hogs on the OS X system.

The additional benefit is that you'll stop Google from mining your data when you surf the web

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95319?hl=

If you do not like Apple's Safari web browser, download, install and try Mozilla FireFox, instead.

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox

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's privacy policies or lack thereof) and I now use DuckDuckGo as my default search engine.

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.

Good Luck!

Jul 3, 2015 10:57 AM in response to melish27

Your issue is likely tied to having antivirus software installed on your computer. Antivirus apps for OS X are unnecessary as there are no viruses for OS X. There is a small amount of malware for OS X however that is easily avoided by using a little common sense:


  • Never use a Torrent site to download anything!
  • If you receive an add, pop-up, e-mail or phone call advising that your system has been compromised this is a SCAM!!
  • Keep OS X up-to-date.


I STRONGLY recommend locating the developers instructions for uninstalling the antivirus app and follow them to the letter. Then run another EtreCheck report and look for any traces of the antivirus app. Finally retest your system for performance.

Jul 3, 2015 11:39 AM in response to MichelPM

Thanks. I didn't realize I had any McAfee anything still on this machine--I've uninstalled it (I think), but does your and other replies mean I have a virus? I'll also upgrade RAM (d'oh!--for some reason I'd thought this machine was maxed out on that). Below is the latest Etrecheck report, fwiw:


Problem description:

follow-up with Mcafee uninstalled


EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 7/3/15, 2:35 PM

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck


Click 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 2011) (Technical Specifications)

iMac - model: iMac12,2

1 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1

Empty

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n


Video Information: ℹ️

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1024 MB

iMac 1920 x 1080


System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.9.5 (13F1096) - Time since boot: 16:57:47


Disk Information: ℹ️

ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (802.05 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB


HL-DT-STDVDRW GA32N


USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader 3.97 GB

NO NAME (disk1s1) /Volumes/NO NAME : 3.96 GB (3.59 GB free)


Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Configuration files: ℹ️

/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

/etc/hosts - Count: 1


Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers


Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/DiskWarrior.app

[not loaded] com.alsoft.Preview (3.0.3) [Click for support]


/LCC Installer.app

[not loaded] com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver (2.6.0) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.flipvideo.IOUSBCameraMassStorage (1.0.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.fsb.kext.logKext (2.2) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.tomtom.driver.UsbEthernetGadget (1.0.0d1) [Click for support]


Startup Items: ℹ️

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite


Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.coupons.coupond.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.ecpd.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist [Click for support]


Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShareServer.launchd.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.starfield.backupservice.plist [Click for support]


User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]


User Login Items: ℹ️

iTunesHelper UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

WorkspaceUpdate Application (/Applications/Workspace/WorkspaceUpdate.app)

HP Scheduler Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)

HP Product Research Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Customer Participation/HP Product Research.app)


Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.1.0.33 [Click for support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Click for support]

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.14 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SiteAdvisor: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.1 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.14 [Click for support]

CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 2.1.0.1 [Click for support]

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: 5.0.3 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

CANONiMAGEGATEWAYLI: Version: 2.1.0.1 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.8.0 - SDK 10.9 Check version


User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

WbeTools64_14: Version: 1.0.23.53 © 2013 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

npBcsMcTcIO: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]

fileEditTool64_15: Version: 1.0.35.65 © 2013 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]


Safari Extensions: ℹ️

SiteAdvisor


3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

Growl [Click for support]

Logitech Control Center [Click for support]


Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: YES - System files not being backed up

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 197.29 GB

Destinations:

imac backup [Local]

Total size: 301.33 GB

Total number of backups: 62

Oldest backup: 2010-09-17 02:31:17 +0000

Last backup: 2015-07-03 16:57:53 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 301.33 GB < (Disk used 197.29 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

7% firefox

1% WindowServer

1% Dropbox

0% hidd

0% notifyd


Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

504 MB kernel_task

422 MB firefox

139 MB mds_stores

123 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

90 MB Dropbox


Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

618 MB Free RAM

3.24 GB Used RAM

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Jul 3, 2015, 12:51:23 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PluginProcess_2015-07-03-00512 3_[redacted].crash

Jul 3, 2015, 12:42:58 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PluginProcess_2015-07-03-00425 8_[redacted].crash

Jul 2, 2015, 09:35:50 PM Self test - passed

Jul 3, 2015 4:00 PM in response to Linc Davis

16GB RAM is ideal for a user who...


1. Who's doing lots of video editing and/or gaming

2. Has lots of pulldown utilities on their desktop

3. Wants to "future-proof" your computer; there's no telling how demanding future OS's will be

4. You use lots of applications at the same time


While 8GB RAM will suffice for most users, 16GB won't hurt. And OWC is a dependable vendor for RAM.

Jul 3, 2015 4:38 PM in response to melish27

How big is your iPhoto Library?


with 4GB of RAM I would recommend no more than 30-40 GB in size.



How did you uninstall McAffee? Drag and drop into Trash won't do it. You'll need the uninstaller follow description on http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101226&lc=1033&pf=1 to uninstall properly.


Is this your first mac? Did you use migration assistant in Migrating Data from Time Machine backups in the past? Slow running systems basically stem from an over and over migration that go back to a time as early as Time Machine release under 10.5

Only good solution here I know is a repartion oh your Main HDD, followed by a clean install -> Disk Utility 12.x: Partition a disk -> OS X: How to erase and install - Apple Support -> with a manual data migration (Don't play back your Time Machine Backup!)


Use the Mac with its bare essentials. Keep eye candy and gadgets to a bare minimum.

Jul 4, 2015 9:35 AM in response to Linc Davis

Sorry if I offended you by buying more RAM than I'm likely to ever need (but I didn't max out--the machine's capacity is 32GB--and isn't the rule of thumb to always install more memory than you need?) or posting the diagnostic data (that seems to be what people do on this board). Do you have any suggestions for what I should do?

Jul 4, 2015 9:50 AM in response to Chris P. Bacon

Thanks. I doubt the library is anywhere near 30GB (but I haven't totaled it up; there are some videos but mostly fairly large [1-4MB] photos), but as far as I understood more RAM never hurts.


Yes, I used the uninstaller (but I didn't even realize that McAfee--"Internet Protector" or some such--was "antivirus" software or even running; I used to have Norton but uninstalled that a year or two ago, and I'd thought the machine was antivirus-software-free). What worries me now is other peoples' suggestion that I might have a virus. One note: Upon waking just now iPhoto did not run, so that's progress(?).


Not my first Mac but the first with which I've used Time Machine; I recall doing a migration from my old eMac, and I partitioned my external backup drive (OWC, 500GB total capacity) basically to separate those machine's files from this one's. I'm hoping to avoid partitioning the internal HD/clean install/manual migration--seems like a a last resort (and hassle)--but we'll see...

Jul 4, 2015 11:48 AM in response to melish27

1. This procedure is a diagnostic test. It changes nothing, for better or worse, and therefore will not, in itself, solve the problem. But with the aid of the test results, the solution may take a few minutes, instead of hours or days.

The test works on OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later. I don't recommend running it on older versions of OS X. It will do no harm, but it won't do much good either.

Don't be put off by the complexity of these instructions. The process is much less complicated than the description. You do harder tasks with the computer all the time.

2. If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data before doing anything else. The backup is necessary on general principle, not because of anything in the test procedure. Backup is always a must, and when you're having any kind of trouble with the computer, you may be at higher than usual risk of losing data, whether you follow these instructions or not.

There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

3. Below are instructions to run a UNIX shell script, a type of program. As I wrote above, it changes nothing. It doesn't send or receive any data on the network. All it does is to generate a human-readable report on the state of the computer. That report goes nowhere unless you choose to share it. If you prefer, you can act on it yourself without disclosing the contents to me or anyone else.

You should be wondering whether you can believe me, and whether it's safe to run a program at the behest of a stranger. In general, no, it's not safe and I don't encourage it.

In this case, however, there are a couple of ways for you to decide whether the program is safe without having to trust me. First, you can read it. Unlike an application that you download and click to run, it's transparent, so anyone with the necessary skill can verify what it does.

You may not be able to understand the script yourself. But variations of it have been posted on this website thousands of times over a period of years. The site is hosted by Apple, which does not allow it to be used to distribute harmful software. Any one of the millions of registered users could have read the script and raised the alarm if it was harmful. Then I would not be here now and you would not be reading this message. See, for example, this discussion.

Another indication that the test is safe can be found in this thread, and this one, for example, where the comment in which I suggested it was recommended by one of the Apple Community Specialists, as explained here.

Nevertheless, if you can't satisfy yourself that these instructions are safe, don't follow them. Ask for other options.

4. Here's a general summary of what you need to do, if you choose to proceed:

☞ Copy a particular line of text to the Clipboard.

☞ Paste into the window of another application.

☞ Wait for the test to run. It usually takes a few minutes.

☞ Paste the results, which will have been copied automatically, back into a reply on this page.

These are not specific instructions; just an overview. The details are in parts 7 and 8 of this comment. The sequence is: copy, paste, wait, paste again. You don't need to copy a second time.

5. Try to test under conditions that reproduce the problem, as far as possible. For example, if the computer is sometimes, but not always, slow, run the test during a slowdown.

You may have started up in safe mode. If the system is now in safe mode and works well enough in normal mode to run the test, restart as usual. If you can only test in safe mode, do that.

6. If you have more than one user, and the one affected by the problem is not an administrator, then please run the test twice: once while logged in as the affected user, and once as an administrator. The results may be different. The user that is created automatically on a new computer when you start it for the first time is an administrator. If you can't log in as an administrator, test as the affected user. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this section doesn’t apply. Don't log in as root.

7. Load this linked web page (on the website "Pastebin.") The title of the page is "Diagnostic Test." Below the title is a text box headed by three small icons. The one on the right represents a clipboard. Click that icon to select the text, then copy it to the Clipboard on your computer by pressing the key combination command-C.

If the text doesn't highlight when you click the icon, select it by triple-clicking anywhere inside the box. Don't select the whole page, just the text in the box.

8. Launch the built-in Terminal 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.

Click anywhere in the Terminal window to activate it. Paste from the Clipboard into the window by pressing command-V, then press return. The text you pasted should vanish immediately.

9. If you see an error message in the Terminal window such as "Syntax error" or "Event not found," enter

exec bash

and press return. Then paste the script again.

10. If you're logged in as an administrator, you'll be prompted for your login password. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. You will not see the usual dots in place of typed characters. Make sure caps lock is off. Type carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you make three failed attempts to enter the password, the test will run anyway, but it will produce less information. If you don't know the password, or if you prefer not to enter it, just press return three times at the password prompt. Again, the script will still run.

If you're not logged in as an administrator, you won't be prompted for a password. The test will still run. It just won't do anything that requires administrator privileges.

11. The test may take a few minutes to run, depending on how many files you have and the speed of the computer. A computer that's abnormally slow may take longer to run the test. While it's running, a series of lines will appear in the Terminal window like this:

[Process started]

Part 1 of 8 done at … sec

Part 8 of 8 done at … sec

The test results are on the Clipboard.

Please close this window.

[Process completed]

The intervals between parts won't be exactly equal, but they give a rough indication of progress. The total number of parts may be different from what's shown here.

Wait for the final message "Process completed" to appear. If you don't see it within about ten minutes, the test probably won't complete in a reasonable time. In that case, press the key combination control-C or command-period to stop it and go to the next step. You'll have incomplete results, but still something.

12. When the test is complete, or if you stopped it because it was taking too long, quit Terminal. The results will have been copied to the Clipboard automatically. They are not shown in the Terminal window. Please don't copy anything from there. All you have to do is start a reply to this comment and then paste by pressing command-V again.

At the top of the results, there will be a line that begins with the words "Start time." If you don't see that, but instead see a mass of gibberish, you didn't wait for the "Process completed" message to appear in the Terminal window. Please wait for it and try again.

If any private information, such as your name or email address, appears in the results, anonymize it before posting. Usually that won't be necessary.

13. When you post the results, 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's a bug in the forum software. Please post the test results on Pastebin, then post a link here to the page you created.

14. This is a public forum, and others may give you advice based on the results of the test. They speak for themselves, not for me. The test itself is harmless, but whatever else you're told to do may not be. For others who choose to run it, I don't recommend that you post the test results on this website unless I asked you to.

______________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2014, 2015 by Linc Davis. As the sole author of this work (including the referenced "Diagnostic Test"), I reserve all rights to it except as provided in the Use Agreement for the Apple Support Communities website ("ASC"). Readers of ASC may copy it for their own personal use. Neither the whole nor any part may be redistributed.

iMac slowness, weirdness

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.