iMac and apps hanging, slow startup, spinning beachball, etc

Question

Over the past six months or so, my mid-2010 iMac (4-core i3 with 12GB RAM, running Yosemite10.10.3 - full system details appended below) has been getting steadily slower and slower, and frequently hangs with spinning beach ball or rotating doughnut/cog. This happens whether I have a large number of applications open or only a few, with no patterns I can detect.Frequent hangs/freezes are experienced, with slow performance, and the system has the feel of being ‘clogged’, but neither iMac nor Windows diagnostics (Activity Monitor, Etrecheck, Windows diagnostics/dials) appear to show any issues that I can see.I don’t think the problem started as a result of any particular software installation or other changes I may have made.Inter alia, I use both 64 and 32-bit versions of Windows 7 on Parallels, and they – as well as other apps on the iMac – are both now very slow/hang, even with multiple cores + 4GB memory allocated.At start-up of the iMac, the grey screen with Apple logo and progress bar show for anything between 1½ and 4 minutes, before moving to the login screen, whereas the iMac/OSX used to start up in less than 30 seconds.Despite several reboots each day the computer is now becoming very difficult to use. I’ve tried various diagnostic/repair actions, as recommended in this forum, but I am now at a loss what else to try.I outline below my system/issues and append the report today from the latest version of Etrecheck.I would be most grateful for any suggestions!Many thanksJohnSystem &amp; Devices:1.    Plusnet Fibre Broadband – running via BT Openreach ECI Telecom Ltd Modem + Plusnet Technicolour TG5829n router2.    Ethernet Network – wired + Wifi3.    iMac with 12GB RAM running OSX 10.10.3 Yosemite – also runs Windows 7 x64 &amp; x32 on Parallels4.    HP C6180 all-in-one printer5.    Buffalo LS-XL 2TB Hard Drive (used for local storage/backup but currently full and backup not operating)6.    Backblaze cloud backup – up-to-date.[Also connected to network: Fujitsu laptop, Asus &amp; Samsung tablets, iPhone &amp; Huawei phones, Panasonic TV, etc]IssuesA.    iMac1.    OSX: Upgraded to Yosemite on 30March2015 but did not stop the problems listed below, which were experienced prior to the upgrade.2.    All programs intermittently ‘hang’ (beachball/circle) and/or screen freezes (unable to move between applications) and/or applications freeze. Requires frequent reboots of both Windows and iMac.3.    Broadband speed very slow – not clear if due to iMac issue or Broadband.4.    Syncing and connection between iMac, Windows on Mac, and external devices – esp: iPhone 4s, ASUS and Samsung tablets.B.    Windows/Parallels1.    Activity hangs, with rotating ring/radials – can’t move between apps – same as on iMac.2.    Flash and Outlook CrashesEtreCheck Report – 07 July 2015Problem description:iMac and apps hanging, slow startup, spinning beachball, etc.EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)Report generated 7/7/15, 12:39 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, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac11,2    1 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2-core    12 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    ATI Radeon HD 4670 - VRAM: 256 MB        iMac 1920 x 1080System Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.10.3 (14D136) - Time since boot: 0:35:9Disk Information: ℹ️    ST3500418AS disk0 : (500.11 GB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB        Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (165.80 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB    HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N USB Information: ℹ️    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader    Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver    Apple Inc. Built-in iSightGatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /Applications/Parallels Desktop.app    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (10.2.1 29006 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.netbridge (10.2.1 29006 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (10.2.1 29006 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.vnic (10.2.1 29006 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [failed]    com.apple.mtrecorder.plistLaunch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Click for support]    [failed]    jp.buffalo.NASPower.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]    [not loaded]    jp.buffalo.NASPower_pla.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.apple.spirecorder.plist    [running]    com.backblaze.bzserv.plist [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.klieme.TimeMachineScheduler.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]    [not loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist [Click for details]    [running]    com.backblaze.bzbmenu.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    iTunesHelper    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Skype    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    VMware Fusion Helper    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    VMware Fusion Start Menu    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    LivedriveCore    Application  (/Users/[redacted]/.Trash/Livedrive.app/Contents/Resources/LivedriveCore.app)    Xmarks for Safari    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    fuspredownloader    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Dropbox    Application  (/Applications/Dropbox.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 45 Check version    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.11 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.11 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.194 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Myriad Music Plugin: Version: 5.6.3i [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]Safari Extensions: ℹ️    Open in Internet Explorer3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    Backblaze Backup  [Click for support]    Flash Player  [Click for support]    Java  [Click for support]    Perian  [Click for support]    TimeMachineScheduler  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Time Machine not configured!Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️        91%    SafariDAVClient        16%    prl_vm_app         4%    WindowServer         2%    firefox         1%    fontdTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    816 MB    kernel_task    725 MB    firefox    578 MB    com.apple.SpeechRecognitionCore.speechrecognitiond    455 MB    mdworker(13)    393 MB    SafariDAVClientVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    105 MB    Free RAM    12.00 GB    Used RAM    0 B    Swap UsedDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Jul 7, 2015, 12:11:06 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SafariDAVClient_2015-07-07-121106_[redacted].cp u_resource.diag [Click for details]    Jul 7, 2015, 12:01:45 PM    Self test - passed    Jul 7, 2015, 12:00:34 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SafariDAVClient_2015-07-07-120034_[redacted].cp u_resource.diag [Click for details]    Jul 6, 2015, 01:41:06 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2015-07-06-134106_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Click for details]    Jul 6, 2015, 08:27:33 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SafariDAVClient_2015-07-06-082733_[redacted].cp u_resource.diag [Click for details]    Jul 5, 2015, 10:00:25 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SafariDAVClient_2015-07-05-100025_[redacted].cp u_resource.diag [Click for details]    Jul 5, 2015, 09:51:51 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/discoveryd_2015-07-05-095151_[redacted].crash

rkaufmann87 · Answer

You may have a failing HD. Run Apple&#x27;s Hardware Test in extended mode 2-3 times back to back. The reason to run it multiple times is AHT does not always find errors the first or second pass, however when it does they are correct. If errors appear, the next step is to take it into an Apple Store or AASP to be professionally diagnosed.

iMacWin · Answer

Thank you rkaufmann87I have tried (3 tries) to run the AHT, following the instructions at the Apple Support page you linked to (ie pressing the start button then holding the &#x27;D&#x27; key before the grey/gray screen).However, the iMac doesn&#x27;t enter the AHT test sequence (no computer icon, etc) and just goes on to boot as per my outline (2 minutes, grey screen + apple logo + progress bar &#x3D;&gt; login screen).PS: The boot/repair disk I have is for an earlier OSX version and I would have to use an external disk drive, as the on-board optical drive collapsed one month out of warranty).What thoughts?Kind regardsJohn

rkaufmann87 · Answer

i believe you need the original media on a 2010 iMac to run AHT, please re-read the document.

iMacWin · Answer

Thank you again.Even with the latest OSX and an external drive, the iMac booted to the repair disk. However, after 4 attempts, I cannot get beyond the &#x27;probing your hardware&#x27; window - each time the progress bar stops at 95%, the disk drive stops and nothing more happens.I tried booting on the OS disk, then used Disk Utility -&gt; Repair Disk.This reported that "The volume Mackintosh HD appears to be OK".Any further thoughts?Many thanksJohn

brendafromfallbrook · Answer

I had the same problem and read many replies, some of which I did not understand, but finally found the one that fixed the problem so I am sharing it with you.  On your Mac, go to iCloud settings and turn the iCloud off for your photos.  Each time you log in with the iCloud activated all your photos begin to upload into iCloud and this slows your computer down and the rainbow wheel appears.  I have backed up my photos onto a thumb drive instead of using iCloud.  I turned it off on all three of my devices and no longer have the problem.  You can still share between devices using My Photo Stream.

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.

iMacWin · Answer

Thank you brendafromfallbrook.The problem started before I implemented my current setup on iCloud (when I updated to Yosemite in March, which I hoped would sort the problem, but it&#x27;s just getting worse and worse).However, as so often recommended in these pages, I am testing all the possible sources of the problem by turning things off and then back on one at a time to check they work OK. But iCloud does not seem to be the issue.Whatever is causing it sometimes locks the whole computer for a minute or two at a time (and the beachball/doughnut/cog stop spinning) and at other times, things just hang, with the beachball/doughnut/cog spinning.But many thanks for your suggestion.Cheers!John

iMacWin · Answer

Many thanks, Linc Davis - will do.I&#x27;ll report back here when I have the info you recommend.[And many thanks again for your help last year in helping solve a memory panic issue!]Kind regardsJohn