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Level 1

8 points

27" iMac won't boot properly after power outage

Help! My iMac won’t boot properly following a power outage. I left my iMac in sleep mode and we lost power due to a thunderstorm. When I turned it back on, it chimed, got the Apple logo then white screen with spinning pinwheel (beach ball). I am a freelance videographer and editor, so my computer is my livelihood. Yes, I know, I should have had it plugged into an APC, but I can’t afford to have it repaired professionally and I would appreciate any tips on what could be the problem. Here are the specs of my computer:

27” iMac OS X v. 10.7.5 Lion

2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor

12GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Here are the troubleshooting steps I’ve taken so far:

Rebooted in OS X Recovery mode and ran disk utility, after verifying the disk, it said “The Volume Macintosh HD appears to be OK”
Reset the SMC
Reset the NVRAM
Launched Single User Mode by shutting the iMac down and turning it back on while pressing Command-S. At the command-line prompt, I typed fsck –fy and hit return. After the checks were complete, I got the message that “The Volume appears to by OK”
Launched disk utility again in recovery mode and ran Repair Permissions
Performed a safe boot and it came up fine. Of course, I was unable to connect any peripheral devices to run a quick backups of anything I’ve done since June 2^nd, but I’ll deal with that later.
Shut down the computer and left it unplugged from back of iMac and the surge protector for 24 hours. The next day I plugged it back in and just walked away for an hour. When I came back, it was on the login screen. I was so excited that everything was fine. However, it took over 15 minutes to login and once I was logged in, it would take over 30 mins to just open applications, so something is still wrong. It has never run that slow.
The only thing I have not done yet is reinstall Mountain Lion. I’m hesitant in doing that since it runs fine in safe mode. Would the operating system be the problem if it runs fine in safe mode? My last time machine backups was on 2 June, so I’m not too worried about reloaded the OS X and losing data, I just don’t want to take that step if it’s not necessary.

What is a logic board failure? If it fails, would my computer still run in safe mode? Based on the troubleshooting steps I've taken so far and the fact it did start after an hour, but runs too slow to do anything, what could be the problem? I would greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations for this issue. Thanks!

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jul 16, 2015 8:45 AM

48 replies

MichelPM

Level 10

81,004 points

Jul 23, 2015 12:40 PM in response to jpfedele

Your iMac is HEAVILY modified.

You should start by completely uninstall the Intego antivirus software.

You need to do a web search to find how to "properly" and correctly uninstall this software.

Intego Net Barrier is killing your Mac's performance!

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/

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.

Also, you have two versions of Adobe Flash Player installed.

Use Adobe's Flash Player uninstaller app and use it twice to uninstall both Flash Player versions then go the Adobe Flash Player download of the Adobe website and reinstall the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Uninstall/delete any installed Western Digital software on your Mac. It isn't necessary on OS X.

Then, restart your Mac and see if things get much better.

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 23, 2015 1:47 PM in response to MichelPM

MichelPM,

Thanks for the awesome feedback! I am very cautious online and since I'm fairly new to Macs, I purchased the VirusBarrier just to be sure since I've been a PC for over 20 years and there was always virus and malware issues. I've not had a virus or malware on my Macs, so yes, I will uninstall the Intego software. It was the software recommended by the Apple store when I purchased my MacBook Pro and I just used the same software when I purchased my iMac computer. Is it possible software can become corrupted during a power outage?

What is "Western Digital Software"? I searched that term and don't understand what I'm reading. How do I know something is a Western Digital Software in order to uninstall it? Thanks so much for your assistance.

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Jul 23, 2015 1:52 PM in response to MichelPM

MichelPM wrote:

Also, you have two versions of Adobe Flash Player installed.

Use Adobe's Flash Player uninstaller app and use it twice to uninstall both Flash Player versions then go the Adobe Flash Player download of the Adobe website and reinstall the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Actually, there is only one installed as it's normal to have plug-ins for both 10.6 and all others, but it does need to be replaced as it's a known vulnerable version which has already been blocked by Apple XProtect due to threats found in-the-wild. Current version is 18.0.0.209.

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Jul 23, 2015 5:36 PM in response to jpfedele

jpfedele wrote:

What is "Western Digital Software"? I searched that term and don't understand what I'm reading. How do I know something is a Western Digital Software in order to uninstall it? Thanks so much for your assistance.

This lot is Western Digital Software:

This lot is not, but it is obsolete and should be replaced with up to date versions:

Michel and MadMacs seem to have covered the rest.

MichelPM

Level 10

81,004 points

Jul 23, 2015 5:38 PM in response to jpfedele

If you have any external hard drives connected, the actuAl hard drives inside these enclosures are made by Western Digital and they may have software that they have placed or installed on these drives. Western Digital software shows up with the "wdc" in the file name.

You have some Western Digital (wdc) extensions located in your System/Library/Externsions folder that appear to be inactive, but those extensions may not becnecessary. So, you need to drag these to the trash and before emptying the trash, restart your Mac to see if these drives still function without those extensions. If the drive are still working properly without those "extra extensions" then you can empty these from your OS X Trash icon.

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:07 AM in response to MichelPM

I'm very happy to report my iMac is up and running! You were correct about the Intego software. I uninstalled it and removed Java and Flash Player, restarted the computer and it booted normally. Thanks so much for all your help.

The only problem I'm still having is removing the Western Digital Software. I went to the System/Library/Extensions folder, but did not see any "wdc" files. I'll keep working that issue.

I will also uninstall Intego on my MacBook Pro computer, along with Java and Flash Player.

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:12 AM in response to MichelPM

Quick Question, is Western Digital Software used with Time Machine backups?

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:14 AM in response to jpfedele

No, WD software has no valid use on a Mac, it should be removed (not least because in 2014 there were several well publicized cases of data loss caused by it)

Get rid of it now.

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:22 AM in response to MichelPM

Well, I might not be totally out of the woods yet. I'm unable to browse the Internet on the iMac. I'm connected via my WIFI network, but can't access any website. Would removing Java and Flash Player caused any of this problem? I opened the Network info in System Preferences and it says I have a good connection via the WIFI network. What else can I check?

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:36 AM in response to MichelPM

Ok, I'm able to browse the Internet now. I turned off the WIFI and turned it back on. BINGO!

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:41 AM in response to jpfedele

🙂 there may be a gotcha or two, just work through them logically. This already a vast improvement.

Run a new etrecheck report when you can.

jpfedele Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:40 AM in response to Csound1

Any suggestions on how to remove the software? I searched my iMac for Western Digital Software and "wdc" and found nothing.

cdhw

Level 4

3,588 points

Jul 25, 2015 3:19 PM in response to jpfedele

I suspect that the 'wdc' extensions were installed along with one or more of 'WD Drive Manager', 'WD Raid Manager' or 'WD SmartWare'. The safest/easiest way to uninstall them is to use the original installer but select 'Remove' instead of 'Install'.

If you don't still have them, you may be able to download copies of WD installers here:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=111&sid=61&lang=en

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Jul 25, 2015 3:58 PM in response to cdhw

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Jul 25, 2015 4:00 PM in response to jpfedele

jpfedele wrote:

Any suggestions on how to remove the software? I searched my iMac for Western Digital Software and "wdc" and found nothing.

Here's a good rule of thumb. Never install anything that you do not know how to uninstall.

27" iMac won't boot properly after power outage