My iMac is stuck on indexing

Hi, My IMac keeps freezing up with numerous programmes not responding and being forced to quit. When I look on spotlight I see that the iMac is "estimating the indexing time"


I am using OS X Version 10.9.5 with a 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo and with 4GB of memory. I have an attached Airport Extreme and an external drive. Time machine seems to be working ok making regular backups. The disc is pretty full but I have 226 GB free of 639 GB.


Can anyone offer any help or advice?


Thank you.

Vedeco

Imac

Posted on Dec 21, 2015 4:20 AM

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2 replies

Dec 21, 2015 7:19 AM in response to Vedeco

My IMac keeps freezing up

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Dec 22, 2015 9:34 AM in response to Vedeco

System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy - add your internal hard drive to stop indexing. Wait a couple of minutes, and then remove the internal hard drive. See if it finishes indexing.


If that doesn't work, open Applications/Utilities/Terminal and copy/paste the command below, then hit return. This will force Spotlight to create a new index file.


sudo mdutil -E / .

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My iMac is stuck on indexing

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