macbook so slow for about 10-15 minutes then better

I've got a late 2008 Macbook, Processor 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, Memory 2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB

Recently updated to OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.2 - but was having the problem before, so I don't think its caused by the lastest os.

It is sooooo slow every time it first wakes and I try to do stuff, mail, surfing etc - spinning beach ball over and over. Then after I'm on for a while it seems to free up without all the hanging up and lags - any ideas on what I can do to fix this?

MacBook

Posted on Jan 1, 2016 9:11 AM

23 replies

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 3, 2016 5:33 PM in response to DJP from Mich

Just follow their instructions. The screws are philip head and very small. The average household screwdriver would not work. They tell you in the video what screwdriver you need. You could buy their kit or go to a hardware store and find one. having it magnetized is helpful.

Jan 3, 2016 5:35 PM in response to my ginger

my brother says that I would have to be very careful about static electricity ??

pinkstones

Level 5

4,246 points

Jan 3, 2016 5:49 PM in response to DJP from Mich

Touching something metal before you touch the inside of the computer should discharge any static that could cause problems.

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 3, 2016 5:54 PM in response to DJP from Mich

Since that is an aluminum Macbook, touching the body of the Macbook is good enough.

Jan 4, 2016 5:42 PM in response to my ginger

When I look at the OWC site for ordering the 8 g of ram it says this: "it is capable of supporting 8 GB of RAM if updated to Boot ROM Version MB51.007D.B03" - how do I figure out if I have that ROM version and if I don't how do I update it to the required one?

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,208 points

Jan 4, 2016 6:15 PM in response to DJP from Mich

DJP from Mich wrote:

When I look at the OWC site for ordering the 8 g of ram it says this: "it is capable of supporting 8 GB of RAM if updated to Boot ROM Version MB51.007D.B03" - how do I figure out if I have that ROM version and if I don't how do I update it to the required one?

I agree with Lanny, HD seems suspicious to me, especially if this is the original HD. I also agree with My Ginger, 2GB RAM is not enough for ElCapitan.

Boot Rom version-

In terminal, copy and paste:

system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep -i "Version" | awk -F ':' '{print $1 $2}'

hit the return key.

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support

If you are ordering from OWC I would also a order an external enclosure and new HD/SSD. Make a boot clone with Carbon Copy Cloner.

If you boot off this clone- you can compare performance.

At worst you will have current bootable backup.

DIY upgrading RAM is easy enough, without paying someone to do it for you.

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Jan 4, 2016 7:52 PM in response to DJP from Mich

As you update or upgrade you operating system, most generally the firmware gets upgraded with it. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518 This is a list of mac computers and the firmware upgrades. If you try to install a firmware upgrade that is not needed you will get a message that you do not need it.

Jan 18, 2016 7:41 AM in response to DJP from Mich

Hey everybody - just wanted to say thanks and let you know that I put in the 8gb of ram this morning - everything went fine and my macbook is sooooooo much faster now - I was nervous to get in there but putting it in myself was easy and I saved money doing the install myself AND this machine will last longer now - so happy - thanks everybody for your help!

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macbook so slow for about 10-15 minutes then better