JoniTilt

Q: iMac keeps stopping and doing something, spinning wheel until it's over

Hi, I have been having a problem with my iMac - it's a beautiful machine but I am afraid I'm going to have to replace it. When I start it up, i usually have to wait about half an hour before I can actually use it, because it seems to be working away at something (I can hear the hard drive). Then it's fine. But often later in the day it will start doing the same thing - it basically stops and I get the spinning wheel and can't do anything more until it's finished. If I try to force quit, I can see various applications say "not responding", then that will go away after a while. I can't actually force quit anything until it's finished either. Then when it's done working it is fine and works as usual. If I quit mail it stops a bit faster but not immediately.

 

It is difficult to get any work done with this happening.

 

Is this a Ram or memory issue? I have already completely reinstalled the system (last year). I installed El Capitan in the hopes that it would make it faster as promised, but it doesn't seem to have made any difference at all.

 

It is a 27" mid 2010 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7, with 8 gigs memory. I do a lot of graphic stuff so am usually working with the Adobe apps, Word, Numbers, and web browsers.  I just am not clear on why it works fine most of the time but then has these big lags.

 

thanks for any help!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 27" i7

Posted on Jan 27, 2016 2:20 PM

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Q: iMac keeps stopping and doing something, spinning wheel until it's over

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  • by Jason L,

    Jason L Jason L Jan 28, 2016 12:35 PM in response to JoniTilt
    Community Specialists
    Jan 28, 2016 12:35 PM in response to JoniTilt

    Howdy JoniTilt,

     

    It sounds like there's an issue that is causing your iMac to respond slowly after it starts up. Take a look at the article below which provides a lot of great information that should help you isolate and resolve your Macs performance issue. 

    Isolating issues in Mac OS X - Apple Support

     

    Cheers.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jan 28, 2016 12:46 PM in response to JoniTilt
    Level 10 (141,085 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 28, 2016 12:46 PM in response to JoniTilt

    Download and run Etrecheck.  Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here (and recommended by Apple Support personnel) in the ASC to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

    OTsig.png

  • by JoniTilt,

    JoniTilt JoniTilt Jan 29, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Old Toad

    Thank you, here's what it says. I haven't restarted it for a few days because it takes so long. There are some mentions of insufficient RAM - maybe that's the issue? Although I shouldn't need that much just for startup. I do have a backup but haven't hooked it up for a while to this computer because my work is all on an external drive that gets backed up from my laptop.

     

    ...

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.7.8 (238)

    Report generated 2016-01-29 13:24:16

    Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 4:43

    Performance: Good

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Beachballing

    Description:

    Computer is very slow at startup (takes about half an hour before usable), then again later in the day. Beachball shows up and can’t use anything until it is done whatever it is doing in the background.

     

    Hardware Information:

        iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac11,3

        1 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

        8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 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:

        ATI Radeon HD 5750 - VRAM: 1024 MB

            iMac 2560 x 1440

     

    System Software:

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: about 3 days

     

    Disk Information:

        WDC WD1001FALS-40Y6A0 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Tilt iMac (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (528.12 GB free)

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

     

        HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N   ()

     

    USB Information:

        Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

            Logitech USB Laser Mouse

            Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

        Apple Card Reader

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        LaCie Rugged USB3 THB 1 TB

            EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            JoniTilt orange drive (disk1s2) /Volumes/JoniTilt orange drive : 999.86 GB (75.91 GB free)

        Verbatim Store 'n' Go 256.9 MB

            STORE'N'GO (disk2s1) /Volumes/STORE'N'GO : 257 MB (217 MB free)

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

     

    Gatekeeper:

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions:

            /Applications/Toast 11 Titanium/Spin Doctor.app

        [not loaded]    com.hzsystems.terminus.driver (4) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.roxio.BluRaySupport (1.1.6) [Support]

        [not loaded]    jp.co.yamaha.driver.YamahaSteinbergUSBAudio (1.7.0f1 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

     

            ~/Library/Services/ToastIt.service/Contents/MacOS

        [not loaded]    com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents:

        [killed]    com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.FolderActionsDispatcher.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.gamed.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.icloud.fmfd.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.rtcreportingd.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.xpc.loginitemregisterd.plist

        7 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

     

    System Launch Daemons:

        [killed]    com.apple.GSSCred.plist

        [failed]    com.apple.csrutil.report.plist [Details]

        [killed]    com.apple.ifdreader.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.periodic-weekly.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.softwareupdate_download_service.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.system_installd.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.systemstats.analysis.plist

        [killed]    com.apple.wdhelper.plist

        7 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

     

    Launch Agents:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.extensis.FMCore.plist [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.agsservice.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]

        [running]    ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist [Support]

     

    User Login Items:

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        Dropbox    Application  (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

        Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

     

    Other Apps:

        [running]    com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.2592

        [running]    com.adobe.InDesign.57632

        [loaded]    com.adobe.Photoshop.58272

        [running]    com.adobe.acc.AdobeDesktopService.111712.67469592-A086-4B86-BF53-93D8A8461059

        [running]    com.adobe.accmac.86752

        [running]    com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000024.Adobe Photoshop CC 2015

        [running]    com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x1000002c.dynamiclinkmanager

        [running]    com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x1000003d.EtreCheck

        [running]    com.getdropbox.dropbox.63392

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

        AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 [Support]

        AdobeAAMDetect: Version: 3.0.0.0 - SDK 10.9 [Support]

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.15 [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        Silverlight: Version: 5.1.40416.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

        Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.8 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.15 [Support]

        JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 15.0.1 - SDK 10.11 Check version

     

    Safari Extensions:

        1Password

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        Flash Player  [Support]

        Yamaha Steinberg USB  [Support]

     

    Time Machine:

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

        Mobile backups: OFF

        Auto backup: YES

        Volumes being backed up:

            iMac: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 471.23 GB

            orange drive: Disk size: 999.86 GB Disk used: 923.95 GB

        Destinations:

            Tilt video drive [Local]

            Total size: 4.00 TB

            Total number of backups: 24

            Oldest backup: 2014-10-29, 2:04 PM

            Last backup: 2015-04-16, 12:27 PM

            Size of backup disk: Too small

                Backup size 4.00 TB < (Disk used 1.40 TB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

             6%    WindowServer

             3%    Messages

             1%    kernel_task

             1%    fontd

             0%    Adobe Photoshop CC 2015

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        942 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(6)

        845 MB    kernel_task

        672 MB    Adobe InDesign CC 2015

        303 MB    Mail

        279 MB    mds_stores

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        752 MB    Free RAM

        7.26 GB    Used RAM (1.90 GB Cached)

        146 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information:

        Jan 28, 2016, 03:24:46 AM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-01-28-032446_[redact ed].crash

            /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/XPCServices/com.apple.dock.extra .xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.dock.extra

        Jan 26, 2016, 05:48:02 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Adobe InDesign CC 2015_2016-01-26-174802_[redacted].crash

            /Applications/Adobe InDesign CC 2015/Adobe InDesign CC 2015.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe InDesign CC 2015

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jan 29, 2016 2:02 PM in response to JoniTilt
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 29, 2016 2:02 PM in response to JoniTilt

    It is a 27" mid 2010 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7, with 8 gigs memory. I do a lot of graphic stuff so am usually working with the Adobe apps, Word, Numbers, and web browsers.  I just am not clear on why it works fine most of the time but then has these big lags.

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        752 MB    Free RAM

        7.26 GB    Used RAM (1.90 GB Cached)

        146 MB    Swap Used

     

    You are running out of memory (1.90 GB Cached). For what you are doing, you should max out the ram on your machine.  I do not see from the information provided, the 30 minute boot is caused by the minimal memory.  8gig is minimal for El Capitan. Apple claims 2 which is ridiculous.

     

    Not sure if I would go higher until you understand why it takes so long to boot.  You should move to 16gig of memory.  .Or more if you can afford it.

     

    Get your memory from crucial or owc.

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2010/DDR3_21.5_27

     

    I don't see anything obvious to cause a 30 minute boot.

     

    When did this start to happen?

     

    Here are some things to try:

     

    You may want to run these "standard" fixes if the problem persists.

     

    1) Check the amount of free space on your harddrive.  You should have a several gigs free.

     

    2) You should run disk utility.   Could be your harddrive is having a senior moment.

          Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility

          a) verify the disk

          b) update your permissions.

     

    3) Try a safe boot.  It could be that one of your start up items has gone on the blink.  This should give an answer to this question.

         Shutdown your machine.  Hold down the shift key.  Poweron.  Wait awhile; wait awhile while you harddrive

         is being checked.

         http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

     

     

    You should look in the console logs to see if there is an obvious error.  More on that after you try the safe boot.

     

    You should run

    /Applications/Utilities/activity monitor

    as earlier as you can see if you can spot something in the boot.  could add activity monitor to your logon items.

     

    R

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 29, 2016 6:13 PM in response to JoniTilt
    Level 6 (19,405 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 29, 2016 6:13 PM in response to JoniTilt

    I suspect the half hour boot and the spinning beach balls maybe from a disk going bad (wild guess).

     

    But first, make sure System Preferences -> Startup Disk has your boot disk selected.  You may need to click on the Padlock in lower left corner and enter your admin password before it will tell you which disk is the selected boot disk.

     

    If no disk is selected, then the Mac is doing a bunch of possible device checks for bootable kernels, including network as well as USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt ports, etc...  And it may need to wait for a probe to timeout before continuing, so if no device is selected, this can introduce a slow boot.

     

    I agree with , that more RAM would be a good idea, as you have paged out memory and a lot of killed apple.com... processes which only happens when memory runs very low.  Crucial.com and MacSales.com are well respected Mac RAM vendors.

     

    I have a Last 2009 27" iMac that I've tricked out with 16GB of RAM and a MacSales.com DataDoubler SSD drive in the DVD drive bay.  It is a very quick and usable system.  But do not let me spend your money.

     

    But back to your slow boot and beach balls.  You have more than enough RAM to boot your system in a timely manor (minutes, not a half hour).  So either something you are starting during boot, or in your account Startup Items is beating your system up, or it is the boot disk itself.

     

    Please take advice, and boot into Safe mode

    <http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564>

    While Safe mode itself is slow, as it loads more conservative drivers, cleans out some kernel caches, and I think it runs a Disk Utility Verify Disk as part of boot, it should still happen in much less than 30 minutes.  The important thing is that Safe mode will not load the 3rd party additions.  So if Safe mode is as slow or slower than normal 30 minute boot, then I would strongly look at the disk.  If it is 5 or 10 minutes and much faster than a normal boot, start looking very closely at all the 3rd party additions you have loading.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jan 30, 2016 10:06 AM in response to JoniTilt
    Level 10 (141,085 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 30, 2016 10:06 AM in response to JoniTilt

    Boot into Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode, and run for a while.  Is the performance any better there?  Reboot normally and see if there's any improvement.