iMac (24 inch, early 2009) freezes and then unfreezes

Thanks. I've included the report from Etrecheck below: I obviously need to free up some RAM!!

EtreCheck version: 2.9.3 (253)

Report generated 2016-02-12 16:06:40

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 6:29

Performance: Below Average

Problem: Beachballing

Description:

iMac (24 inch, early 2009), 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Dup, NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256 Mb - for no apparent reason other than a random mouse click, the computer freezes for anything between a couple of minutes and maybe 15-20 minutes. It then unfreezes and will respond to any clicks made while it has been frozen.

I have started in 'safe' mode and disconnected external peripherals. It's still happening, but perhaps to a slightly lesser degree. The overall response is slow, with simple activities taking a long time. e.g. moving a small folder to a new location took nearly a minute to complete. Ejecting an external disk took a minute to complete etc.

This started when I upgraded to El Capitan and has been getting progressively worse since then.

Hardware Information: ⓘ

iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)

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

iMac - model: iMac9,1

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: ⓘ

NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB

iMac 1920 x 1200

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: about 4 hours

Disk Information: ⓘ

WDC WD6400AAKS-40H2B0 disk0 : (640.14 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 639.28 GB (88.58 GB free) - 5 errors

Drive failure!

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

OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Applications/WD SmartWare/Extras/WD +TURBO Installer.app

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394HP (1.0.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USBHP (1.0.4) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (4.1.50f15) [Support]

[not loaded] com.techsmith.TACC (1.0.2 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[killed] com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist

[killed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.FolderActionsDispatcher.plist

[killed] com.apple.Maps.pushdaemon.plist

[killed] com.apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.Service.plist

[killed] com.apple.SafariCloudHistoryPushAgent.plist

[killed] com.apple.cloudphotosd.plist

[killed] com.apple.cmfsyncagent.plist

[killed] com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist

[killed] com.apple.coreservices.uiagent.plist

[killed] com.apple.gamed.plist

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

[killed] com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesagent.plist

[killed] com.apple.pbs.plist

[killed] com.apple.printtool.agent.plist

[killed] com.apple.quicklook.plist

[killed] com.apple.recentsd.plist

[killed] com.apple.reversetemplated.plist

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

[killed] com.apple.secinitd.plist

[killed] com.apple.spindump_agent.plist

[killed] com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd.plist

[loaded] 162 Apple tasks

[running] 51 Apple tasks

23 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[killed] com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist

[killed] com.apple.GSSCred.plist

[killed] com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity.plist

[killed] com.apple.aslmanager.plist

[killed] com.apple.audio.systemsoundserverd.plist

[killed] com.apple.awdd.plist

[killed] com.apple.cache_delete.plist

[killed] com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesagent.plist

[killed] com.apple.iconservices.iconservicesd.plist

[killed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist

[killed] com.apple.installd.plist

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

[killed] com.apple.secinitd.plist

[killed] com.apple.spindump.plist

[killed] com.apple.tccd.system.plist

[killed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist

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

[loaded] 196 Apple tasks

[running] 74 Apple tasks

17 processes killed due to insufficient RAM

Launch Agents: ⓘ

[running] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

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

[running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

apple-scc-20151102-162955 UNKNOWN (missing value)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000004.Microsoft Word

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000007.EtreCheck

[running] com.getdropbox.dropbox.99872

[loaded] com.microsoft.Word.70112

[running] com.microsoft.autoupdate.fba.107552

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

LogMeInSafari64: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 5.1 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.1.0.24 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.40416.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.306 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.306 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.9 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Save to Pocket

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Support]

MyBusinessWorks [Support]

Perian [Support]

Trusteer Endpoint Protection [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 639.28 GB Disk used: 550.70 GB

Destinations:

My Book [Local]

Total size: 999.37 GB

Total number of backups: 38

Oldest backup: 27/11/2015, 16:09

Last backup: 12/02/2016, 10:30

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 999.37 GB < (Disk used 550.70 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

9% mds_stores

4% WindowServer

2% kernel_task

1% mdworker(11)

1% ps

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

481 MB kernel_task

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

315 MB mdworker(11)

160 MB Safari

147 MB Mail

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

66 MB Free RAM

4.18 GB Used RAM (825 MB Cached)

45 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Feb 12, 2016, 11:55:19 AM Self test - passed

Jan 21, 2016, 11:45:41 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-21-114541_[redacted].panic [Details]

Having said that I obviously need to free up some RAM I opened Activity Monitor. However with only Activity Monitor running I am using 2.84 Gb out of the 4Gb RAM. Seems very inefficient to me.

Thanks very much Duane - I wondered if it might be something serious!! I've just called my local Apple re-seller and they have told me that Apple will not supply a hard drive for that iMac because of its age. Would I get a hard drive elsewhere?

By the way I have Time Machine running and have a backup on a WD disk.

Good morning Allan, (I'm in UK)

Thanks for the help with this. I have uninstalled Rapport and removed the WD software. The new report doesn't look as bad, although i don't understand it. The line that does look odd to me is the one about the backup disk being too small. What does the next part mean when it states there are "Disk used 550.65 GB X 3" disks to backup?

Anyway here is the report.

EtreCheck version: 2.9.3 (253)

Report generated 2016-02-13 08:23:04

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 6:22

Performance: Below Average

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

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

Problem: Beachballing

Description:

As before

Hardware Information: ⓘ

iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)

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

iMac - model: iMac9,1

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: ⓘ

NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB

iMac 1920 x 1200

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: less than an hour

Disk Information: ⓘ

WDC WD6400AAKS-40H2B0 disk0 : (640.14 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 639.28 GB (88.62 GB free)

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

OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Western Digital My Book 1110 999.5 GB

disk1s1 (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 32 KB

My Book (disk1s3) /Volumes/My Book : 999.37 GB (343.85 GB free)

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Applications/WD SmartWare/Extras/WD +TURBO Installer.app

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394HP (1.0.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USBHP (1.0.4) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (4.1.50f15) [Support]

[not loaded] com.techsmith.TACC (1.0.2 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] 170 Apple tasks

[running] 66 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] 201 Apple tasks

[running] 86 Apple tasks

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

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

User Login Items: ⓘ

apple-scc-20151102-162955 UNKNOWN (missing value)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.etresoft.EtreCheck.653472

[running] com.getdropbox.dropbox.99872

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

LogMeInSafari64: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 5.1 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.1.0.24 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.40416.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.306 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.306 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.586 [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.9 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Save to Pocket

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Support]

MyBusinessWorks [Support]

Perian [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 639.28 GB Disk used: 550.65 GB

Destinations:

My Book [Local]

Total size: 999.37 GB

Total number of backups: 33

Oldest backup: 27/11/2015, 16:09

Last backup: 13/02/2016, 07:57

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 999.37 GB < (Disk used 550.65 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

7% mds_stores

5% WindowServer

2% kernel_task

1% ps

1% Dock

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

373 MB kernel_task

332 MB mdworker(10)

86 MB Dropbox

86 MB mds_stores

82 MB Finder

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

106 MB Free RAM

4.15 GB Used RAM (861 MB Cached)

2 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Feb 13, 2016, 08:06:11 AM Self test - passed

Jan 21, 2016, 11:45:41 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-21-114541_[redacted].panic [Details]

Thanks Duane, I hope I don't have to go down that route!

So I really need a 2Tb backup disk for this machine. That's a good thing to know for now and for any future purchase. Thanks again

Thanks for your help. The iMac is being diagnosed by an expert and for a new drive if required, as i expect it does.