My iMac makes a loud ding ding noise

EtreCheck version: 5.0.6 (5A017)

Report generated: 2018-10-23 11:29:52

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Runtime: 2:45

Performance: Good

Problem: Other problem

Major Issues: None

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.

Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. They appear to be legitimate but should be reviewed.

32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps that may have problems in the future.

Hardware Information:

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)

iMac Model: iMac14,2

1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-4570) CPU: 4-core

8 GB RAM - Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600 ok

BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600 ok

BANK 0/DIMM1 - Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1 - Empty

Video Information:

NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M - VRAM: 1024 MB

iMac 2560 x 1440

Drives:

disk0 - APPLE HDD ST1000DM003 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 7200 RPM)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 [Core Storage Container] 999.35 GB

disk1 - Macintosh HD (Journaled HFS+) 999.01 GB (83.39 GB used)

disk0s3 - Recovery HD (Mac OS Extended) [Recovery] 650 MB

disk3 - WD Ext HDD 1021 1.00 TB

External USB 480 Mbit/s USB

disk3s1 - E******s (MS-DOS FAT12) 1.00 TB (529.81 GB used)

Mounted Volumes:

disk1 - Macintosh HD 999.01 GB (915.35 GB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /

disk3s1 - E******s 1.00 TB (470.39 GB free)

MS-DOS FAT12

Mount point: /Volumes/E******s

Network:

Interface en0: Ethernet

Interface en1: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Interface en4: Bluetooth PAN

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

Interface en5: TomTom

Interface en6: iPhone

iCloud Quota: 40.45 GB available

System Software:

macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 (17G65)

Time since boot: Less than an hour

Security:

Unsigned Files:

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.seagate.TBDecorator.plist

Executable: /Library/Application Support/Seagate/TBLoopDriveParams

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

32-bit Applications:

3 32-bit apps

Kernel Extensions:

/Library/Application Support/Malwarebytes/MBAM/Kext

[Not Loaded] MB_MBAM_Protection.kext (Malwarebytes Corporation, 3.4 - SDK 10.13)

/Library/Extensions

[Loaded] Seagate Storage Driver.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4)

/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[Not Loaded] SeagateLeafPowSecDriver_10_4.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4)

[Loaded] SeagateLeafPowSecDriver_10_5.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.5)

[Not Loaded] SeagateDriveIcons.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.7 (26999) - SDK 10.4)

/System/Library/Extensions

[Not Loaded] UsbEthernetGadget.kext (1.0.0d1)

System Launch Agents:

System Launch Daemons:

Launch Daemons:

User Login Items:

Solar Service.app (App Store - installed 2016-04-19)

(~/Library/Application Support/Logitech/SolarService/Solar Service.app)

Solar Service (App Store - installed 2016-04-19)

(~/Library/Application Support/Logitech/SolarService/Solar Service.app/Contents/MacOS/Solar Service)

Internet Plug-ins:

JavaAppletPlugin: 15.0.1 (installed 2015-11-05)

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2018-07-22)

EPPEX Plugin: 10.0 (installed 2016-08-27)

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Seagate Dashboard for Mac OSX (installed 2016-10-27)

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: No

Mobile backups: No

Auto backup: Yes

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.01 GB - Disk used: 83.66 GB

Destinations:

S***********************e [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 999.86 GB

Total number of backups: 105

Oldest backup: 2015-10-23 15:54:35

Last backup: 2018-10-23 11:26:19

Performance:

System Load: 1.99 (1 min ago) 1.72 (5 min ago) 0.95 (15 min ago)

Nominal I/O speed: 7.25 MB/s

File system: 23.35 seconds

Write speed: 184 MB/s

Read speed: 195 MB/s

CPU Usage:

Top Processes by CPU:

Top Processes by Memory:

Top Processes by Network Use:

Virtual Memory Information:

Software Installs (past 30 days):

Diagnostics Information (past 7 days):

End of report

Hello dwb since our last communication things have been going well and I felt confident to download Mojave as my system seemed stable enough. This may be just a coincidence but I tried the Original User after downloading Mojave. I was checking some photographs and to my dismay the dinging came back and menus flashed every time I tried to do something. As usual by pressing any key the dinging stopped. I tentatively changed user to the new one and everything settled down. Now I am nervous about the fault coming back on the new user. I will wait a couple more days to see if this happens. I won't go back to the original user during those few days.

Hi DWB thank you so much for your reply. I am afraid I only downloaded these virus programmes (they are on trial) just two days ago. I did this because whilst I was playing Solitaire during lunch, all the cards started flashing with the reverse picture of the card on top of the card. There was no dinging noise when this happened Weird. I thought this must be a virus. I tried other card games but they were all flashing I obviously came out of the programme. This programme has been working fine for a few weeks.

I have removed Intego and CleanMyMac. Got a bit paranoid after reading that Mac's did need anti virus software after all although I have managed all these years without one. The dinging has been going on for a few weeks now I am still trying to solve it by reading as much as I can. Thanks

Hello and thank you so much for your reply. In my question I did mention that I had removed a wireless keyboard away from my iMac. Yes I have changed my keyboard but my wireless keyboard had died (very old) now I have a USB keyboard. Thanks for your help

Hello dwb and thanks for your suggestion and instructions, very grateful. Well I created a new account and logged out of my old account. Yesterday I had no dinging. Will use the new account today just to make sure that the dinging does not reappear and let you know.

Hello dwb could I ask your advice please. I went into my old User Account just to see if anything had changed with the problem I had. It behaved in a way I have never seen in the five years I have had my iMac. No dinging but the cursor had a mind of its own and I had some stickies on the desktop and the cursor just went from the bottom to the top of the stickie and then proceeded through all the menu files at the top and went backwards and forwards continuously. It stopped when I pressed a key on the keyboard. Do you think this is a virus? Do you think I now need virus software. I know you may not be in a position to suggest one.

Also I would like some help moving my files etc to the New User. I am very grateful that you are taking the time to help me. Thank you

Really sorry to bother you again. I am worried now. Everything has been working fine as a new User. Went into my photographs and the photos would not stop flashing on the screen The computer was flashing through the whole lot without me pressing a thing. I managed to stop them but nothing else worked very well. Went into my emails and cursor would not acknowledge the "updates" tab. Cursor was flashing (it doesn't normally). Even typing this message my cursor started going backward on each character of text. I pressed any key to stop it and managed to bring it back to where I was. At the beginning of the ding dinging I could not put my iMac into safe mode nor could I use Time Machine by pressing CMD and R to get a date to bring my computer back to where the ding dinging started (about two months ago and it has increased) I am at a loss now and really worried. Gone through my Application menu to see if there is a dodgy programme. I cannot see any. Is this really the end now!

Thank you so much for your patience. The software I downloaded has all been removed via The Library, Launch Agents, Launch Demons. I have not moved anything around. I have not even downloaded Mojave yet. I have checked Applications and there does not seem to be anything untoward. Today My Home page Google disappeared and I have to "search or enter website name". I went to the status bar and pressed "File" and it just flashed on for a second and then off and I cannot get anything listed in the File Tab or any other tab. Could not even restart or shut down. Now it is back to normal. The only pattern I have been able to see is that some times when I have left my computer and I have something in the dock that I have minimised the problem can start then but not always. It is so strange. I am wondering whether to get a Mac Technician to take a look. I am an artist so use the web a lot. It is disrupting my work.

I recently changed my wireless keyboard (battery went, it was years old) to an Apple reconditioned one. it is USB connected. I have my back up hard drive which is the Seagate and Elements hard drive for photos and files. These have been connected for years. The new keyboard is only weeks old but my problem has been months old so I did not suspect the keyboard and thats it, just three things connected via USB. My Apple Mouse is wireless. Regards

Trudy

Hello dwb, thanks again for your help. I have done what you said above, turned off Bluetooth and changed my mouse to a USB one which I happen to have. I will give it a day at least to see how we go. I have not had any dinging for a few days now but have had odd things happen as explained previously. Shall I still keep using the New User or shall I use the USB Mouse on the original User. Just to check I am doing things right. Regards Trudy

Sorry for message above I was told my Post Limit was reached and my message was automatically sent.

Anyway Iooks like I am now back to square one. Both old and new Users have the problems now. I now think my iMac is dying!!! You have been so helpful though and I guess you have tried everything! Regards