iMac running slow
I've just installed Panther on my iMac (266 Mhz, 6GB, 288M RAM).
Most of the time things are really s - l - o - w. I am running low on disk space, it's down to about 700MB at boot-up, but when I'm running several programs (including Word 2004, IE 5.2, Mail), there's only 225M left. Every now and then the system sends an alert saying that disk space is low.
Should I
a) get a bigger disk
b) turn off disk journalling. I notice that is an option on Disk Aid.
or
c) just buy a faster mac.
Most of the time things are really s - l - o - w. I am running low on disk space, it's down to about 700MB at boot-up, but when I'm running several programs (including Word 2004, IE 5.2, Mail), there's only 225M left. Every now and then the system sends an alert saying that disk space is low.
Should I
a) get a bigger disk
b) turn off disk journalling. I notice that is an option on Disk Aid.
or
c) just buy a faster mac.
Comments
If you have some available funds, I would recommend upgrading to a Macmini, or check on the refurb eMacs on Apple's website. I believe there is a 1.25GHz eMac with a combo drive for $650. Make sure to upgrade the RAM to 512 and you'll be set.
Good luck!
Mike
My imac is running slow as well, dreaded spinning ball! Can anyone help me please?
My information is as follows:-
EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)
Report generated 22 August 2014 22:04:07 GMT+01:00
Hardware Information: ?
iMac (24-inch Mid 2007) (Verified)
iMac - model: iMac7,1
1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores
1 GB RAM
Video Information: ?
ATI,RadeonHD2600 - VRAM: 256 MB
iMac 1920 x 1200
spdisplays_display_connector
System Software: ?
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Uptime: 0 days 3:12:9
Disk Information: ?
WDC WD3200AAJS-40RYA0 disk0 : (298.09 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
- (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 297.77 GB (198.5 GB free)
USB Information: ?
Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub
Microsoft Microsoft 5-Button Mouse with IntelliEye(TM)
Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard
Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
Lexmark Lexmark 6200 Series
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Firewire Information: ?
LaCie d2 quadra (button) 800mbit - 800mbit max
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
- (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 32 KB
- (disk1s2) <not mounted>: 64 KB
- (disk1s3) <not mounted>: 64 KB
- (disk1s4) <not mounted>: 112 KB
LaCie (disk1s6) /Volumes/LaCie: 465.76 GB (63.62 GB free)
Kernel Extensions: ?
[loaded] com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftMouse (7.0.0) Support
[not loaded] com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftMouseBluetooth (7.0.0) Support
[loaded] com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftMouseUSB (7.0.0) Support
Launch Daemons: ?
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[running] com.freemacsoft.appcleanerd.plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support
Launch Agents: ?
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
User Launch Agents: ?
[running] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist Support
[failed] com.tastyapps.SpiceRack.plist Support
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist Support
[failed] ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist Support
User Login Items: ?
GrowlHelperApp
iTunesHelper
SpeechSynthesisServer
MicrosoftMouseHelper
GrowlMenu
GrowlMenu
Flux
EvernoteHelper
AppCleaner Helper
EvernoteHelper
Internet Plug-ins: ?
DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.6.0r626 Support
AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1017277: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 Support
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 Support
Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 Support
AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1016264: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 Support
npBTEmailConfig: Version: 1.0 Support
NP2020Player: Version: 5.0.4.0 Support
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support
RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) Support
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version
Safari Extensions: ?
InvisibleHand-1
Amazon Prime-FREE Shipping + Discount Search
Ookong- Amazon price history & more
AdBlock (Update available)
Bing Highlights
SaveFrom.net helper
iTunes Plug-ins: ?
Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.2
3rd Party Preference Panes: ?
Flash Player Support
Flip4Mac WMV Support
Growl Support
Microsoft Mouse Support
Time Machine: ?
Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.
Top Processes by CPU: ?
1% WindowServer
0% SystemUIServer
0% fontd
0% usbmuxd
Top Processes by Memory: ?
215 MB WebProcess
174 MB Safari
51 MB WindowServer
38 MB MacKeeper Helper
28 MB Finder
Virtual Memory Information: ?
32 MB Free RAM
581 MB Active RAM
272 MB Inactive RAM
138 MB Wired RAM
298 MB Page-ins
56 MB Page-outs
1GB of RAM isn't a very large amount to have for a modern OS. It only has 32MB listed free there. When you run out of RAM, it will start moving data on and off of the hard drive, which is very slow. It's also a 7 year old machine and hard drives only have an average 5-6 year lifespan. You are only using about 100GB on the internal which is good so try to make sure that's backed up in case it's failing.
You can get a 4GB memory upgrade here:
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-memory-for/Apple/imac-2*4ghz-intel-core-2-duo-(24-inch)
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+RAM+Replacement/4753
You also have a Mackeeper program installed, you can check if that's running an antivirus scan and slowing the computer down:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3021
Thanks for you're reply! Is it easy to install? I have looked at the links you mentioned and it looks fairly easy (time will tell!!)
I have ordered two x two GB hoping that I would be able to do myself. Can you please explain the following:
It states that my iMac has two slots to accommodate one 2GB in each
Will the 1GB memory that the iMac currently has need to be removed or are there two extra slots available to accommodate the ordered 4GB?
Hope this makes sense!
Appreciate your help with this
Your iMac will probably have 2x 512MB chips in it. It only has two slots total so you'd take out all the memory already installed. Hold onto the ones you take out in case you need to put them back in, you can keep them in the packaging the new memory comes in.
It's fairly easy to install. Taking the chips out is easier as there are levers. You sometimes have to apply a bit of pressure to get new ones to go in properly. Make sure to turn off the computer, unplug it and with the iMac, it helps to tip it over flat on a cloth, screen facing down and install that way.
Marvin,
Many thanks for your help and excellent advice!
4GB fitted without any problems and good to go!!
Awesome thanks again.
Humble
Hi, I now have 4GB...is it wise to download Yosemite as this computer is over 7 years old?
Thanks
Humble
Systems newer than 10.9 have compressed memory so you may even find that memory performance improves if you are upgrading from before 10.9:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9/17/
In the test at that site, 16GB of physical memory behaved like 24GB. It's a good idea to test new systems before installing though because sometimes they change a lot of things. At the very least, I would make a cloned backup or Time Machine backup first. You can do this with a cheap backup drive like the following:
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Expansion-Portable-External-STBX500100/dp/B00834SJSK
Cloned backups with Superduper or Carbon Copy Cloner are easy to put back. I don't expect you'll have any problems with Yosemite but it's a good idea to a backup of some sort that you update before installation.
Marvin thankyou, excellent advice....as always!
Yosemite up and running perfectly and its awesome.......