iMac running slow

Posted:
in macOS edited April 2015
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.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    If you havent done already, use delocalizer http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/9281 to get rid of language kits and then go delete a whole swag of unused printer drivers in your library folder.. those two things will free up approx 700mb giving you a little extra breathing room while you decide what to do
  • Reply 2 of 11
    relicrelic Posts: 4,735member
    Wow, and I thought my G5 was on the poky side. I mean geesh man my cell has more power. I'm kidding I understand finances for a lot people are pretty tight right now. There is an upgrade for your iMac go here, it's a Motorola G4 7400 @ 466 MHz, 1 Mb L2 Cache. I would also loose OSX and install Yellow Dog Linux. With these two things your iMac will be reborn.
  • Reply 3 of 11
    well, I'm not an expert, but I can tell you that there are 3 major problems with your setup. Your hard drive free space, the processor speed, and the amount of RAM on your machine. So pretty much everything needs to be upgraded. Turning off disk journaling will not create a significant speed increase.



    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
  • Reply 4 of 11

    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

     

  • Reply 5 of 11
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    humbledoor wrote: »
    My imac is running slow as well, dreaded spinning ball! Can anyone help me please?

    My information is as follows:-

    <p style="color:#fb0018;font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    1 GB RAM</p>

    <p style="font:12px 'Lucida Grande';margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">User Launch Agents: ?</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    [running]    com.amazon.cloud-player.plist Support</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    [failed]    com.tastyapps.SpiceRack.plist Support</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    [running]    com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist Support</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    [failed]    ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist Support</p>

    <p style="font:12px Times;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;min-height:14px;"> </p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    32 MB    Free RAM</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    581 MB    Active RAM</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    272 MB    Inactive RAM</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    138 MB    Wired RAM</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    298 MB    Page-ins</p>

    <p style="font:12px Helvetica;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;">    56 MB    Page-outs</p>

    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
  • Reply 6 of 11

    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

  • Reply 7 of 11
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    humbledoor wrote: »
    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.
  • Reply 8 of 11

    Marvin,

     

    Many thanks for your help and excellent advice!

     

    4GB fitted without any problems and good to go!!

     

    Awesome thanks again.

     

    Humble

  • Reply 9 of 11

    Hi, I now have 4GB...is it wise to download Yosemite as this computer is over 7 years old?

     

    Thanks

     

    Humble

  • Reply 10 of 11
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    humbledoor wrote: »
    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.
  • Reply 11 of 11

    Marvin thankyou, excellent advice....as always!

     

    Yosemite up and running perfectly and its awesome.......:D

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