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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Extreme Slowness
cef424 - Feb 22, 2006 - 8:16 pm
For the past several months I have been getting EXTREME hangups on my Mac, especially in Safari although it happens in others like Dreamweaver.
When it "hangs up" I get the spinning rainbow and finally after about a minute it clears and I can continue... Obviously this is a big drag on my productivity and nerves!
Here is some info:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Model: PowerBook G4 17"
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.7.1f1
I am running 10.3.9 and I still have 37 GB HD left.
HELP!
When it "hangs up" I get the spinning rainbow and finally after about a minute it clears and I can continue... Obviously this is a big drag on my productivity and nerves!
Here is some info:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Model: PowerBook G4 17"
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.7.1f1
I am running 10.3.9 and I still have 37 GB HD left.
HELP!
Stuartpau - Feb 23, 2006 - 7:34 pm
I have had some very similar problems to this on my Powerbook,
One of them turned out to be a .mac account and IDisk mounted on my Desktop.
It would take forever for Installers to work and a whole host of applications.
If you have any accounts similar to this then I would make sure that the Idisk or equivalent is only mounted on your Desktop when you really need it. IF you do have an I Disk dismount it and see what happens
IF you do not have this issue then go to the utilities folder and open Disk utility.
Have it check your drive. If the drive appears red then it is beginning to have a hardware failure. You can run Disk First Aid in verify mode but if there is a problem that disk first aid detects you will need to do the following.
You cannot repair your startup disk because it is in use, to run Disk First Aid to repair a drive,
Start up on your current OS Installer CD/DVD by holding the C key down. Once you launch into the Installer, instead of using the Installer, choose the Drive utility which is under The Installer Menu Item. You must use the Drive Utility that comes with the DVD or CD that comes with your current OS Installer. Once you get the utility running first of all repair permissions and then use Disk First aid to Repair your HD. Run it a couple of times.
Drive utility is OK but it is free and there are other drive utilities that work really well. I use Diskwarrior to really test the Drive and have it replace the Old Directory with a new optimized one.
This may cure your problem.
One thing that I have found useful is to be able to duplicate my startup drive, in the event that it turns out that my HD is physically damaged. Remember if there is a software problem on the drive then duplicating it will also duplicate the problem. However if you have to erase your Startup drive or replace it, then you will at least have a copy of all your data.
You can choose to startup on the duplicate drive to test it by going to system preferences whilst the duplicate drive is on your desktop and choose to use it for Startup up.
IF the Problem recurs on the Duplicate copy of your main startup drive then you know you have a software issue on the STARTUP DRIVE.
I use Retrospect to Duplicate my Startup drives but this link will take you to a much less expensive tool to do the same job and more.
http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftwa...&products_id=7
This link leads to CopyCat which duplicates your drive.
Another approach is to use an external Firewire Drive, and install a New OS on that. Boot from that drive and see if your problems go away. I know that some of your applications will not work or at least not properly as they need some files to be installed into the proper folders in OS X on your Startup drive, but at least you will be able to tell if Safari works OK.
There are a a lot of other things that can be done short of erasing and starting over again, but before we get into those let me know how the Disk First Aid and Fixing Permissions worked.
Let me know what happens, and if that does not cure your problem, we will have to move on to other solutions.
One of them turned out to be a .mac account and IDisk mounted on my Desktop.
It would take forever for Installers to work and a whole host of applications.
If you have any accounts similar to this then I would make sure that the Idisk or equivalent is only mounted on your Desktop when you really need it. IF you do have an I Disk dismount it and see what happens
IF you do not have this issue then go to the utilities folder and open Disk utility.
Have it check your drive. If the drive appears red then it is beginning to have a hardware failure. You can run Disk First Aid in verify mode but if there is a problem that disk first aid detects you will need to do the following.
You cannot repair your startup disk because it is in use, to run Disk First Aid to repair a drive,
Start up on your current OS Installer CD/DVD by holding the C key down. Once you launch into the Installer, instead of using the Installer, choose the Drive utility which is under The Installer Menu Item. You must use the Drive Utility that comes with the DVD or CD that comes with your current OS Installer. Once you get the utility running first of all repair permissions and then use Disk First aid to Repair your HD. Run it a couple of times.
Drive utility is OK but it is free and there are other drive utilities that work really well. I use Diskwarrior to really test the Drive and have it replace the Old Directory with a new optimized one.
This may cure your problem.
One thing that I have found useful is to be able to duplicate my startup drive, in the event that it turns out that my HD is physically damaged. Remember if there is a software problem on the drive then duplicating it will also duplicate the problem. However if you have to erase your Startup drive or replace it, then you will at least have a copy of all your data.
You can choose to startup on the duplicate drive to test it by going to system preferences whilst the duplicate drive is on your desktop and choose to use it for Startup up.
IF the Problem recurs on the Duplicate copy of your main startup drive then you know you have a software issue on the STARTUP DRIVE.
I use Retrospect to Duplicate my Startup drives but this link will take you to a much less expensive tool to do the same job and more.
http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftwa...&products_id=7
This link leads to CopyCat which duplicates your drive.
Another approach is to use an external Firewire Drive, and install a New OS on that. Boot from that drive and see if your problems go away. I know that some of your applications will not work or at least not properly as they need some files to be installed into the proper folders in OS X on your Startup drive, but at least you will be able to tell if Safari works OK.
There are a a lot of other things that can be done short of erasing and starting over again, but before we get into those let me know how the Disk First Aid and Fixing Permissions worked.
Let me know what happens, and if that does not cure your problem, we will have to move on to other solutions.
cef424 - Feb 24, 2006 - 9:07 am
Well you are not going to believe this but I fixed it and it wasn't anything major. Since it was mainly in Safari that is was tying up my internal mac tech suggested I turn off Autofill forms from address book in my preferences.
Well THAT DID IT!!! I haven't seen the "beach ball stall" since then except for the normal processing of about 5 seconds.
On another note, I do use Disk Warrior booted from CD to periodically to fix persmissions and check my system.
Thanks for your note.
Carrie.
Well THAT DID IT!!! I haven't seen the "beach ball stall" since then except for the normal processing of about 5 seconds.
On another note, I do use Disk Warrior booted from CD to periodically to fix persmissions and check my system.
Thanks for your note.
Carrie.
Stuartpau - Feb 24, 2006 - 11:00 am
Hi Carrie, that's neat and it is one that I have not actually heard of so I learn't a new trick, always grateful for those.
Good luck and happy Maccing.
Stuart
Good luck and happy Maccing.
Stuart
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