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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Random Disk Activity Disconcerting
PeachLaser - May 30, 2005 - 9:31 am
We have an iMac running System 9.2. Possibly once every 3-4 minutes, the computer freezes due to disk activity. I thought it might be the disk being indexed, but it says that the last time it was indexed was 3 years ago. I have checked all Extensions and Control Panels for things that would cause such disk activity and have not found anything. It is very annoying because you can be typing away and it starts right in the middle of this and you have to sit and wait. Have run Norton Disk Doctor and NAV and still nothing seems to stop it.
Cheryl - Jun 1, 2005 - 7:19 pm
Earl,
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
Does this happen when you also have other programs running or just one program? Does this happen only while you are typing or while you are reading a web page or email also? What program are you using when this happens?
How much memory do you have installed on the iMac? To find out, just go to the Apple Menu and select About This Mac. The window that opens will tell you what exact OS you are using, and how much memory is installed.
The first thing is to check to see what is starting up with the system. Go to the hard drive>system folder>Startup Items. What is listed in there?
Next, restart the computer and immediately hold down the option and the apple keys. Continue to hold down those keys until you get a dialog box asking if you wish to do a desktop rebuild. This will come up after the extension icons load at the bottom of the screen. When it comes up, release the keys and click on the okay button.
After it is done, give the computer a test run and let me know if the problem is still there.
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Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
Does this happen when you also have other programs running or just one program? Does this happen only while you are typing or while you are reading a web page or email also? What program are you using when this happens?
How much memory do you have installed on the iMac? To find out, just go to the Apple Menu and select About This Mac. The window that opens will tell you what exact OS you are using, and how much memory is installed.
The first thing is to check to see what is starting up with the system. Go to the hard drive>system folder>Startup Items. What is listed in there?
Next, restart the computer and immediately hold down the option and the apple keys. Continue to hold down those keys until you get a dialog box asking if you wish to do a desktop rebuild. This will come up after the extension icons load at the bottom of the screen. When it comes up, release the keys and click on the okay button.
After it is done, give the computer a test run and let me know if the problem is still there.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
PeachLaser - Jun 1, 2005 - 8:55 pm
Hi Cheryl,
The iMac has 640 MB RAM, 641 Virtual Memory. OS 9.2.2
This happens when you are in an application like PhotoShop, InDesign, FileMaker or just sitting idle. We have rebuilt the desktop, zapped the PRAM, run Norton Disk Doctor, Disk First Aid, run without Extensions, optimized the disk and it still happens. I have not been able to find a pattern.
Thanks for your assistance.
The iMac has 640 MB RAM, 641 Virtual Memory. OS 9.2.2
This happens when you are in an application like PhotoShop, InDesign, FileMaker or just sitting idle. We have rebuilt the desktop, zapped the PRAM, run Norton Disk Doctor, Disk First Aid, run without Extensions, optimized the disk and it still happens. I have not been able to find a pattern.
Thanks for your assistance.
Cheryl - Jun 1, 2005 - 9:09 pm
Earl,
Have you allocated more memory for Photoshop, etc.
To do this, quit the program. Now click once on the Photoshop main icon. Go to the File menu and select Get Info.
When the window opens, at the very bottom is minimum memory, suggested memory and preferred memory. Your preferred memory should be more than the suggested memory - especially for Photoshop. I suggest you add 2,000 more to the number that is already there. Just click in the box of Preferred Memory and type in the number.
Close the window and give Photoshop a try out.
If this corrects the problem, do the same with the other programs that are causing grief.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Have you allocated more memory for Photoshop, etc.
To do this, quit the program. Now click once on the Photoshop main icon. Go to the File menu and select Get Info.
When the window opens, at the very bottom is minimum memory, suggested memory and preferred memory. Your preferred memory should be more than the suggested memory - especially for Photoshop. I suggest you add 2,000 more to the number that is already there. Just click in the box of Preferred Memory and type in the number.
Close the window and give Photoshop a try out.
If this corrects the problem, do the same with the other programs that are causing grief.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Cheryl - Jun 7, 2005 - 8:00 pm
Earl,
I have another idea to possibly correct your problem.
Go to the Memory Control Panel and under Virtual Memory allocate more memory. Virtual Memory uses the unused space on your hard drive as temporary memory. If you allow more to be used, you should not get those freezes.
I suggest upping the virtual memory to 768 MB.
Now give the computer a try out.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I have another idea to possibly correct your problem.
Go to the Memory Control Panel and under Virtual Memory allocate more memory. Virtual Memory uses the unused space on your hard drive as temporary memory. If you allow more to be used, you should not get those freezes.
I suggest upping the virtual memory to 768 MB.
Now give the computer a try out.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
PeachLaser - Jun 11, 2005 - 10:30 am
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for your assistance. I upped the virtual memory, restarted and it has been running now for several days without any improvement. I thought that was a good suggestion, but it did not help.
We use FileMaker a lot and FM has an autosave function that works durlng idle times. It almost is like that but happens in all applications and does not wait for an idle time, it does it whenever it wants. This computer is a holdout from going to OSX because we have a full complement of applications that work and don't want to go through the expense and time of upgrading.
Thanks for your assistance. I upped the virtual memory, restarted and it has been running now for several days without any improvement. I thought that was a good suggestion, but it did not help.
We use FileMaker a lot and FM has an autosave function that works durlng idle times. It almost is like that but happens in all applications and does not wait for an idle time, it does it whenever it wants. This computer is a holdout from going to OSX because we have a full complement of applications that work and don't want to go through the expense and time of upgrading.
Cheryl - Jun 11, 2005 - 2:06 pm
Earl,
Exactly what model iMac is it? If you are unsure, go to the Apple menu About This Mac. This will show the processor speed and whether it is a G 3 or a G4.
You might need a firmware update. With your exact model I can do a bit more extensive search to correct the problem.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Exactly what model iMac is it? If you are unsure, go to the Apple menu About This Mac. This will show the processor speed and whether it is a G 3 or a G4.
You might need a firmware update. With your exact model I can do a bit more extensive search to correct the problem.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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