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mschanzer - Nov 2, 2005 - 2:12 pm

My computer seems to lock up with the spinning wheel when attemting simple tasks ie, updating software, accessing system prefs., using disk utility etc. I tried updated pram, and permissions, had to do this from my install disks because I can't use my disk utility. I have spent countless hours trying to find a fix on the internet, which is where I found macosx.com.

I am operating in a power MacPC G4 with 450 mhz, with 384MB ram, boot ROM version 3.2.2f1 in OS10.3.9.

Can You please give me any other options?

Thanks

ishan - Nov 3, 2005 - 10:51 am

Is your Mac on the "offically approved" list for OS X? I don't know, just asking. Assuming it is, with 384 Mb RAM, your system has to consistely page out to disk to process even the simplest commands. You need to up your RAM to 1 GB (it's pretty cheap) and you'll notice a big improvement with few beachballs (unless you're running Photoshop, Indesign, etc.) and general "snappiness" when doing simple things. HTH.

mschanzer - Nov 3, 2005 - 11:03 am

I believe my computer is on the approved list. I know if I get more RAM the performance should improve. My concern is this, I did nothing to cause this problem to occur, it just happened one day. I am not guaranteed that Ram will eliminate this problem. Any other ideas?

ishan - Nov 3, 2005 - 2:08 pm

Yes. Use Yasu (Yet Another System Utility) which is freeware or Onyx and clean out your system and user caches, then reboot. Also try Preferential Treatment (freeware) to check user and system prefs and delete those it finds corrupt (if any). These apps are all available at versiontracker.com and macupdate.com. You might also consider investing in Diskwarrior which fixes a host of problems Disk Utility cannot even diagnose, let along fix. It comes with a bootable startup CD. The software isn't cheap ($79 or so), but it has saved me much time and aggravation in the past. If Diskwarrior finds nothing, your last option is to do an Archive/Install using your original install disks (do _not_ check the box which asks whether you want to keep your prefs files, etc. since that might be part of the problem). After all that, get more RAM! HTH.

mschanzer - Nov 5, 2005 - 10:12 am

I downloaded the freeware as you suggested and installed them. Yasu seems to have done the trick.

Thank you so much! You're my hero1

Can you recommended the Brand/type of Ram and where to purchase? I have 1 X 128 mg SDRAM PC100-2225
and 2 X 128 mg SDRAM PC133-333 the 4th slot is empty.

Also, I need to increase my hard drive size. Do you recommend an additional internal or external drive. Can you recommended the Brand/type of HD and where to purchase?

Are there any other software apps worth downloading?

Thank You for your support.

mschanzer - Nov 5, 2005 - 10:40 am

Also, I have a Plextor Cd-R-W4824A CD-RW and running adaptec Toast 4.1.2. My system profile says disk burning is not supported. What do I have to get to burn cd's on this computer.

ishan - Nov 5, 2005 - 10:48 am

I'm gland things are better. For RAM, you can go to ramseeker.com and compare prices. However, I tend to favor RAM from either crucial.com (has a very easy way to choose the right RAM) or macsales.com (same as OWC, Other World Computing). Crucial provides a lifetime warranty on their RAM, but their prices are a little higher. Do not buy the cheapest RAM around; the problems it can cause are not worth the small cost savings. There are only a few different RAM producers, so it doesn't matter whether it's from Samsung or whatever.

I would probably recommend an external hard drive, because you then have the ability to "clone" your boot drive just in case disaster strikes. I would get a drive which offers both Firewire and USB connections. Macsales.com is a good source; check dealmac.com for specials.

As to your last question, I have no answer. What do you want the software to do

ishan - Nov 5, 2005 - 10:51 am

Forgot about your Plextor drive. It is not supported by 10.3.x. You would have to apply a firmware patch which might require the use of a PC and it just isn't worth it. Supported (and much faster) internal CD/DVD burners are dirt cheap ($40 or so). A new external is about a $100. I like Plextor and have four of them, but you pay a price premium. They just came out with a lower-priced line of CD/DVD burners, though, so take a look at their website, then shop online for the model you want. HTH.

mschanzer - Nov 5, 2005 - 10:57 am

Thanks again. Have a great day.