I-Mac running slow -- very slow

macrojack · « **on:** 22 Dec 2008, 01:50 am »

My son's computer is the only Apple in the house. It is connected by wire and /or by wireless to a router at my desk. My Dell is behaving normally but his Mac acts very sluggish as if it has spyware or a virus.

I have no Mac experience and I've always heard that there are virtually no infections out there for an Apple computer.

Can anyone suggest how to figure this out and fix it?

low.pfile · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 02:02 am »

It's probably time for some clean up.

I'd start with applejack http://applejack.sourceforge.net/

It' repairs file permissions, cleans cache, repairs disk, etc. It's fast and easy(automatic) and free.

Also, you might want to run the "Activity monitor" app (part of the OS X) when the system is running to see if a particular application is hogging the resources.

ed

yooper · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 02:12 am »

I would also suggest Yasu http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21674

If your son isn't in the habit of running maintenance tasks (running scripts, repairing permissions etc.) on a somewhat regular basis, Yasu works very well and is easy to use.

Yasu is shareware, but free if you deal with the nag screen for the first 5-10 seconds or so.

If you don't want to deal with downloading and installing software off the bat, open finder (bottom left smiley face)-go to applications-open utilities-double click disc utility-choose your disc, then repair permissions and restart computer.

*EDIT* Is the "running slow" issue only internet related, or system wide?

Mark

macrojack · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 03:43 am »

Thank you, gentleman. I passed your suggestions along and Dewey is busy trying to make them work.

Toka · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 06:02 am »

Good suggestions above.

Quick question...is the computer turned off every night? If so, that may be part of the problem...Mac's are designed to run maintenance tasks "overnight" (I forget what time exactly...3-4 AM or so), automatically...if the computer is turned off every day and the tasks are not run automatically, they will not happen.

planet10 · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 07:01 am »

What iMac, what OS, how much RAM & how much disk?

Titainium Onyx is also another good free clean-up utility. Also check the amount of free disk space... if it is close to full (less than 5 GB, or has been run right up against the limit, you are running out of swap space (also check to see how many aps are running). iDefrag (not free to do anything but look) is invaluable to defrag.

dave

macrojack · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 07:15 pm »

Imac G-5 with OSX Tiger. He has a gig of memory and an operating speed of 2.0. Not sure about HD size. He thinks it is 250.

He does shut it down overnight so the suggestion to leave it running could help a lot.

He's 18 and knows his way around computers better than I do but was perplexed to find himself so bogged down. Since I don't know my ass from my elbow on the topic, I figured I'd ask you guys.

It's behaving a bit better today and we are hopeful that it will be much better tomorrow.

orthobiz · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Dec 2008, 12:14 am »

I agree about hard disk space (or lack thereof). My friend's wife's computer had so many family photos on it that I couldn't even load a program to make a backup. She couldn't even load a picture in an e-mail!

Also, make sure only one copy of all music in only one iTunes folder. Duplicates can waste space and cause confusion.

Finally, get DiskWarrior. It is a one-trick pony that will clear up the computer's directory. The directory tells the computer where everything is. I tell people if you have to buy just one utility for the Mac, DiskWarrior is it. Run it and I'll just betcha things are back to normal.

Paul