Mac Hardware issue?

[qmh917]

Okay, so for the past three months or so my iMac has not been lasting a long time turned on. I can only run one program at once (usually safari) without the spinning wheel of death coming. I've noticed that as soon as I open another program like iTunes, my computer cannot handle it, and freezes. Its become such a bother, and i am forced to shut my computer off. Then once i go back to turn it on, it doesn't. Instead of the apple logo appearing, i get the folder with a question mark on it. I usually have to wait about a half an hour before i can turn my mac back on successfully.

I can't pinpoint the issue and i have been trying to do so for very long.

Recently it has actually been full on freezing to the point where the clock stops changing time, usually it just has the spinning wheel of death and won't go away. I have tried so many different things, so advice would be very much appreciated!

Sorry if i'm not posting this is the correct area...

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

Unfortunately, those symptoms sound like a failing HD.

To troubleshoot further, let us know the exact model of iMac, the version of Mac OS X you are running, and any other issues you are having.

C

 

[qmh917]

I have OS Z 10.8
Processor- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory- 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

I got this mac in early 2008 as well

 

[Cory Cooper]

-Did you purchase AppleCare (even though coverage would have ended last year)? If so, there is a disc in the box that will have TechTool Deluxe on it that you can boot to and run Disk Utility to check the HD.
-Do you have any other third-party utilities like DiskWarrior, Drive Genius?
-Have you ever gotten a series of beeps at startup?

C

 

[qmh917]

I didn't get apple care... (stupid decision) and i don't have any of those third party utilities, and i have also never gotten any beeps upon start up.

This is just another question, but if i were to backup my important files onto a external hard drive... and wiped my computer, do you think that might be successful in fixing the problem?

 

[Cory Cooper]

Yes, if you can get your files backed up and do a complete reformat and install, it is possible that it could correct issue. However, if the drive is indeed failing, after your backup, you may not be able to erase and reinstall. In that case, you would need to get the HD replaced.

I recommend getting any files you really need backed up to an external as soon as possible. Then you can proceed.

C