Slow, slow, then freeze.

[cbeal]

The last week or so my iMac 10.8.5 runs normally, then slow, normal, slow, slower, freezes. I have to hard boot and we go through the process again. I get maybe an hour before the freeze. Am I prime for a crash?

 

[honestone]

What exact iMac model do you have (you provided the OS you are running under, which is helpful)?

From your description, it would seem that there are "issues" with the internal drive. Have you ever done any disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs? Also, are you making backups to an external device?

 

[cbeal]

I have an iMac from 2007 or so.

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac7,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Bus Speed: 800 MHz

Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.20f4

Serial Number (system): W87309JQX86

Hardware UUID: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-001B6397DA47

I have verified and repaired disc permmisions only. I know of no other way to do any other disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs. I back-up regularly to an external drive.

Thanks for your advice.

Craig

 

[honestone]

OK, that information is helpful.

First, are your backups made via Time Machine?

Secondly, it looks like the RAM has been upgraded from 1 Gig to 4 Gig. Third, assuming it has the original hard drive, that would be a 9 year old 320 Gig 7200 rpm drive. Being 9 years old, that could be the issue.

Now, since you are using OS 10.8.5, and assuming the Recovery HD partition is on the hard drive, you can boot to that partition by holding down the Command and R keys. This link describes what is on that partition:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

You would then select Disk Utility, and it will run more extensive tests on your hard drive. It would be best if you run Repair Disk at both the Volume (ie, top) and Partition (ie, secondary) levels. If Disk Utility tells you there are "major" issues with your hard drive, then you would need to have it replaced.

 

[cbeal]

Yes, I am using Time Machine. Is that OK?

 

[honestone]

Time machine is fine.

Now, assuming you want to remain with the same OS (10.8.5), after you boot your Mac to the Recovery HD partition, and assuming that Disk Utility says things are fine, you should us Disk Utility to Erase and Format the only partition containing the OS and your applications. Then, you would select Reinstall OS X, and as far as I know, that will install the version of OS 10.8.x that is "tied" to the Recovery HD partition. (I would go about this differently). You will wind up with a clean, "virgin" installation of OS 10.8.x. If it is anything less than version 10.8.5, you can download and install the OS 10.8.5 Combo Updater from here:

https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1676?locale=en_US

After the initial installation, you'll be offered the opportunity to "migrate"/copy any needed "stuff" from your Time Machine backup.

 

[cbeal]

I ran Repair Disk and it tells me it appears OK. Should I downoad the 10.8.5 Combo or do I have that?
Thanks

 

[honestone]

Your first post says that you have OS 10.8.5. So, you are good to go with that.

Did you run the Repair Disk "externally", ie, booting to the Recovery HD partition?

 

[Cory Cooper]

Also, how much free space s left on your hard drive?

C