iMac has gotten too slow!

steelhead · Dec 24, 2009

Dear experts,
My iMac has gotten painfully slow lately -- internet, Word, whatever. Seemed to get worse after I doubled the RAM recently, and dumped a lot of files. (It's OS 10.4.11, 2GHz, 512 MB). I see someone says to check permissions via disc utility, but I can't figure that out. Someone else says to go to Energy Saver, Options, then "Processor performance", but I don't see that menu. OnyX, tho recommended, is evidently only for OS 6 or higher. I'm grateful for any suggestions.

hughvane · Dec 24, 2009

Let's correct some of the erroneous advice for starters:
1. Download Titanium Software and run Onyx. V 1.8.5 is the one you need. Repair permissions and run maintenance scripts.
2. Disk Utility - it should be in Applications > Utilities, but may have been moved - you'll find it. Once open, click the second of the two HD options shown > First Aid > Verify Disk > Repair Disk (if the button shows up after Verifying).
3. You say you "doubled" the RAM. What sort of RAM, and where did you purchase it?

When you "dumped a lot of files", did you empty the Trash afterwards?

There is no "processor performance" in Energy Saver > Options.

Please post the specs of your iMac, that way we can help you more effectively.

steelhead · Dec 25, 2009

slow iMac

Thanks Hughvane. I installed Onyx, used disk utilities etc., didn't seem to help. The upgrade I recently installed was from Crucial, was upgrade for iMAC 2.0GHZ intel core, 1GB 200-PIN DDR SODIMM 128MX64 PC2-5300. (Also ? 4gb usb drive crucial gizmo). Could the new 1GB have caused problems?

Memory now is 512 MB... iMac is iMac7,1, Intel Core 2 Duo... Thanks for any advice. I used to love the speed on this, now I click on Word and go do an errand while waiting for it to open...

baggss · Dec 25, 2009

Running ANY version of OSX with 512Mb or RAM is really not a good idea. 1Gb minimum would be optimal.

steelhead · Dec 25, 2009

Thanks, baggss. Stupid question: how do I boost the RAM? I just bought and installed an extra GB. (That shows up in "Processor: 2 GHz," not in "Memory"?)

hughvane · Dec 25, 2009

Check OWC Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC for the correct RAM for your 7,1 iMac. Why OWC? Because they are Mac specialists, and their prices, whilst not the cheapest, are certainly competitive.

According to Mactracker - get info on any Mac you can go to 4 Gb of 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM. Your iMac will run well on maximum RAM, and, as baggss has pointed out, what you have in the iMac at present is inadequate, Crucial brand is generally well-regarded so I don't think that's the problem.

steelhead · Dec 25, 2009

Thanks again, hughvane. Actually, I just bought (but haven't hooked up) an external hard drive, as I want to edit a video (which ain't gonna happen if things are going so slowly). Would it make a big difference if I moved all iPhotos and iTunes songs to the external drive? And as for getting more RAM, both my slots are now full -- so is it a question of buying a 2-4 GB thingy and replacing one or both of the extant ones with that?

directeuphorium · Dec 25, 2009

buy a 4gb set.

your mac might not let you use 4gb as there is a restriction on the older logic boards.

If it won't let you have 4GB then just install one of the 2GB chips in one of the ram slots.

hughvane · Dec 25, 2009

steelhead said:
I just bought (but haven't hooked up) an external hard drive ... Would it make a big difference if I moved all iPhotos and iTunes songs to the external drive? And as for getting more RAM, both my slots are now full -- so is it a question of buying a 2-4 GB thingy and replacing one or both of the extant ones with that?

Re external hard drive - ideal for storage, but not applications. Music, movies, photos, text files, the list goes on. Moving such files to an ehd would free space on your iMac HD, but it would not noticeably increase performance speed.

RAM - according to the info you've supplied (and do check that Mactracker link), your iMac is a 2007 model for which the maximum RAM is 4 Gb in 2 x 2 Gb modules. Other options include 1 x 2 Gb module, or 2 x 1 Gb modules, but two modules to provide maximum RAM would be best.

Check your System Profiler to get details of what RAM you currently have in the iMac. Your original post states 512 Gb, which indicates 2 x 256. I'm surprised you could get a 256 module with the right specs for your model of iMac. Does this mean that you've put incorrect RAM in your iMac?

See here Apple iMac Memory Upgrades for 17", 20", and 24" Models equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz, 2.0GHz, 2.16GHz, 2.33GHz, 2.4GHz or Core 2 Extreme 2.8GHz (scroll halfway down) for the sorts of RAM you can put in your iMac. I'd be wary of the 6 Gb option (late 2007 model only), I'd stick with 4 Gb maximum.

Collin Bl · Dec 25, 2009

steelhead said:
Dear experts,
My iMac has gotten painfully slow lately -- internet, Word, whatever. Seemed to get worse after I doubled the RAM recently, and dumped a lot of files. (It's OS 10.4.11, 2GHz, 512 MB). I see someone says to check permissions via disc utility, but I can't figure that out. Someone else says to go to Energy Saver, Options, then "Processor performance", but I don't see that menu. OnyX, tho recommended, is evidently only for OS 6 or higher. I'm grateful for any suggestions.

Time for my bit: Processor performance setting is for Laptops as i recall. Now that you are hunting round here i would suggest you take a look at your back up policy viz what happens if my HD fails tomorrow? Look at using that Ext HD for a bootable back up - SuperDuper is the way to go but understand Carbon Copy Cloner is in the same league. Cheap insurance if u use your computer a lot.