Going crazy here (freezes and hangs)

[MCM0313]

So...last I posted here was about a year-and-a-half ago. I was having some problems with my power supply. Got that fixed and it hasn't troubled me again. However, right now I'm having constant issues and I'd like to see if anyone has any idea what could be causing them.

I'm running a Mac Pro 3.1 (early-2008) with El Capitan and 24GB of HDD2 RAM. I was previously using a 1TB hard-disk drive, but it ultimately came very close to failing (it was several years old). The computer repair guy was able to copy its contents onto a brand-new 2TB SSD. So, now I'm running El Capitan on a 2TB SSD that is well under half full, with 24 gigs of RAM to boot. Should be super-fast...and it is faster than before...but there have been some ridiculous hiccups lately.

On more than half the occasions that I boot up, iTunes freezes when I attempt to open it. It always works fine when I'm able to get it going.

Quite often, Finder will freeze indefinitely.

Even "About My Mac" freezes often.

When these problems pop up, they cannot be fixed. My only options are to turn off and restart the computer, or to simply not use the affected program(s). (Luckily, these freezes don't keep other apps from running.)

I need this computer to be dependable. I've begun formatting and editing a book I've written on it. I use GarageBand frequently. I often listen to my music on iTunes while doing other tasks. Moreover, I've done enough that this oughta be humming along unless there was some bug copied over from the old hard drive, or something inside the computer is failing. I'm always able to start up and log in, and as far as I can tell, only built-in Apple software (iTunes, Finder, etc.) is affected. It's just extremely annoying. Does anyone have any past experience with these issues? I'm getting tired of having to boot my computer up three times just to run iTunes.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone may be able to provide.

 

[chscag]

Freezing could be due to: failing memory, intermittent or bad graphics card, and possibly even a flaky power supply. Also, you might want to check the SSD even though it's new.

I'm sure our other members who own a Mac Pro will have some more suggestions for you to pursue.

 

[MCM0313]

Freezing could be due to: failing memory, intermittent or bad graphics card, and possibly even a flaky power supply. Also, you might want to check the SSD even though it's new.

I'm sure our other members who own a Mac Pro will have some more suggestions for you to pursue.

Thank you. How would one go about checking the SSD?

- - - Updated - - -

When I go to "About This Mac" and click "Storage" it freezes. I think one time I've been able to look at that tab and verify that it is in fact a 2TB SSD.

 

[Slydude]

Give this article a quick read. If you're already familiar with Disk Utility (in Applications/Utilities). the directions fro checking and repairing a disk are near the bottom of the article.

 

[krs]

Thank you. How would one go about checking the SSD?

DriveDX comes to mind.

 

[ferrarr]

You may also want to startup in Safe mode, Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support.

 

[Rod]

I’m with sly dude, if you haven’t already definitely run Disk Utility, First Aid and see what you get. I’m also a little worried about compatibility of your SSD if About This Mac is having trouble reading it.
Lastly I’m wondering if reinstalling the Operating System might be necessary.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[MCM0313]

Update: Have run First Aid on SSD and no problems there.

 

[ferrarr]

When you ran DU>FA, did you run it on the disk/drive, or the partition?

 

[MCM0313]

When you ran DU>FA, did you run it on the disk/drive, or the partition?

Disk.

 

[pm-r]

I'm always able to start up and log in, and as far as I can tell, only built-in Apple software (iTunes, Finder, etc.) is affected.

I'd try downloading the appropriate MacOS Update xxx Installer and run and install it.


- Patrick
======

 

[ferrarr]

Disk.

You should startup in Recovery, then run it on. the partition as well.

 

[MCM0313]

Update: I found a description of almost my exact problem and the advice was to reinstall the OS. I did so, and that got rid of the issues...for a few days. They've been slowly returning since then, however. I don't understand it. The disk is fine. I really hope this silly computer isn't about to poop the bed altogether.

 

[pm-r]

Update: I found a description of almost my exact problem and the advice was to reinstall the OS.

Just as I suggested in my #11 post.

And as your last OS install seems to be a bit goofy, I would suggest you doing as I suggested back then, download the appropriate MacOS Update xxx Installer and run and install it — and repeat again if needed later.


- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

Update: I found a description of almost my exact problem and the advice was to reinstall the OS. I did so, and that got rid of the issues...for a few days. They've been slowly returning since then, however. I don't understand it. The disk is fine. I really hope this silly computer isn't about to poop the bed altogether.

Reinstalling the OS when problems exist as you have reported rarely fix the problem. It's like putting a band aid on a wound which has not healed properly.

Did you try swapping out the graphics card?

 

[MCM0313]

Reinstalling the OS when problems exist as you have reported rarely fix the problem. It's like putting a band aid on a wound which has not healed properly.

Did you try swapping out the graphics card?

No. I don't have another one to swap it with.

 

[krs]

I agree with chscag - reinstalling the OS seldom fixes that type of problem.
In your case definitely not since the same problem symptoms are coming back; somehow the OS is getting corrupted.
At this point you have not discovered and corrected the root cause of the problem.

Apple offers a hardware test - have you run that to see what it shows?

 

[MCM0313]

I agree with chscag - reinstalling the OS seldom fixes that type of problem.
In your case definitely not since the same problem symptoms are coming back; somehow the OS is getting corrupted.
At this point you have not discovered and corrected the root cause of the problem.

Apple offers a hardware test - have you run that to see what it shows?

I haven't done a hardware test. That will be my next step. Thank you.

 

[MCM0313]

I agree with chscag - reinstalling the OS seldom fixes that type of problem.
In your case definitely not since the same problem symptoms are coming back; somehow the OS is getting corrupted.
At this point you have not discovered and corrected the root cause of the problem.

Apple offers a hardware test - have you run that to see what it shows?

I haven't done a hardware test. That will be my next step. Thank you.

UPDATE: I attempted to run the hardware test. I held down the D key upon starting the computer. Instead of the hardware test icon, I was greeted by a folder with a question mark on it.

 

[MCM0313]

UPDATE: I attempted to run the hardware test. I held down the D key upon starting the computer. Instead of the hardware test icon, I was greeted by a folder with a question mark on it.

From what I've read similar problems are not uncommon when switching from HDD to SSD as I have done. I just haven't figured out what the most common solutions are.