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Beachball in Finder

M

macchristy

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 3, 2013
1
0
Hi everyone.
I have a mac mini I bought about 18months ago.
I dont have users set up it automatically starts on boot up and I am set up as administrator. I am running avast antivirus.

The problem is the mac gets stuck with the spining logo showing finder.
I can do nothing.
I can see the desktop all the startup icons across the bottom but my folders I have on the desktop arent showing up.

Hopefully someone may know what this problem.

I use the mac with Xcode but not a lot else.

many thanks
 
macchristy said:
I am running avast antivirus.
Click to expand...
I recommend you uninstall it. The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:
3rd party antivirus apps are not necessary to keep a Mac malware-free, as long as a user practices safe computing, as described in the following link. Read the What security steps should I take? section of the Mac Virus/Malware FAQ for tips on practicing safe computing.
macchristy said:
The problem is the mac gets stuck with the spining logo showing finder.
I can do nothing.
I can see the desktop all the startup icons across the bottom but my folders I have on the desktop arent showing up.
Click to expand...
Restart in Safe Mode then check the following locations for apps that automatically launch on startup and delete any you don't need/want:
  • System Preferences > Accounts > yourusername > Login Items
    (Lion and ML users: System Preferences > Users & Groups > yourusername > Login Items)

  • /Library/LaunchAgents/
    (Lion and ML users: In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder > then enter the path above)

  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
    (Lion and ML users: In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder > then enter the path above)

  • /Library/StartupItems/
    (Lion and ML users: In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder > then enter the path above)

It's also possible you may have a failing hard drive. Make sure you have a current backup in the event it does fail.

If you're having performance issues, this may help:
 
i would try reinstalling the OS. You may be able to use internet recovery to do it. Do you have applecare? if so I would take advantage of that and send it back to apple.

i would stay away from all these antivirus crap. I've been using macs since the late 90's and never once installed any type of virus software and I've never had a problem with my computers
 
foofan said:
i would try reinstalling the OS. You may be able to use internet recovery to do it. Do you have applecare? if so I would take advantage of that and send it back to apple.
Click to expand...

Why so rigorous, it's not Windows, OP do as GGJstudios said.

I would recommend you to disable auto login, it's better to use a password for the account, this way you could also hold the Shift key right after hitting enter when you login, this prevents any Login Items to load.

And, as eawmp1 and GGJstudios said, get rid of that virus scanner, not needed.
 
How much ram do you have?

When downloading or performing a number of tasks, Avast, like most antivirus software, can skyrocket its memory use for a short while.

It sounds to me you have a mac mini 5,1 with 2gb of ram. 2gb came standard with that mini and was patently inadequate. upgrade to 8gb of ram. you will never see the beachball again based on how you described your usage.
 
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