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Mac lagging at simple tasks. What should I do?

B

brunozs

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 7, 2005
113
112
Hi,

From night to day my Mac started randomly lagging at simple tasks. I have an iMac 2013 built-to-order with full specs so that shouldn't happen.

Tried to reinstall OS X, still the same. So I created a new user, and it works great under that login, so it has to be tied up to my user account.

The question is: how do I fix it? Nothing unusual on the Activity Monitor.

Thanks
 
Download the free application EtreCheck. It will print out a report to show you the incomplete or bad services, even Trojans. You just have to manually delete this files, just reboot after doing all the deleteing.
 
What's lagging? If it's your cursor, have a look at this thread; it seems to be a common thing with Yosemite.
 
brunozs said:
Hi,

From night to day my Mac started randomly lagging at simple tasks. I have an iMac 2013 built-to-order with full specs so that shouldn't happen.

Tried to reinstall OS X, still the same. So I created a new user, and it works great under that login, so it has to be tied up to my user account.

The question is: how do I fix it? Nothing unusual on the Activity Monitor.

Thanks
Click to expand...
First, do you have an SSD? I assume you do.

Since the other account is working fine, something in your original account must be holding it up. Check Startup Items for that account.
 
brunozs said:
Hi,

From night to day my Mac started randomly lagging at simple tasks. I have an iMac 2013 built-to-order with full specs so that shouldn't happen.

Tried to reinstall OS X, still the same. So I created a new user, and it works great under that login, so it has to be tied up to my user account.

The question is: how do I fix it? Nothing unusual on the Activity Monitor.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Disable your logn items, one of them is likely not fully compatible.
 
OP wrote above:
[[ So I created a new user, and it works great under that login, so it has to be tied up to my user account. ]]

In this case, it's not the "OS in general" that is having problems, but rather, something specific to your user account.

Both yjchua95 and simonsi are pointing in the right direction.

IF you disable login items in your regular account and you're STILL having problems, you might consider this:
1. Create a new user account that will (in time) become your -permanent- account.
2. SLOWLY begin copying things from your "old regular" account into the new account.
2a. As you move things, progressively log out of the old account, log into the new account, and compare speed differences. You want to be sure that the additions you make into the new account don't "import the problem" that slowed you down in the old account.
3. Eventually, you'll get everything (or just about everything) moved over.
4. Now you can log out of the old account for good, log into the new one, and (if you wish) delete the old account from your drive.

IMPORTANT:
You will want to keep WRITTEN NOTES as you proceed, so you don't get lost.
Also important to know:
You CANNOT copy the "first subfolders" from one account to another.
By "first subfolders" I mean those titled "Library", "Mail", "Movies", "Music", "Pictures", etc.
But, you CAN copy items -inside- those folders from one account to another.

I've actually done this before, and it worked.

But try the "quick solution" method first (remove login items), and see if that's all that is needed to fix things...
 
Fishrrman said:
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eattherich said:
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satcomer said:
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Thanks for all the replies.

I've been testing the alternatives you all suggested (no malware was found):

1- Browsing the web is usually normal now but I still get temporary freezes which also happens in iTunes
2- It's nearly impossible to work with Pages or Numbers (rainbow ball, not responding, etc)
3- It's happening on any login account
4- Yes, I have an SSD, and tried to delete and reinstall both OS X and iWork apps

I think I'll have to take it to Apple cause this behavior is definitely not normal :(
 
Hi brunozs

Join the club!

I have a similar age mac and similar problems - only since Yosemite.

Yosemite is annoying all who use this and my two other macs. The user experience is retro to say the least.

I'm hoping the next incarnation of OS X will sort it out, but in my mind I've already started considering other products and software and moving away from Apple - which was totally inconceivable until Yosemite was downloaded.

Regards
 
That can't be, I'm using Yosemite for a while now, and those problems started out of nothing.

Seems like I'll have to take it to the store and make a good use of that warranty.
 
I don't care what they do as long as it works.

Look at the kernel_task is that normal?
Screen Shot 2015-06-07 at 11.35.39 PM.png
 
I've experienced this in earlier Mac OS versions. Those times it took a new install and no restoring anything with Time Machine to get the zip back. Same solution that used to be standard in Windows.
 
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