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[Mac Mini 2012] Tips for faster startup?

Sir Ruben

Sir Ruben

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 3, 2010
1,927
1,276
UK
Hi All,

Since updating to Mavericks I have founds things to be a tad slower. Primarily after I log into my Mac and its setting up the desktop for the first time (after a reboot). I have found that it now takes longer to load the dock and 'settle down' so that I can begin to use it. I can still hear the hard drive frantically clicking away for a good couple of mins. I know during this time its syncing iMessage data, checking for updates etc, but Im pretty sure it did this quite a bit quicker when I was on Mountain Lion.

In my PC days it was just a case of going into MSCONFIG and removing needless things from startup that were slowing the whole thing down. Is there any similar tips for the Mac?
 
Hi,

1) System Preferences --> Users & groups --> Login Items
2) Take some moments to think about switching to a SSD instead of the slow HDD (either replace the existing one or add a second hard-disk as system OS


markus
 
The best way to decrease boot time is to get a SSD, that will make a dramatic impact.

MSconfig was a utility that let the consumer easily check/uncheck startup items found in the various locations that could occur. I believe Onyx a general utility may do that as well.

You can look at what's starting up in the following locations.
In the system Preference, click on User & Groups and click on login items.
Also check out ~/Library/Startup Items and /Library/Startup Items
 
I have a lot of storage in my MM - 2) 750 GB HD's.

I use as my startup HD a hybrid that has 32 GB of solid-state memory as well as the 750 GB in the traditional drive.

My boot times are (ML) around 28 seconds.

The drive is now 1 GB with 64 GB cache - it's a Seagate - and runs $95.00 @ Amazon currently.

A SSD is the overall ticket, just out of my current price range at $450.00 for a 1 TB drive.

Good luck!
 
you could always get a smaller 60GB SSD and have an external for added storage... that'll cost you only $60, would be plenty fast to make a noticeable difference and is plenty big for OS only application... keep the current internal HDD for storage and if you need another get an external...
 
nightmars said:
Hi,

1) System Preferences --> Users & groups --> Login Items
2) Take some moments to think about switching to a SSD instead of the slow HDD (either replace the existing one or add a second hard-disk as system OS


markus
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I had Kies software in here (due to previously owning a Galaxy S4). removed this (and also uninstalled the Kies software while I was at it) and it seems to have made a noticeable difference.

As for the suggestions of a SSD. Yes I agree. Its on my list of things to do ;)
 
Why don't you just sleep the machine instead of shutting it down, that speeds up the "re-start" dramatically !
 
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