New iMac running very slow.

[gwelmarten]

Hi
I purchased an iMac in October 2010 (the newest model). It was the quad core version with the processor upgrade (so i7, 2.93GHz, 4 cores), 8gb RAM on 2*4gb cards and 1gb of Graphics RAM on an NVidia graphics card. However, over the last couple of weeks, it seems to have been becoming really really slow. I leave it on over night every so often, so it can do it's maintenance jobs, and it is restared at least every 48 hours. It has all of the apple software updates installed.
It's got a 1TB harddrive installed, with 670GB free. Most of this space is my photos and iTunes library.
Is it possible that I have got a virus inside my beloved iMac? Something is definately slowing it down. It used to take (a month ago) 3 seconds to open any of the CS4 applications (photoshop, flash etc) and would boot fully within about 20 seconds. Now, Photoshop takes 20 seconds to open and it takes over 2 minutes to boot.
Please help me, I don't know what to do to get it running back at the normal super speed.

Thanks in advance.

Sam

 

[TMRaven]

Run disk utility and/or hardware check to see if your hard drive is operating the way it should be. Your problems seem to be hard drive related.

 

[gwelmarten]

Hi
Thanks for such a fast responce. Do you mean use the "TechTool Deluxe" that came with the Apple Care protection? I don't think it is the harddrive as when I boot it and it goes to the desktop, it makes more of a processor clicking noise than the harddrive whirring, but I will try.
Anything else?
Sam

 

[gwelmarten]

In disk utility, should I by clicking on the hard disk rather than the individual Mac OSX partition, and then clicking first aid tab? Then, Repair Disk Permissions and Repaid Disk?
Sam

 

[TMRaven]

Processors don't click, only hard drives do, or a fan that went bad.

The disk utility is in applications > utilities. The hardware check comes in application install disk apple gives you when you buy the computer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

If they confirm the hard drive is going bad, I'd start backing up all your important files, and then have it serviced for a new hard drive.

 

[gwelmarten]

I ran disk utility, and the "Verify Disk" test said the harddisk was OK. I am going to try the diagnostics application now and will get back once this is done. Do I need to do "Repaid disk permissions" in disk utility as well?
Sam

 

[TMRaven]

Never hurts to repair disk permissions. It's actually recommended to do so every once in a while.

 

[baummer]

Open up your Activity Monitor when it's running slow and see what's sucking up the memory and/or processing power. In my experience, these 3 things will slow it down:

1. Multiple Adobe Creative Suite products running

2. Drive indexing by Spotlight

3. Browsers with windows/tabs running Flash

I've also found that the longer the iMac is on, the slower it will go. Not really sure why it happens, but I suspect it's a combination of background system processes and client activated programs.

 

[gwelmarten]

Hi
Okay, I have run the diagnostics software you said from the Mac Install DVD, and it says there are no problems with the system. I turned my computer on again, and from when the desktop appeared with the dock, I clicked to open Safari. 35 seconds later, Safari opened. 3 weeks ago, that 35 seconds was more like 0.5 seconds. I have now also repaired disk permissions.
When I turn it on, the desktop appears with the dock. I have no programs set to open at startup, and yet there is the clicking noise going really quickly loads and loads for about 2 minutes.
What could be causing this? As I say, I rarely have more than 3 applications open at once, and nothing opens at startup.
In answer to Baumer;
I never have multiple adobe creative suite programs running, I use one at a time, as my projects only ever need one.
My drive is already indexed. I have my Mac re-index it once weekly.
As I say, the computer is slow before I open any browsers.
The computer is also rebooted at least every 48 hours, and still takes ages straight after a reboot.
Please help, I am really worried about what's happened to my Mac.

Sam

 

[baummer]

Hi
Okay, I have run the diagnostics software you said from the Mac Install DVD, and it says there are no problems with the system. I turned my computer on again, and from when the desktop appeared with the dock, I clicked to open Safari. 35 seconds later, Safari opened. 3 weeks ago, that 35 seconds was more like 0.5 seconds. I have now also repaired disk permissions.
When I turn it on, the desktop appears with the dock. I have no programs set to open at startup, and yet there is the clicking noise going really quickly loads and loads for about 2 minutes.
What could be causing this? As I say, I rarely have more than 3 applications open at once, and nothing opens at startup.
In answer to Baumer;
I never have multiple adobe creative suite programs running, I use one at a time, as my projects only ever need one.
My drive is already indexed. I have my Mac re-index it once weekly.
As I say, the computer is slow before I open any browsers.
The computer is also rebooted at least every 48 hours, and still takes ages straight after a reboot.
Please help, I am really worried about what's happened to my Mac.

Sam

A clicking noise isn't a good sound coming from hardware. Do you have Apple Care? If so, I'd go that route and see if they can get it fixed - something is causing a problem.

 

[gwelmarten]

Hi
Yes, I have applecare. It's made that sort of light clicking noise since I got it, but it has never been this slow. Perhaps I will call them tomorrow. Is there nothing else I can do that you are aware off?
Sam

 

[baummer]

Hi
Yes, I have applecare. It's made that sort of light clicking noise since I got it, but it has never been this slow. Perhaps I will call them tomorrow. Is there nothing else I can do that you are aware off?
Sam

Not that I can think of, but as far as I know, a clicking sound isn't good. This is a general rule of thumb with any computer. You should only be able to hear fans. Anything else is cause for concern. Call them, describe the symptoms and see what they say.