Slow 17" iMac

[GuntherS]

Hello everyone,

I have a 17" Intel iMac (late 2006) and I've noticed that the speed of the iMac went down. If I press the power button, it takes about 3 times longer than normal to boot the system. Programs also start very slowly.

I think there's a problem with the hard disk but even the Apple Hardware Test CD says that everything is ok. I tried to format the disk but it also takes very long to do this. Now I'm installing Leopard again but it takes about 5 hours to do this..

Could I be right about the hard drive? I've heard that it's difficult to change the HDD in the 17" iMac..

Thanks!

[spcopsmac21]

Yep its the hard drive. It takes a standard 3.5" sata hard drive and a 500gb will run you about $100.00 at best buy, and its worth it. Just pop the back off of it and its right in your face easy as pie to replace. Make sure you remove the Ram first though. IFIXIT.COM has the tutorial on how to repare this.

[flopticalcube]

Its easy on a G5 non-iSight iMac. Not so much on an Intel. http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iMac-Intel-17-Inch-Hard-Drive-Replacement/891/1

[GuntherS]

Its easy on a G5 non-iSight iMac. Not so much on an Intel. http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iMac-Intel-17-Inch-Hard-Drive-Replacement/891/1

Yes indeed. I went to the local Apple Store for a check-up and they also think it's the harddrive. I've seen some videos on YouTube about replacing the hdd on this iMac but it's pretty complicated.

[fluffyx]

Can you find a Mac repair shop in your area? A hard drive replacement is somewhat straightforward and a service provider won't charge you an arm and a leg. An Apple Store probably will, though :-).