mac keeps freezing

You could start by going into Utilities>Disk Utility and selecting your hard drive, hitting repair permissions and also verify disk while you're there, see if that comes up okay.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to give a bit more info. Which OSX version are you running? Hit the apple in the top left and select 'About this mac' and it will tell you there.

Your OS version is not there.

Go to the Apple menu apple and select About this Mac. The window will say Mac OS X and have the version number below that.

Did you do the Disk Utility | repair permissions step suggested? Actually, you should insert your OS disc, and Restart while holding down the C key. Then find Disk Utility | repair permissions and run it.

In my experience, running the operations for Disk Permissions is better done within the OS. The Mac OS Install DVD isn't going to know what permissions were set by software updates.

semrawr said:

It says version 10.5.8

I did do the first suggestion, and it's still freezing randomly. It actually feels like it's freezing for longer periods of time

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You should run the permissions repair a few times if you've never done it before. And in future remember to run it every once in a while, I run it every 2/3 days a couple of times over.

Did the 'Verify Disk' report come back ok?

Also, you might want to pick up Onyx for Leopard and run everything in the cleaning tab, without restarting until you've ran every section of it.

I'd be careful with recommending permissions repair as universal "issue curing" procedure. It's mostly placebo. Sometimes it may help, but in most cases it does not change anything. But ofc it will not harm your system. Also don't bother yourself with Onyx - if you're not "power user" it will not do much for you. That's IMHO and YMMV ofc
Instead of repairing permissions i suggest to verify your HDD.
OP, download some temperature monitoring tool such as Temperature Monitor or iStat (this could also read fans speed). Freezes could be related to overheating.

I've had my Mini since December '07 and have not repaired permissions even once.

Check CPU, GPU and PSU temps and fans rpm. Maybe one of fans is not spinning and it causes overheating?
Another that you can do, is Hardware Test: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Check activity monitor for heavy CPU activity. Is the macbook getting hot?

Hi

Another computer illiterate here with the same 24" Intel iMac (10.5.8) which completely locks up whenever i try to open apps like iPhoto or iMovie.

Have tried most of the suggestions above and my HD seems to have a clean bill of health.

DL-ed iStat as suggested but haven't a clue how to interpret the results. Besides, since the results were cleared off the screen I cannot work out how to run it again. From memory it seemed my optical drive was spinning at only 699rpm(?), much slower than all the others - is this normal?

Also can anyone advise how to find out whether I simply need more RAM? Might that provide a solution? I can use the Net without my iMac freezing for long spells and can even play vids stored in Downloads for a limited time but have not been able to even open iPhoto or iMovie, both of which I've used heavily in the past, for about a month now.

Any help gratefully received.

GazeofaGeisha said:

Hi

Another computer illiterate here with the same 24" Intel iMac (10.5.8) which completely locks up whenever i try to open apps like iPhoto or iMovie.

Have tried most of the suggestions above and my HD seems to have a clean bill of health.

DL-ed iStat as suggested but haven't a clue how to interpret the results. Besides, since the results were cleared off the screen I cannot work out how to run it again. From memory it seemed my optical drive was spinning at only 699rpm(?), much slower than all the others - is this normal?

Also can anyone advise how to find out whether I simply need more RAM? Might that provide a solution? I can use the Net without my iMac freezing for long spells and can even play vids stored in Downloads for a limited time but have not been able to even open iPhoto or iMovie, both of which I've used heavily in the past, for about a month now.

Any help gratefully received.

Click to expand...

I'm still looking for help. PLEASE!
Since posting above I have upgraded RAM to 4 GB but it has made not a jot of difference. iMac still locks up frequently, but a clear pattern is emerging. It's usually okay for anything up to 15 mins after I have switched on but after that it depends on what i am doing. If i simply use the internet it may keep going for an hour or two without freezing, but whenever I attempt to increase usage by accessing applications or even just the Finder it quickly locks up. The longest i have lasted using apps is about 30 mins. Once it has frozen for more than a few minutes I have no option but to power off and wait an hour, if I try sooner I run the risk of getting the flashing folder at start-up.

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac8,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM81.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.30f1
Serial Number (system): YM9011CNZE4
Hardware UUID: 1551B843-5D73-50DE-A338-D57C52C131D4

Purchased March 2009 so warranty has expired.

I have used 192 GB of 297 GB capacity, roughly 66%.

My temperatures seem normal, mostly around 45-50 degrees, max 53 degrees for the HDD down to 24 for Ambient. Fan speeds are: CPU 1200rpm, HD 1217rpm, Optical drive 699rpm.

Any advice would be MUCH APPRECIATED!

GazeofaGeisha said:

can anyone advise how to find out whether I simply need more RAM? Might that provide a solution?

Click to expand...

It might. But first we need to know how much you have.

does the spin wheel keep spinning and the freezes get happen faster and longer each time. i also rand diagnostics with disc utility and a hardware check using the startup disc,nothing appeared wrong. because that happened to me and wham! hard drive gone so just in case if u can back everything up while the computer still boots up. dont end up like me!

GazeofaGeisha said:

[...]

Click to expand...

Whenever the options above don't solve anything i suggest:

1. Get your recovery CD out of the old box. (if you don't have this, make one yourself *cough* pirate *cough*)
2. Do (if needed) a backup of important data on your HDD
3. Put in the Disc into your computer and hold the 'c' key on startup. If this does not start the computer from disc, use the left Alt key on startup and select the disc from there. Ik the disk in stuck into your computer... hold down the left mouse button on startup to eject it.
4. Follow the instructions to format your HDD and install OSX on it.
5. Enjoy your (almost new) iMac. Install all apple updates and do things with it where it is made for

Note: This only helps when it is an software issue. Since we don't know it here, it is a possible solution.

THIS ANSWER IS ALSO AN POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOT THE OP

Many thanks Dr Kevorkian and Snookik for your help, much appreciated.

In order to carry out a complete system back-up before attempting to reformat the HD I purchased an Iomega eGo 2T external HD from Amazon the other day but guess what? Each time I try to back-up it gets so far then - freezes! and therefore fails. AARRGGHH ! ! !

But tbh I don't fully understand what I'm doing with the external HD so my next move will be to contact Iomega and see what they advise before trying anything else.

PS - FAO Gregg - thanks for your interest but as I mentioned on May 3,
'Since posting above I have upgraded RAM to 4 GB but it has made not a jot of difference.'

temps ?

CAn someone tell me the ideal temps for everything on imac intel please ?

I downloaded Temp Monitor but not sure what is good or bad on there.

Thanks in advance.

I have had the same issue for about 3 years!! I have replaced the HD, reinstalled and basically done everything suggested but to no avail!!! I find that if I keep it running with a website that auto runs (like webmail) it is ok, but if I leave it stagnent for a minute it freezes! I am a bit of a geek and have tried for years t work this out but cant solve it?!?!?!?

Mac book pro freezing

I just installed an elctra 250gig ssd new battery and upgraded to 8 gig ram in my 2009 mid 15" MBP. The problem I now have is the mac keeps freezing after very little time. It means I have to do force turn off every time. it took me a while to get the ssd working properly and I am afraid I may have done some damage to the mac. Has anyone else experienced constant freezing and where they able to resolve it. Thanks in advance.