Hi - Have a mid-2010 MBP (13") which has served me very well, no complaints. Been super compliant about downloads/updates. Currently running High Sierra 10.13.6. Last external HD drive back-up was mid-June (so I'm missing the last 3-4 weeks).
Last week (early July), I downloaded a version of DropBox via an email a friend sent me. Given that I've never downloaded anything aside from Apple updates (I'm vigilant about that, at least was...) , I hesitated, but went with the download. Big mistake. My MBP slowed to a crawl and I had to hard-power it down. I immediately removed any and all files I could find related to DropBox, ran Disk Utility.
Since the DropBox download, my laptop freezes every 10 minutes for 10-12 seconds (it's a pattern - I've tracked this) regardless if I'm on wifi or not. Called Apple and the tech walked me through reinstalling High Sierra. Still the same problem and upon calling back, was told that a genius bar wouldn't touch my MBP given its age. The only thing they suggested was that I do a complete wipe of the system and reinstall everything.
My Q's: (Q1) any idea why this is happening? I'd like to keep my MBP running for now as everything else (battery life, etc.) is fine given its age. I only use it for email, internet, video streaming. I'd also like to make another back-up (on my external HD). Last back-up was mid-June and only thing I added was purchases (music) on iTunes (about a dozen songs). (Q2) If I do a complete wipe of the system, what does that entail as I've never done that before. Hoping to eek out more life from this MBP before having to purchase another.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Last week (early July), I downloaded a version of DropBox via an email a friend sent me. Given that I've never downloaded anything aside from Apple updates (I'm vigilant about that, at least was...) , I hesitated, but went with the download. Big mistake. My MBP slowed to a crawl and I had to hard-power it down. I immediately removed any and all files I could find related to DropBox, ran Disk Utility.
Since the DropBox download, my laptop freezes every 10 minutes for 10-12 seconds (it's a pattern - I've tracked this) regardless if I'm on wifi or not. Called Apple and the tech walked me through reinstalling High Sierra. Still the same problem and upon calling back, was told that a genius bar wouldn't touch my MBP given its age. The only thing they suggested was that I do a complete wipe of the system and reinstall everything.
My Q's: (Q1) any idea why this is happening? I'd like to keep my MBP running for now as everything else (battery life, etc.) is fine given its age. I only use it for email, internet, video streaming. I'd also like to make another back-up (on my external HD). Last back-up was mid-June and only thing I added was purchases (music) on iTunes (about a dozen songs). (Q2) If I do a complete wipe of the system, what does that entail as I've never done that before. Hoping to eek out more life from this MBP before having to purchase another.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.