iMac 7,1 getting really sick

[tinmancactus]

Hi,

I've had an iMac 7,1 since around 2008 (running Lion) and sadly it seems to be getting rather sick lately.

For starters it is just generally really slow. I use two accounts with fast user switching on this Mac and it seems to get bogged down really easily.

The internet is also really problematic. It's on a Wi-Fi connection but it frequently can't load pages in any browser and it is only fixed by turning the Wi-Fi off and then back on again.

Also in one account it tells me the disk is locked when I try to use iTunes and Time Machine no longer works, the computer comes up with an error screen every few minutes saying that the Time Machine backup has failed.

I have disabled resume and when I log out I untick 'Reopen windows when logging back in but every time I log in Chrome, iTunes, Pages, Preview, iCal, Word, System Preferences, SketchUp, Transmission, Awaken and Terminal all open. If I change my wallpaper the old one will be back next time I log in.

Up until now the computer has been really quite reliable. Could it be some kind of problem with a particular component? Eg. hard drive failure?
I have no idea what might be wrong with it.

If anyone can help me out and if you have any suggestions about what do please let me know Should I wipe and reinstall Lion?

Thanks,

Tim.

 

[jimmy43]

Sounds like RAM or HD.

First run Disk Utility - Verify Disk and Repair Permissions.
How full is your hard drive? Make sure you have lots of remaining space.

Then test your RAM with Rember:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15837/rember

It could also be your video card. Install iStat Nano.
http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatnano/
What are your temperatures like?

 

[Razorhog]

Really hard to say. Your idea of wiping/installing Lion is a good one. With luck it will fix your problems. If not, you can start troubleshooting hardware with more gusto. Don't forget to do a backup of important files!

 

[flatfoot]

Sounds like RAM or HD.

First run Disk Utility - Verify Disk and Repair Permissions.
How full is your hard drive? Make sure you have lots of remaining space.

Then test your RAM with Rember:
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15837/rember

It could also be your video card. Install iStat Nano.
http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatnano/
What are your temperatures like?

Download and run SMART Utility, too, to check your HDD.