iMac crashing after El Capitan Clean Install

[Eric Noa]

I have a Mid 2007 iMac which I just recently decided to upgrade its OS to El Capitan. I download the software from the App Store then created a bootable USB drive to do a clean install. Well my iMac now crashes A LOT!!

I ordered 4GB of RAM because my iMac came stock with 2GB and a 50% more RAM won't hurt but these are the current specs of my iMac....

iMac (24-inch, Mid 2007)
2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB

The question is what can be causing the computer to crash so much. Everything is find then it freezes up and after a few seconds it reboots. Is there a diagnostic I can run to find whats causing it to crash?

 

[simonsi]

Run etrecheck and post the results here, also it would be useful if there is any pattern to the crashes - eg Safari when accessing a certain website etc...

 

[fisherking]

could be hardware...plus, maybe a little late, but if it's NOT the hard drive...8gigs of ram will definitely be better than 4...

 

[Eric Noa]

could be hardware...plus, maybe a little late, but if it's NOT the hard drive...8gigs of ram will definitely be better than 4...

Well I wish I could add 8 gigs but this model only supports 4 gigs max.

 

[simonsi]

Just a thought but the crashing may be related to the new RAM, try reseating both sticks, if you still get the crashing then replace the original RAM, if that resolves it either return both new sticks for exchange or fit one at a time to isolate.

 

[Eric Noa]

Run etrecheck and post the results here, also it would be useful if there is any pattern to the crashes - eg Safari when accessing a certain website etc...

Here you go... as for pattern there ins't one. It just happens randomly.

EtreCheck version: 2.9.8 (258)
Report generated 2016-03-02 20:37:44
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime 2:25
Performance: Excellent

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Problem: Computer is restarting

Hardware Information: ⓘ
    iMac (24-inch, Mid 2007)
    [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
    iMac - model: iMac7,1
    1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core
    2 GB RAM - Insufficient RAM! Upgradeable - [Instructions]
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM1
            1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: ⓘ
    ATI,RadeonHD2600 - VRAM: 256 MB
        iMac 1920 x 1200

System Software: ⓘ
    OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: less than an hour

Disk Information: ⓘ
    WDC WD5000AAKS-40TMA0 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)
        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Untitled (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (478.01 GB free)
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

USB Information: ⓘ
    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
    Bose Corporation Bose USB Audio
    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Configuration files: ⓘ
    /etc/hosts - Count: 22

Gatekeeper: ⓘ
    Mac App Store and identified developers

Adware: ⓘ
    ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist
    One adware file found. [Remove]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ
    [not loaded]    6 Apple tasks
    [loaded]    156 Apple tasks
    [running]    74 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ
    [not loaded]    46 Apple tasks
    [loaded]    161 Apple tasks
    [running]    80 Apple tasks

Launch Agents: ⓘ
    [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-02-28) [Support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusstatus.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ
    [loaded]    com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist (2016-02-28) [Support]
    [running]    com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist (2016-02-28) Adware!  [Remove]
        ~/Library/Application Support/Spigot/ApplicationManager

User Login Items: ⓘ
    None

Other Apps: ⓘ
    [running]    com.adobe.headlights.LogTransport2App.72032
    [loaded]    394 Apple tasks
    [running]    173 Apple tasks

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
    Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-01-13)
    AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-02-28) [Support]
    QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-01-13)

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ
    None

Time Machine: ⓘ
    Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ
        17%    mdworker(8)
         3%    WindowServer
         1%    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)
         1%    kernel_task
         1%    fontd

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ
    279 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)
    249 MB    kernel_task
    80 MB    mdworker(8)
    72 MB    Safari
    35 MB    sandboxd

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ
    225 MB    Free RAM
    1.78 GB    Used RAM (775 MB Cached)
    14 MB    Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ
    Mar 2, 2016, 08:22:22 PM    Self test - passed
    Mar 2, 2016, 06:26:53 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-03-02-182653_[redacted].panic [Details]
    Mar 1, 2016, 10:34:28 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-03-01-223428_[redacted].panic [Details]
    Feb 29, 2016, 08:28:47 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Adobe Lightroom_2016-02-29-202847_[redacted].hang
        /Applications/Adobe Lightroom/Adobe Lightroom.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe Lightroom
    Feb 29, 2016, 08:28:11 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/dynamiclinkmanager_2016-02-29-202811_[redacted].crash
        com.adobe.dynamiclinkmanager.application - /Applications/Adobe Lightroom/Adobe Lightroom.app/Contents/Helpers/DynamicLinkSupport/support/common/dynamiclink/dynamiclinkmanager.app/Contents/MacOS/dynamiclinkmanager

[doublepost=1456969285][/doublepost]

Just a thought but the crashing may be related to the new RAM, try reseating both sticks, if you still get the crashing then replace the original RAM, if that resolves it either return both new sticks for exchange or fit one at a time to isolate.

The new RAM has not been installed. I ordered it on Monday and should be here on Friday.

 

[NoBoMac]

No real idea what might be causing it, but, had something similar after an OS update many years ago. Kept kernel panicking on a USB driver. Solved the issue by re-installing the OS over the top of the existing install. Will keep your files and settings as-is, might repair what might be off after the install.

 

[Weaselboy]

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist

I don't think you did a clean install that involves easing the drive and starting over. Or if you did, you reinstalled some old junk afterwards. You have Spigot adware running on there.

Download and run the app MalwareBytes to get rid of the adware.

Next I would completely remove iStatMenus. That has caused some conflicts with El Capitan.

If that does not fix it, come back and let us know and we can give you some other ideas to try.

 

[Eric Noa]

I don't think you did a clean install that involves easing the drive and starting over. Or if you did, you reinstalled some old junk afterwards. You have Spigot adware running on there.

Download and run the app MalwareBytes to get rid of the adware.

Next I would completely remove iStatMenus. That has caused some conflicts with El Capitan.

If that does not fix it, come back and let us know and we can give you some other ideas to try.

Yes I erased the hard drive and then installed the OS. I did what you suggested and the computer its running much better now. So far it has not crashed. I'll report back in a few days but so far so good. Thank you

 

[Eric Noa]

So Im having issues again.... Now every time I wake the computer up it goes into "beach balling" and it never stops. I end up having to restart the computer by holding the power button. Any ideas why this might be happening?

 

[Weaselboy]

So Im having issues again.... Now every time I wake the computer up it goes into "beach balling" and it never stops. I end up having to restart the computer by holding the power button. Any ideas why this might be happening?

Try holding the shift key as you boot to boot to safe mode. That will stop all launch and startup items from running and tell us if that is the issue. Let me know how it runs in safe mode.

 

[fisherking]

first, what weaselboy suggests. otherwise, seems it might be time to investigate the hard drive...

 

[Fishrrman]

"So Im having issues again.... Now every time I wake the computer up it goes into "beach balling" and it never stops. I end up having to restart the computer by holding the power button. Any ideas why this might be happening?"

Things I'd try:

TURN OFF Spotlight:
Open terminal and enter:
sudo mdutil -a -i off
(your administrative password will be required)

Try running this way a couple of days. Any difference?
You can turn Spotlight on again, if you wish, by replacing "off" with "on"

Turn off hibernate mode:
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0

You can remove the sleep image:
sudo rm /var/vm/sleepimage

If you want to turn the hibernate back on later:
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 3

(Note, not sure if the hibernate mode affects iMacs, try it anyway)

Be aware that with Mavericks, Yosemite and El Capitan, Apple has developed these OS's to run best on Macs that have SSD's inside. The OS's will still work on Macs with platter-based HDD's (of course), but the experience will not be the same. It will "feel like" the OS is -walking-, instead of "running". I realize that each user's "perception of speed" is different. But that's my experience.

With a Mac from 2007, now nine years old, it's time to start thinking "replacement" ...

My opinion only.
Others will disagree.
Some will disagree vehemently.

 

[Eric Noa]

Try holding the shift key as you boot to boot to safe mode. That will stop all launch and startup items from running and tell us if that is the issue. Let me know how it runs in safe mode.

I did what you recommended but noticed zero improvement.
[doublepost=1458663648][/doublepost]

"So Im having issues again.... Now every time I wake the computer up it goes into "beach balling" and it never stops. I end up having to restart the computer by holding the power button. Any ideas why this might be happening?"

Things I'd try:

TURN OFF Spotlight:
Open terminal and enter:
sudo mdutil -a -i off
(your administrative password will be required)

Try running this way a couple of days. Any difference?
You can turn Spotlight on again, if you wish, by replacing "off" with "on"

Turn off hibernate mode:
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0

You can remove the sleep image:
sudo rm /var/vm/sleepimage

If you want to turn the hibernate back on later:
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 3

(Note, not sure if the hibernate mode affects iMacs, try it anyway)

Be aware that with Mavericks, Yosemite and El Capitan, Apple has developed these OS's to run best on Macs that have SSD's inside. The OS's will still work on Macs with platter-based HDD's (of course), but the experience will not be the same. It will "feel like" the OS is -walking-, instead of "running". I realize that each user's "perception of speed" is different. But that's my experience.

With a Mac from 2007, now nine years old, it's time to start thinking "replacement" ...

My opinion only.
Others will disagree.
Some will disagree vehemently.

I just turned off Spotlight, restarted the computer, a few minutes later I put it to sleep and when I moved the mouse to wake it back up about 5 minutes after it was in sleep more it crashed before I could type my password.

 

[Ebenezum]

At this point I suspect the problem is in Hard Drive.

Open Disk Utility and select first Macintosh HD from the list. What is the reading on the S.M.A.R.T Status?
Next click the Info button and post all the results after field which reads "S.M.A.R.T Status".

 

[Weaselboy]

I did what you recommended but noticed zero improvement.

If safe mode was no improvement, then I would agree with fisherking and Ebenezum that you likely have a drive failure.

 

[Eric Noa]

At this point I suspect the problem is in Hard Drive.

Open Disk Utility and select first Macintosh HD from the list. What is the reading on the S.M.A.R.T Status?
Next click the Info button and post all the results after field which reads "S.M.A.R.T Status".

Here you go...

 

[Ebenezum]

Couple of concerns:

1. File system is unknown which is strange, it should show Mac OS extended.

2. Have you disabled Journaling for some reason? According to picture it is disabled and it should be enabled.

Although SMART status is Verified those pictures don't show SMART values. In previous Disk Utility that information would be directly below SMART Status. I haven't used El Capitan Disk Utility in months so my memory is a little hazy but it might have been removed from Disk Utility. If that is the case you might need some other software that shows SMART values.

While I can't say for sure with current information drive might be problematic. You could narrow it down with spare external drive. Install El Capitan on it and test if it works normally. If it works normally problem is likely internal drive or its cable.

 

[Eric Noa]

Couple of concerns:

1. File system is unknown which is strange, it should show Mac OS extended.

2. Have you disabled Journaling for some reason? According to picture it is disabled and it should be enabled.

Although SMART status is Verified those pictures don't show SMART values. In previous Disk Utility that information would be directly below SMART Status. I haven't used El Capitan Disk Utility in months so my memory is a little hazy but it might have been removed from Disk Utility. If that is the case you might need some other software that shows SMART values.

While I can't say for sure with current information drive might be problematic. You could narrow it down with spare external drive. Install El Capitan on it and test if it works normally. If it works normally problem is likely internal drive or its cable.

Ok here is another screenshot of the drive titled "untitled"


[doublepost=1458772481][/doublepost]

[doublepost=1458772632][/doublepost]

 

[Ebenezum]

According to pictures the disk has correct filesystem and Journaling.

Value 195 Hardware ECC Recovered is failed which is bad sign. Unfortunately it seems to be vendor specific value and I am not sure how reliable it is.

Its impossible to say how long the drive will last, it might keep working for years but I would not trust that drive with any important information.

If you have time I would recommend installing El Capitan in external drive like I suggested in my previous post. It would narrow down the problem.

 

[Eric Noa]

According to pictures the disk has correct filesystem and Journaling.

Value 195 Hardware ECC Recovered is failed which is bad sign. Unfortunately it seems to be vendor specific value and I am not sure how reliable it is.

Its impossible to say how long the drive will last, it might keep working for years but I would not trust that drive with any important information.

If you have time I would recommend installing El Capitan in external drive like I suggested in my previous post. It would narrow down the problem.

I will do that tonight. The strange this is that this never happened before with any other OS. It could just be a coincidence that the drive is giving up after the installation of El Capitan but I still find it strange.

 

[Ebenezum]

I will do that tonight. The strange this is that this never happened before with any other OS. It could just be a coincidence that the drive is giving up after the installation of El Capitan but I still find it strange.

Alternatively the drive may have been already worn and the El Capitan install just accelerated the process... Given the drive is already 8 years old its not unheard of.

 

[Weaselboy]

I will do that tonight. The strange this is that this never happened before with any other OS. It could just be a coincidence that the drive is giving up after the installation of El Capitan but I still find it strange.

There is no way anything in El Capitan broke your drive. What often happens is you have a drive that is borderline and the stress of a full OS install pushes it over the edge. An OS install like that moves a LOT of files around and is a workout for a drive.

 

[Eric Noa]

My the problems continued and I decided to start fresh again and re-install El Capitan, well that didn't go as I hoped for. The damn thing will no install, it says it has about 2 hours to finish and it just stays there and nothing happens (left it overnight) I even tried installing Snow Leopard to see if I had a bad bootable copy of El Capitan and same thing happens. Sometimes after restarting the computer the internal hard drive won't mount and I just have to restart it again.

So like many said I believe the hard drive is dead! At this time I don't want to invest in a new iMac so I'm hoping I can just replace the HD. Also don't want to spend a lot on a new HD incase that's not the whole problem. Can I use a external drive? If I can't will this internal drive work?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Seagate-Bulk-ST500DM002-500GB-Barracuda-SATA-HD/26819545

 

[Eric Noa]

Problem solved! A friend gave me a new WD5003ABYX HD he had. Came home about 2hrs ago, opened up the iMac, took out the old HD and installed the new one. I proceeded to install El Capitan and now the computer is running great. Zero issues.