Programs keep hanging and imac won't shut down

[amacclain]

My Intel-based imac keeps hanging my programs like Word and Excel, Chrome, Firefox, etc. I force quit, then try to re-start, but get spinning wheel. I try to shut down and desktop clears, but won't actually shut down unless I push the button. It's doing it every day, almost every time I go to use any of my core programs.

I got a RAM upgrade, and an OWC Mercury Elite Pro HD to take the back ups, but am not particularly computer savvy, need help!!

Oh - I also record a moderate amount of music in Garage Band - could this be clogging up everything?

 

[JediMeister]

Have you checked for updates recently for the OS or any of those applications you mentioned? Run Microsoft AutoUpdate and make sure you're running the latest Office service pack, Firefox updates can be checked for under the help menu while in Firefox, and Mac OS updates released by Apple are found under the Software Update option in the menu.