Can't seem to fix my iMac. Suggestions?

17inch 1.83 Ghz Intel Core Duo with 2GB Ram, running OSX 10.5.8. Software all updated via Software update, all maintenance scripts run via Cocktail.
(Internal optical drive failed a while ago so use an external Plextor drive instead.)
For months now, I've had a big problem with my iMac whereby the machine just hangs and won't even reboot. When this happens, Finder won't let me force quit any app that has hung (and it isn't always the same app that hangs) and even the dock freezes and becomes unresponsive.
The only way to get the iMac back when this happens is to power down and then reboot (something I hate doing).
I noticed this tended to happen when Time Machine was "Preparing to Backup" but not any more, it just randomly and very often hangs.
As of now, my iMac is unusable and am having to make do with my old Macbook which is hopelessly underspeced for what I need to be doing.
Over the weekend, the iMac failed completely.
To cut a long story short, I have just completely reinstalled OSX 10.5.8 by hooking the iMac to the Macbook via Firewire, reformatting the iMac via Disc Utilities on the Macbook then installing OSX 10.5.8 using the Macbook running the install disc and targeting the iMac as an external firewire drive. I then used Utilities on the install disc to reload the last configuration of the iMac from the last Time Machine backup.
However, my iMac is STILL randomly freezing and behaving just as before.
Have any of you experts out there any other suggestions for me to follow? I need help here...
Thanks!

Forgive me asking a dumb question but I've never done this before... Where will I find the "Zero all data" option and how do I do this? I'm guessing it's part of the Erase and Install protocol. Am I right?
When you are booted from your install disc, open the Disk Utility to reformat the drive. In there you will see a tab called "Security Options." You can select "Zero all data" in there.
And presumably, I just copy over the current Preferences folder which is in User/Library and then just over-write the new one once the new install is complete. Is this right?
Correct. Repair your permissions before and after the move also.
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG

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Hi Insignia,
Thanks for posting!
I'm really sorry for all the problems you've been having since moving into your new house. It doesn't make great reading to be perfectly honest
No need to worry as I can help sort everything out from here. Click on my username and under the "about me" section you'll see the link to get in touch with us.
Please include the link to this thread when you complete the form and whenever we've received your details we'll take it from there.
Thanks a million,
Robbie
BTCare Community Mod
If we have asked you to email us with your details, please make sure you are logged in to the forum, otherwise you will not be able to see our ‘Contact Us’ link within our profiles.
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Apple's iOS 6 Wi-Fi problems
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
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iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398
iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
WiFi Connecting/Troubleshooting http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/wifi/http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/wifi/
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iOS: Connecting to the Internet http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1695http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1695
iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199
How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/
iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes
http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/
Connect iPad to Wi-Fi (with troubleshooting info)
http://thehowto.wikidot.com/wifi-connect-ipadhttp://thehowto.wikidot.com/wifi-connect-ipad
10 Ways to Boost Your Wireless Signal
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372811,00.asphttp://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372811,00.asp
Fix iPad Wifi Connection and Signal Issues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxE
Fix Slow WiFi Issue https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2398063?start=60&tstart=0https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2398063?start=60&tstart=0
How To Fix iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue http://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmzhttp://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmz
Unable to Connect After iOS Update - saw this solution on another post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130
Note - When troubleshooting wifi connection problems, don't hold your iPad by hand. There have been a few reports that holding the iPad by hand, seems to attenuate the wifi signal.
Some Wi-Fi losses may stem from a problematic interaction between Wi-Fi and cellular data connections. Numerous users have found that turning off Cellular Data in Settings gets their Wi-Fi working again.
You may have many apps open which can possibly cause the slowdown and possibly the loss of wifi. In iOS 4-6 double tap your Home button & at the bottom of the screen you will see the icons of all open apps. Close those you are not using by pressing on an icon until all icons wiggle - then tap the minus sign. For iOS 7 users, there’s an easy way to see which apps are open in order to close them. By double-tapping the home button on your iPhone or iPad, the new multitasking feature in iOS 7 shows full page previews of all your open apps. Simply scroll horizontally to see all your apps, and close the apps with a simple flick towards the top of the screen.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings grayed out or dim
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1559http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1559
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If any of the above solutions work, please post back what solved your problem. It will help others with the same problem.
 Cheers, Tom

Can't seem to fix my iMac. Suggestions?

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