Safari (and other browsers) very slow loading "content rich" web pages

Question

Hi,
I'm a very "light" user of my mac, using it basically for surfing the web, uploading pictures and music, etc... and recently any web page that has a lot of content (examples are nfl.com, nba.com, nhl.com, mlb.com, united.com, continental.com) takes a very long time to load (most other web pages load normally). Safari (and Firefox as well) gets to the web page in an instant, but then sits there trying to load content (mostly high res pictures and ads I suppose), which sometimes takes minutes or just never fully downloads the content. I'm connected to the internet via ethernet (high speed cable modem from Time Warner), and they've already come out and verified that everything on their end is fine. I've followed the instructions posted on some of the other similar posts (emptying cache, deleting cookies, disenabling add on's, reseting safari, logging in as another user, etc..), and this has not helped. Since this problem is persistent with both browsers, I'm wondering if this may be an OS issue as opposed to a browser issue. If someone can walk me through a solution (keep in mind that I'm a novice), that would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Message was edited by: Mr. Cady

Answer 1

HI and welcome....
Since this problem is persistent with both browsers, I'm wondering if this may be an OS issue as opposed to a browser issue
Could be.
Since the problems exist with multiple browsers, login to another user account on your Mac. Try Safari there. If you see the same behavior with Safari there, then follow the instructions here. You will need your install disc. The startup disk may need repairing. Even if Safari is ok in another account, it's still a good idea to check the startup disk. That way you can rule that out.
Insert your install disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
(In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first from the installer menu)
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your startup disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window. Where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 15% free space.
Carolyn