FASTER RESPONSE FROM keyboard/mouse actions?

Question

1.42 GHz PPC G4, 1GB DDR SD Ram (4200 rph HD)
How can I DECREASE computer RESPONSE action/time to day to day activities?
It is not clear what 'slows down' software/computer responses and causes the spinning balls in relatively simple actions.
My usage is not 'heavy' nor 'complex'; Typically Mail, Safari, FoxFire, Word 2007, TextEditPlus,
QuickTime (music on occasion). Occasionally Adobe Reader and Photoshop Elements. Safari often more spinning balls than others.
By turning OFF USB an external HD with switching Power Supply that helps avoid delays. But what
else can be done?
I choose to stay with Tiger 10.4.11 - and do NOT chose to go to a later version of the OS.
Is there a "faster response" time for later versions of the Mini?
Given that my first Mac was a 400k floppy machine with MacWrite and MacDraw - in relative terms we I do now is like a supersonic jet... but mine needs a booster -
ideas??

Answer 1

Your computer's list of items in-use, per Activity Monitor, tell you
what is running and while these are Active, give an idea of how
much of the computer's configuration (hard/soft-ware) resources
are being used. Also, the Activity Monitor can tell you the load
of Virtual Memory and actual Chip RAM demands of Apps.
The interface of USB mouse and keyboard can act slowed-down
when the computer resources are running loaded. Even with up
to 75% hard disk drive free-space (unused, except for system
use as Virtual Memory and application temp or swap space) my
computer with an 8GB HDD can also, at times, have a slow key-
board and mouse.
If you have more than one browser window open, or run Office
and some other apps at the same time, the overall load on the
Mini G4 (with the 1024MB max RAM installed) can be critical.
The virtual memory write/read cycles to the hard disk drive
increase, and this will also add to a lag when there is a rush
of demand on diminishing resources; plus, a tired old HDD.
Do you occasionally log-out of the main user account and log
back in? This can sometimes help free-up RAM and other use
of system resources, without having to restart the Mac.
How often do you restart the computer, & do you leave it to sleep
when not in use, or do you power it off? Just curious.
As the computer gets older and the hard disk drive more worn,
it may be running warmer and slower; less efficiently and tired,
this lag may be more apparent and point to a need to replace
the internal hard disk drive with a new, larger & better spec unit.
In some instances, there had been a controversy over which was
faster to the computer's processor and RAM (system bus) - be it
a 400 Mbit FW400 external hard disk drive, or a hard disk drive
on the computer's own bus. Some tests, machine series dependant,
showed a variable; with some FW400 enclosures running slower
than the internal computer's hard disk drive.
I've found both slower and faster (depending on the computer)
using an external HDD in FireWire400 enclosure, vs the native
drive; with even a 7200 RPM 250GB HDD running thoroughput
slower than an internal 5400 RPM 80GB drive; but not always.
Do you use a powered USB hub with the peripheral items your
computer is attached to, when running the Mini? For mine, the
better setup was to use powered USB hubs, with the keyboard
plugged directly into the Mac (for startup keyboard combo access)
and the mouse plugged into a port on the powered USB hub.
To note, if there is an issue with this set-up, to troubleshoot the
powered USB hub and have a spare keyboard & mouse available.
Usually, an over-whelmed USB port in a computer will give you a
warning message implying an under-powered state exists, & near
the total possible output of voltage to the USB port is approached.
The USB bus can only support a limited ceiling; there also is a limit
on FW port loads, and devices exceeding that amount will affect all
items on their respective bus. (Example why self-powered is best.)
When you went to the AppleJack download page and clicked on
the link to get the download to start, does your browser show you
a Downloads list and ask you where/how you want the item saved?
I have mine set so I can see any/all items, choose to install them;
& have the .dmg or other image file on the desktop where I can
see it. (In 10.5.8, the default is in a Dock location for Downloads.)
How the browser is set to handle downloads can affect results.
If your computer has been acting oddly, there may be some
kind of file corruption or data corruption causing issues in it.
This link, in Firefox, goes to the download item for AppleJack
directly, in my browser, the default is set and asks me what
I want to do about it. The main option is to accept it and then
it will download to the desktop (Tiger 10.4.11) as a .dmg. It
will not open, and does not display some kind of picture:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/applejack/files/AppleJack/AppleJack-1.6/AppleJac k-1.6.dmg/download
You should make a good backup, a bootable clone of your Mini's
entire hard disk drive contents, test it well, and then consider a
course of maintenance and repair of the internal hard drive; or get
a new replacement hard disk drive and upgrade the Mini with it.
Only 5 interruptions here, in the course of this reply to the question.
(Could be worse; some days they can be hours long; or weeks.
There is a story, non-computer related to the reader, going on.)
{Spindown Fix software has been tested in Mac OS X 10.2.3 only.
The older software suggested, may help if the external is going to
sleep if used as a boot startup volume; since once a external boot
FW goes to sleep, the computer may not see it when it awakens.}
The Mini is sort of like a portable computer, in that the hard drive
gets a thorough work-out and it has limited upgrade capabilities.
So, for a hard disk drive to last 3 to 5 years, is lucky run. At least
the unit isn't being hauled around while asleep, as a 'Book may;
and isn't as likely to be dropped from the lap while it's running...!
+{Yes, it's a long post. Sorta like a Totem.}+
Good luck & happy computing!
edited 2x