Mac OS X Applications keep hanging

Question

Since I updated my iMac to 10.5.6 I am having constant problems with applications that hang. It happens to all sorts of apps out of iLife, iWork and other non-Apple Applicactions, too. Especially, when trying to attach a file in a particular program (lie e.g. uploading a photo in a safari browser window, attaching a file in Mail or others. But it also happens just like that out of the blue when using the particular app.
Force quit does not help! I need to force quit twice before the hanging app actually closes its WINDOW. The app itself does not close properly and remains visibly open in the dock (white light), but can not be accessed any longer. A forced system restart by pressing the ON/OFF button on the iMac is required every time. That is pretty annoying!
I tried fixing permissions, although I believe it has nothing to do with that. Verified my HD, which appears to be ok.
I also started my Mac in single user mode (cmd/s at startup) and fsck -fy, received the message "FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED", repeated the procedure and received the message "SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE OK".
Can someone help me out withi this? Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,
How much available disk space is there?
Right or control click the MacintoshHD icon on your Desktop, then click: Get Info. In the Get Info window, click the discovery triangle so it's facing down. You will see; Capacity and Available Make sure you have 10% available disk space, 15% is better. Not enough disk space can cause apps to crash/freeze.
How long since you've performed any maintenance?
Mac Maintenance Quick Assist
Get Onyx for Leopard; http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/systemdiskutilities/onyx.html
"A multifunction utility for Mac OS X (PowerPC and Intel). It allows you to verify the Startup Disk and the structure of its System files, to run misc tasks of system maintenance, to configure the hidden parameters of the Finder, Dock and of some of Apple’s own applications, to delete caches, to remove a certain number of files and folders that may become cumbersome and more."
Check the boot disk for errors:
Open Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
Select your disk, and click First Aid.Click Verify Disk.
Insert your Mac OS X Install disc in your computer’s optical drive or an optical drive connected to your computer, and then restart your computer. When you hear the startup tone, hold down the C key until you see the progress indicator, which looks like a spinning gear. Follow the onscreen instructions until the menu bar appears with the Utilities menu in it, choose Utilities > Disk Utility, click First Aid, and then click Verify. If DU reports errors, click Repair. When Disk Utility is finished, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Disk. Click MacintoshHD and click Restart.
Check your hard disk’s S.M.A.R.T. status: Open Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.Select the disk in the list at the left, and look at the bottom of the window for a field named “S.M.A.R.T. Status.” Make sure you the word: Verified if not, the drive may be failing.
Carolyn