Spotlight, Spinning color wheel and NOTHING else...help?

Ok. When my computer starts up, I get past the login screen and end up with my background image, no tool bar, no application bar and no icons. All that exists is the spotlight icon in the upper right corner. When I put my cursor there nothing happens but the spinning color wheel.
Any ideas on what is going on? How to fix this? I'm on hold with Apple Care, but figured I'd go this route as well.
Nicole

The spinning on startup? does it go away or stay there?
It usually means the system is checking the file system journal, updating the extensions cache if you installed anything new previously.
On shutdown, it is updating the disk drives with any changes not saved to disk, updating the journal, and updating the volume information block and comparing it to the backup VIB.
But if it never goes away, then we have a problem and need to take steps to repair and verify the disk manually. Ideally, clone the system to another drive for backup, have OS X on another bootable drive for running repairs (more current and easier than the DVD).
Cleaning the boot and extensions cases can help, too.

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HT1349 How to stop spinning color wheel and open macair?

How to stop spinning color wheel so can open Mac air system?

Thanks for your suggestions everyone, however....
I just checked out the activity monitor when FCP was being sluggish. FCP was using only 300mb of real memory, and 1GB of virtual memory, even though there was more or less 1gb of real RAM completely unused. I quit and relaunched FCP, and the sluggishness disappeared. Now it is using 200 odd and 650mb of real and virtual memory respectively, and there's still much the same amount of RAM completely free - this looks like the way FCP genreally behaves, and I have to wonder if the sluggishness has much to do with how much RAM I have - it's not using it all whether it's being sluggish or not. I don't want to spend money on more RAM if I don't need to - is this absolutely definately a RAM issue, seeing as there's still nearly a GB free when it's being sluggish? Or is FCP just using virtual memory when it doesn't have to?
In the manual it says that the memory & cache settings in system settings maintain the performance of FCP by preventing it from using virual memory unneccesarily. It says that limiting the amount of RAM used helps, which seems counterintuitive, the obvious thing would be to turn it up to full. Can anyone tell me the optimum setting for the memory panel in system settings?

MacBook Pro with spinning Color Wheel - and Java?

My MacBook Pro has recently developed a spinning color wheel when it's "thinking". At the same time, my system seems slower now. I have more than 60% storage still available. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. I live in a rather large town and have Comcast Xfinity which is satisfactory and has never gone out.
My other question is regarding JAVA. Is it necessary? What's it for? I constantly get messages that Java need updating …is this something I can remove? If so, how do I do this safely and completely?
Thank you!
Donna

Problem description:
Color spinning wheel and slow MacBook Pro...
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated March 5, 2015 10:56:18 AM CST
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
    MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) (Technical Specifications)
    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1
    1 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
    4 GB RAM
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM0
            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
    Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 265
Video Information: ℹ️
    Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
        Color LCD 1280 x 800
System Software: ℹ️
    Mac OS X 10.7.5 (11G63) - Time since boot: 0:55:42
Disk Information: ℹ️
    TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)
        disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) /Volumes/Recovery HD [Recovery]: 650 MB (95 MB free)
    MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-8A8
USB Information: ℹ️
    Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
    Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
    Apple, Inc. MacBook Pro
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
        /System/Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.sophos.kext.sav (9.2.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.sophos.nke.swi (9.2.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [running]    com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.sophos.uiserver.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]
    [loaded]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.backupstart.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]
User Login Items: ℹ️
    Garmin Express Service    Application (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)
    Garmin Lifetime Map Updater    UNKNOWN (missing value)
    iTunesHelper    Application Hidden (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
    SpeechSynthesisServer    Application (/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks /SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesisServer.app)
    AdobeResourceSynchronizer    Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)
    EpsonLowInkReminderAgent    Application (/Applications/Epson Software/Epson Low Ink Reminder.app/Contents/EpsonLowInkReminderAgent.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1
    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.1.0.0 Release - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]
    Silverlight: Version: 5.0.61118.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
    Flash Player [Click for support]
    Java [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
    Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
         2%    WindowServer
         0%    SystemUIServer
         0%    SophosUIServer
         0%    InterCheck
         0%    SophosWebIntelligence
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
    210 MB    SophosScanD
    185 MB    WebProcess
    172 MB    InterCheck
    94 MB    Safari
    90 MB    SophosAntiVirus
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
    203 MB    Free RAM
    1.60 GB    Active RAM
    1.58 GB    Inactive RAM
    912 MB    Wired RAM
    360 MB    Page-ins
    274 KB    Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
    Mar 5, 2015, 09:59:33 AM    Self test - passed

While using Firefox when I click the mouse or when typing like this I get the Mac spinning color wheel and any action is delayed about 10 seconds.

I'm on an iMac, 10.4, Firefox 3.6.20 and the problem is occurring with greater frequency. When I installed 3.6.20, it ran perfectly for a short time, but now the spinning color wheel happens on almost every mouse click and it makes using Firefox an impossibility. I tried the Apple installed Safari and had no difficulties. It does not occur when I use Thunderbird 2.0.0.17 either. I will appreciate any help because I rely on Firefox. Thanks.

It is possible that there is a problem with the files sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.
Delete the sessionstore.js [2] file and possible sessionstore-##.js [3] files with a number and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.
* Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost, so you will have to create them again (make a note or bookmark them).
See also:
* [1] http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_Restore
* [2] http://kb.mozillazine.org/sessionstore.js
* [3] http://kb.mozillazine.org/Multiple_profile_files_created

My imac keeps giving me a spinning color wheel and hangs up the machine for a few seconds and sometimes minutes. What could be the program and how can i get rid of it?

My imac keeps giving me a spinning color wheel when i open and close applications and also when I am typing in programs. It happens and spins and then releases. I have done the following: Run virus software and found no problems, I have reinstalled the operating system, I have reloaded Iworks software, I have checked system prefrerences and still the problem continues. What could the problem be and how can I correct the problem?

"the spinning wait cursor is displayed automatically by the window server when an application cannot handle all of the events it receives. If an application does not respond for about 2 to 4 seconds, the spinning wait cursor appears."
read how to troubleshoot: http://www.macworld.com/article/151583/2010/05/spinningbeachballofdeath.html

When I open Creative Cloud there is only a thinking wheel and nothing else. I have downloaded it again but still doesn't work. I want Lightroom and it keeps saying I need this to download it.

I have downloaded it again but still doesn't work. I want Lightroom and it keeps saying I need this to download it.

1.If internet is fine then this might be becase of Creative cloud files, please try the steps metioned in http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/unknown-server-error-launchin g-cc.html and see if it works.
2.Please navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/opm.db and trash it. Try to launch CC desktop and sign in with your Adobe Id (http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-f iles.html) .
{Note for step 2: The file is in the user Library, not the Applications folder. To see the hidden user Library (not the system Library) in the Finder click on the Gomenu item and then hold down the Alt / Option key. You will see Library appear between Home and Computer. Click onLibrary and then navigate toApplication Support > Adobe > OOBE.
Alternatively open the Terminal and paste in the following and then press the Enter / Return key:
rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Adobe/OOBE/opm.db, This will also delete the file}
Other related threads:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/5468864 (spinning blue wheel)
http://forums.adobe.com/message/5469306
Hope it works.
Regards,
Rajshree

Gray screen, spinning wheel and nothing else

Man if it ain't one thing its another lol. just recently bought a early 2009 Mac Pro with 12 GB memory, 4 hard drives (total 8TB) stock graphics board and one superdrive (stock) and one pioneer Blue ray drive installed, the system had been running fine until I rebooted last night. I had added the program pathfinder and it was running fine before rebooting so that is the only thing I can think of that I have added to the system since the last reboot. anyway now all i get is the gray screen with the apple in the center and the spinning wheel near the bottom of the screen. I even tried rebooting holding down the "shift" key and the only difference is I got a hollow bar centered near the bottom along with the apple and spinning wheel above it. it started filling in the center and then half way through it went away and once again I was where I was with all the other attempts to boot the system. Can someone give me an idea of what is causing the problem and some possible solutions.
Thank you
Ed

OK I've tried rebooting using the shift key, no luck same gray screen and spinning wheel
tried booting using the cmd+shift= V keys, nothing at all
then I tried cmd+shift= V to watch what was happening dfuring a safe reboot and it came to the line
unable to open: /var/db/bootcache.playlist: 2 no such file or directory
then nothing. I have also disconnected all usb externals while doing all this.
I'm beginning to think that the new (boot) hard drive is having an issue and am trying to figure out how to boot from an external back up of the boot drive.

Spinning color wheel thing?? Help.

I had posted all my problems in one big post. I think it might have been a bit much? So I am posting each problem separately now. Might make things a little easier. So her it goes.
I constantly get that colored spinning wheel when I try and do almost anything. If I click on any link in almost any program or web site it shows that spinning wheel for a while before it lets me continue? Processor problem? This happens a lot!

could be a bad hard drive, consider backing up any important files

Spinning color wheel

What is the best "cleaner for the imac? I get ads for Macsweeper, but is that the best? I keep getting the spinning color wheel and thought purging would help that. Or should I download more space? Thanks!!

Oh no, avoid all those ads.
See if the Disk is issuing any S.M.A.R.T errors in Disk Utility...
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7029
Open Activity Monitor in Applications>Utilities, select All Processes & sort on CPU%, any indications there?
How much RAM & free Disk space do you have also, click on the Memory & Disk Usage Tabs.
Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this happens.
In the Memory tab of Activity Monitor, are there a lot of Pageouts?
https://discussions.apple.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-18666790-125104/AM Pageouts.jpg
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or some USB or Firewire device, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts (Users & Groups in later OSX versions)>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

IMac hangs on spinning color wheel when coming out of screen saver

Since updating to the latest version 10.5.5 my iMac hangs when coming out of screen saver mode with the spinning color wheel and I have to do a hard reboot.
I did some searching and it looks like this was also a problem back with and earlier version of 10.5
I use the pictures screen saver.
Anyone else have this problem since the last update??

Medievalknight wrote:
I was so spoiled from not having to do anything with my iMac but enjoy it that it never occurred to me a little maintenance would be required.
Still compared to the Windows PC's I have around that I have to try and maintain once a day I think the Mac is a killer machine....
You should attend to your iMac. Even the best machines need periodic attention.
Like an iceberg, most of Leopard is "under the ocean" or as we say, "under the hood." There is an extremely powerful BSD OS down there and it is really that, not Leopard per se, that need an occasional "tweak."
Actually there are automatic routines that do much of the hidden maintenance but permissions repair is not one of them.
Again, you do not need to run permissions repair every day. Not even every month, but it's best to do it anytime you install new software - before and after installing the software.
Some, but not all of the issues you see here are the result of not maintaining the computer.

Finder crash - Copying data - spinning color wheel

Hi,
Have posted before. Running OSX 10.5.7 on iMac with 3Gig Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM and 1TB HD.
Basically my issue is that anytime I am making a duplicate copy of data (into a diff folder), I get the rainbow spinning color wheel and it crashes. Usually I am copying larger amounts (above 2GB) but this happens for large or small copies.
I am somewhat new to Mac's, so I'm not sure how to troubleshoot.
I've had the issue since I bought my iMac last summer, and my warranty is up at the end of June. It has been in the Apple Store twice for HW repair, and they replaced the USB portion of the logic board (found that during HW scan), and the second time, found no issues, but I was able to prove it happened so they replaced the logic board and the HD.
Please advise. First time buying a Mac, and I love it.... BUT it crashes more than my PC.
Thanks
~Rishi

Assuming that these crashes are kernel panics, see
What is a kernel panic,
Technical Note TN2063: Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics,
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ,
Resolving Kernel Panics, and
Tutorial: Avoiding and eliminating Kernel panics for more details.
Step one is to run the Apple Hardware Test program that came with the machine. IIRC, restart, holding down the D key, will boot into it. Run the extended tests at least twice. If the hardware passes those, download and run Rember, which does more extended RAM testing.
Once you resolve your crashing issues, see these:
Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacFixIt Tutorials,
MacTips, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition.
Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:
Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

I tried to download some photos from a corrupted CD and now every time I try to open iPhoto the frame pops up but nothing will load. I just get the spinning color wheel. Any ideas???

I tried to download some photos from a corrupted CD and now every time I try to open iPhoto the frame pops up but nothing will load. I just get the spinning color wheel. Any ideas???

What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later:
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

Why does iphoto screen go grey and a spinning wheel in the middle of the page and nothing else

can someone tell me why i always get a spinning wheel in the middle of the page and nothing else when trying to open iphoto

Either the program, the iPhoto Library or the iPhoto preference file is hosed.
First thing is first, backup your user file folders to a external hard drive and disconnect.
The easiest (and most likey the cause of your issue) to fix would be the iPhoto preference file
iPhoto preference file fix
Look in your /Users/Library/Preference for a file like
com.apple.iphotopreferences.plist
or
com.apple.iphoto.plist
and delete it and reboot, restart iPhoto and re-enter your preferences.
If your on OS X Lion, your going to have to use the Finder's "Go To" to get to the Library as it's hidden as in Snow Leopard it's not.
Reinstall iPhoto
If that doesn't resolve your issue and your on Lion, you can redownload the iLife software from the MacAppStore and simply reinstall it, which will overwrite iPhoto and fix it.
If your on Snow Leopard you reboot holding c from the 10.6 grey installer disks (only) that came with your comptuer and simply reinstall OS X 10.6 which will reinstall iPhoto (the 10.6.3 Snow Leopard retail disk doesn't have iLife)
If you purchased iLife from the boxed set, then reinstall it.
If you had iLife from 10.5 and your on 10.6 or 10.7, or got it free with 10.6 and now on 10.7, then your going to have to wait until you try the next step (then extract iPhoto from the installer disk using Pacifist or purchase iLife)
Rebuild iPhoto Library
If that doesn't resovle your issue you can right click (or control click) on the iPhoto Library and "Show Package Contents" inside will be a folder with all your original photo's. Copy these out and move the iPhoto Library out of the Pictures folder and rename it (if you can) so iPhoto can't find it.
Then restart iPhoto and see if it creates a new iPhoto Library, then simply import the pictures from the copy you made.
If it fails to work after this, there is a corrupted picture in your iPhoto, you'll have to repeat the same process with importing a few pictures at a time until you can locate the corrupted ones.

I keep getting a spinning color wheel when I start safari or mail and it holds up my iMac for several minutes. At times I need to do a hard reset as it freezes e everything ... I'm stumped! Software is up to date ... Help!

I keep getting a spinning color wheel when I start safari or mail and it holds up my iMac for several minutes. At times I need to do a hard reset as it freezes e everything ... I'm stumped! Software is up to date ... Help!

den.thed wrote:
John has suggested rebuilding the Mail mailboxes. Once Mail is open, go to: Mailbox on the menu bar and select Rebuild.
As for Safari, is it opening and working if you open it before Mail and what if any Extensions are you using?
OK ... so I just restarted and opened Safari first ... no spinning ball. And I opened mail after hitting the rebuild, well, I'm missing messages from Dec. 24 - now, but it opened right away. Most messages are FB feeds, so it's not like I've lost anything important. So, initial thoughts ... John was a tremendous help, BUT, we shall see what happens when I try to open mail again ... and I'll try it first with the next restart or wake up ... so appreiciate the walk-thru on all of this!

IPod Adapter icon appears and nothing else happens HELP

i got this ipod and all of a sudden a picture (icon) appears on the screen its a picture of a ipod Usb port adapter and nothing else happens its stuck there if anyone knows what to do please help.
Thanx

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Step 1
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left.
Enter "BOOT_TIME" (without the quotes) in the search box. Note the timestamps of those log messages, which refer to the times when the system was booted. Now clear the search box and scroll back in the log to the last boot time when you had the problem. Post the messages logged before the boot, while the system was unresponsive or was failing to shut down. Please include the BOOT_TIME message at the end of the log extract.
Post the log text, please, not a screenshot. If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don’t post many repetitions of the same message. When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into a message.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Edit it out by search-and-replace in a text editor before posting.
Step 2
Still in Console, look under System Diagnostic Reports for crash or panic logs, and post the entire contents of the most recent one, if any. In the interest of privacy, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if present (it may not be.) Please don’t post shutdownStall, spin, or hang logs — they're very long and not helpful.

Spotlight, Spinning color wheel and NOTHING else...help?

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