Very Slow MacPro 3GHz Dual Xeon running Snow Leopard

I upgraded to Snow Leopard when it was released.... at the same time my computer hard drive has started to fill up.... I have currently only 20GB left from an original 500GB HD. My computer has become so sluggish... I can hear the HD constantly crackling... and Photoshop has become a night are to you... I used to have a 60GB scratch disk... but due to two HD's being fried over electrical outages I now have to use my main HD as scratch and I won't be able to free up space until my new DROBO system arrives.
Can anyone tell me if what I'm experiencing is normal for a computer running at nearly total capacity or could this be a more sinister issue involving problem with Snow Leopard and Photoshop CS4.
Any comments most welcome...
Yours sincerely,
Anthony MacCarthy
Irish MacUser and MacAddict

Here are the most likely causes:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10133820&#10133820
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10027247&#10027247
Here are some terminal.app commands to help you find out what files are using up your disk:
to display file size in kilobytes:
sudo cd /;du -I net -d 24 -ck -x * | sort -n -r;echo done
to display file size in gigabytes:
sudo cd /;du -I net -d 24 -cg -x * | sort -n -r;echo done
to display file size in megabytes:
sudo cd /;du -I net -d 24 -cm -x * | sort -n -r;echo done
Kj ♘

Similar Messages

Very Very Sluggish Performance on MacPro 3GHz Dual Xeon ?

I upgraded to Snow Leopard when it was released.... at the same time my computer hard drive has started to fill up.... I have currently only 20GB left from an original 500GB HD. My computer has become so sluggish... I can hear the HD constantly crackling... and Photoshop has become a night are to you... I used to have a 60GB scratch disk... but due to two HD's being fried over electrical outages I now have to use my main HD as scratch and I won't be able to free up space until my new DROBO system arrives.
Can anyone tell me if what I'm experiencing is normal for a computer running at nearly total capacity or could this be a more sinister issue involving problem with Snow Leopard and Photoshop CS4.
Any comments most welcome...
Yours sincerely,
Anthony MacCarthy
Irish MacUser and MacAddict

Didn't anyone tell you, or read, to keep your boot drive lean and mean and 50% free?
Or to use a UPS for your workstation and equipment?
Whether 8GB RAM is enough, or even 2 x 60GB is large enough for scratch...
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/404/kb404440.html
http://macperformanceguide.com/OptimizingPhotoshop-Configuration.html
http://www.macgurus.com/guides/storageaccelguide.php
http://homepage.mac.com/boots911/.Public/PhotoshopAccelerationBasics2.4W.pdf
Things like disabling Spotlight on scratch and boot drive, and of course having more than adequate RAM.
Using a boot drive is always bad, triple so for yours. You should NEVER use a drive with less than 10% free, even more so for a boot drive.
Good reason to have spare drives and two or more backups for everything.
When you can, superduper clone your system to a newly formatted and zeroed drive, and don't put anything on boot drive but the OS and applications. Off load everything else to media and data drive(s).
And get a 1300-1500VA UPS.

My Mac is very slow, after installing mac OS x snow leopard

Hi
I am quite sad to note that the new Mac OS X Snow leopard software is a big let down. After installing i found my mac has become very slow, its taking a long time to process applications and stuff. It does not shut down completely, i get an error message most of the time saying i should press the power button for 5 seconds in order to shut down or off the computer completely.
Please advise should i just go back to the old version or is there a fix to this
Thanks

Did you update your applications as well? Which are slow? How much memory is installed? How full is the hard drive?

I have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and am currently running Snow Leopard 10.6.8. I would like to know which is the most stable upgrade for my model. I have read some reviews of Maverick and Yosemite making the older macs slower. Is this true?

I have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz, 4GB Memory. and am currently running Snow Leopard 10.6.8.
I would like to know which is the most stable upgrade for my model? Mountain Lion, Mavericks or Yosemite?
When I had gone to the apple care centre in India a few months ago to upgrade my OSX to Mountain Lion, I was told that considering my macbook pro's specs, upgrading it would just make it less efficient, and that I should stick to Snow Leopard unless I consider buying a newer mac that would benefit from it. Is this true? I find it a bit hard to believe. Which update is most recommended?
I also notice that my mac has gotten considerably slower. While using chrome, it buffers and struggles with even just 5 tabs open. Could this have something to do with my current ios? As a precaution, I have always been making sure I have enough free space on disk i.e around 70 - 100 free out of 250GB.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Mavericks is no longer available from the App Store, so your choice is Yosemite. One option is to create a new partition (~30- 50 GB), install the new OS, and ‘test drive’ it. If you like/don’t like it it, you can then remove the partition. Do a backup before you do anything. By doing this, if you don’t like it you won't have to go though the revert process.
Check to make sure your applications are compatible.
Application Compatibility
Applications Compatibility (2)

I used Target mode to transfer files to a new iMac running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 from an older Dual core Intel machine (EMC 2105) also on 10.6.8. but originally Tiger 10.4. The operation was successful and I ejected the disk icon from the new machine and po

IS THE SITUATION HOPELESS
I used Target mode to transfer files to a new i7 iMac running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 from an older Dual core Intel machine (EMC 2105) also on 10.6.8. but originally Tiger 10.4. The operation was successful and I ejected the disk icon from the new machine and powered down the old machine. When this was restarted the next day there was a grey screen with flashing Mac symbol alternating with a 'no entry' sign and occasionally a question mark.Keyboard and mouse were unusable so k inserted the original instal disc (No.1 for 10.4. with installer 1.0.4) which came with the machine in 2006 in an attempt to boot from this. The ensuing window said this was not possible and now it cannot be ejected.I have tried everything ! It offers Disk Utility and other options like Terminal but that doesn't work either.I 'repaired disk' and that was pronounced o.k. None of the various keystrokes at start up will work, and the computer will only offer the installer disc continually.The only option would seem to be is to erase the hard drive completely from the disc in the machine.I don't want to do this as there is still material which I need to recover. I think the drive has in some way been corrupted by using it in target mode, and I don't know if there are any other options to try.
Please tell me how to get this disc to eject !

Graham Giles wrote:
Have you seen this type of problem before? I think it could be a serious issue for anyone in a similar position.
No; but then, I've not had occasion to use TDM. I've been using firerwire drives for over 10 years, both FW400 and FW800, with no issues except a bit of instability using a B&W G3 machine.
TDM should be safe. Using cautious, manual copying of files from the Target machine to the Host machine should not result in unexpected loss of files or damage to the Target drive's directories. It should behave exactly the same as if it were an external (to the Host) firewire drive.
• I don't suppose there is anything I can do to 'put back' lost items from a separate Time Machine drive which has an up to date backup on it.
There is probably a way to do that - seems to me that's one of the reasons for a Time Machine volume.
On the other hand, if the Time Machine volume is rigidly linked to the now-absent OS on the original drive, there may be no way to effectively access the files in the TM archive.
I know that using a cloned drive would work well in this instance.
I have no experience with Time Machine, so perhaps someone who has will chime in with suggestions.
With the machine in TDM with the other machine, have you tried running Disk Utility to see if you can effect repairs to the drive?

MacPro 2.5 GHx, Intel Core 2 Duo, running snow leopard 10.6.7 --Firefox asked me to upgrade, that's when troubles began -- when I open FX, get my default page, then it freezes, disallows any page changes, links die, no page scrolling.

Please, I need help! Working on a MacPro 2.5 GHx, Intel Core 2 Duo, running snow leopard 10.6.7 --
Last week, Firefox asked me to upgrade, that’s when my troubles began -- Now when open Firefox, I get my default page, and then it freezes, disallows any page changes, the links die, no page scrolling --
The only unusual aspect to my previous Firefox configuration, was that I installed a NO SCRIPT thing to get past the New York Times paywall — and I don’t understand how to un-install that, assuming that’s the issue --
Have downloaded and re-installed Firefox, don’t think this has helped in any way, HELP please?!? Thanks, george.

That would at least partially explain it.
These MacBook Pros drew more power than the power brick could readily supply, and so would only run at top speed when the power brick was supplemented by the battery.
Though the applicable tech note has been removed, it stated:
"If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adapter alone can provide."

I have a MacPro running Snow Leopard. How ca I update to Mavericks

I have a MacPro running Snow Leopard How can I update to Mavericks

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5842
If you meet the requirements you can download Mavericks from the App Store.

Can I share my CD/DVD drive from my laptop running OS 10.4.11 with my MacPro running Snow Leopard?

Can I share my CD/DVD drive from my laptop running OS 10.4.11 with my MacPro running Snow Leopard?

Hi, no idea if this works in 10.4.x, but...
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2009012605560521
Might have a couple of other ideas if it doesn't.
Hmmmm, looks like 10.5.2 might be required for that, let me know...
http://www.mariasguides.com/2008/02/14/mac-os-x-1052-adds-dvd-or-cd-sharing/

W/ this latest version, getting MANY "the connection was reset" pages, plus VERY VERY VERY slow loading. I'm running Windows 7 on a new Dell. What is up w/ that?

w/ this latest version, getting MANY "the connection was reset" pages, plus VERY VERY VERY slow loading. I'm running Windows 7 on a new Dell. What is up w/ that?
I don't know how else to phrase that. I'm a pretty good user, but after defragging, backing up, and getting rid of a bunch of files that "may" slow down performance of firefox, the fact is, "the connection was reset" comes up five or six times a day--AND the browser is going slow as molasses. I haven't had this much trouble since before I got my new dell.

hello whatagem123, it is never a good idea to stick with outdated versions of firefox just for the sake of addons, as this will put the integrity of your system and your the personal data on it at risk - there are various [https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html known security vulnerabilities (some of them highly critical)] that were fixed in later versions!
so please [[Update Firefox to the latest version]] & [https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/ update your plugins] (your java plugin has security vulnerabilities that are actively and widely exploited on the web).
afterwards i'd recommend resetting firefox - this will keep your bookmarks and passwords but will get rid of most other customizations. this might well fix both the issues you've described in your question...
[[Reset Firefox – easily fix most problems]]

IMac8,1 running Snow Leopard with 64 Bit kernel and dual monitor

I've got an early 2008 Imac with an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro card running Snow Leopard 10.6.3.
When I run the kernel in 64 bit mode the second display turns on and off periodically. Running in 32 bit mode it's fine.
Is this a known issue?

AFAIK, Mac Pro (2006) is EFI32 and is not capable of booting the 64-bit kernel, but the system is fully capable of running 64-bit applications using the 32-bit kernel.
This question can be confusing and context-dependent, and there can be different reasons for asking about the "64-bitness" of the kernel. Particularly whether the application support for 64-bit is available, and whether the kernel itself is 64-bit.
For 64-bit application support. AFAIK, you have that.
For 64-bit kernel support, and the associated requirements for having 64-bit kernel extension (kext) support for your applications, and AFAIK, you don't have that.
See [Mac OS X v10.6: Starting up with the 32-bit or 64-bit kernel (ht3773)|http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3773] for the mechanisms available for Snow Leopard and Snow Leopard Server, if you want to test your current configuration. AFAIK, you have a 32-bit kernel.
You can join the Apple developer program and then download the developer preview of [Mac OS X Lion release|http://www.apple.com/macosx/lion> if you want to learn more about that topic.

How do I install OS 10.7 NOT 10.7.5 on a mac running Snow Leopard 6.8 i.e. where can I find the original install app for Lion OS 10.7.0?

I'm running 10.6.8 Snow Leopard fine on my MacPro1,1, Dual-Core Intel Xeon, 2.66 GHz Mac, but I need to install Lion 10.7.0 to run a program I need.How do I install OS 10.7 NOT 10.7.5, because I get this message when I try to install 10.7.5, which I've downloaded:"This update requires Mac OS X version 10.7." on a mac running Snow Leopard 10.6.8, So i need to install the original 10.7.0 over the 10.6.8 i.e. where can I find the original install app for Lion OS 10.7.0? The original Lion 10.7. is not avaialable for purchase from the App store or anywhere, even C-Net . Where can I find it to purchase?
Also it seems I cannot install Mountain Lion over 10.6.8 as advertised. When I go to purchase I get this message: "We could not complete your purchase. OS X Mountain Lion is not compatible with this computer." I think my computer can handle it (specs above) Are there any workarounds to this?

If you're getting a "This update requires Mac OS X version 10.7" message, than you have the updater and not the full installer. Go to your Purchases section of the Mac App Store and you should see the full version there. But it may be 10.7.5, though in my system is shows as being from 2011 which would appear to be the original version.
As to Mountain Lion, that's supported only on the Early 2008 Mac Pro or newer.
Regards.

TS4185 Just downloaded FACETIME on my 4yr. olf Imac running Snow Leopard. When making a call to my friend's Imac all works correctly going both ways. When my wife calls me via Facetime from her Ipad, I cannot click on "accept"- not there?

Just downloaded FACETIME on my 4yr. olf Imac running Snow Leopard. When making a call to my friend's Imac all works correctly going both ways. When my wife calls me via Facetime from her Ipad, I cannot click on "accept"- not there? When called by the Imac (newest), the "accept" or "reject" radio button appears for me to click and connect. On my wife's Ipad the two radio buttons always appear when a call actiivates Facetime and comes on?
There is nothing I can find in "Preferences" in Facetime to turn that on or off. I suspect it has to do with having a more current operating system; that the "controls" are in the operating system? [I'm guessing] It's frustrating getting Facebook calls from several friends on Ipads! Any ideas...VFP

I suspect it has to do with not having a more current operating system
Exactly, what Apple is doing is leveraging new features only on newer OS X versions to force you to upgrade OS X to 10.7 or later.
What they don't tell you is 10.7 or later will NOT run your PowerPC based software, some of it you can't get Intel versions like for perfectly working printers, scanners and games etc. So it can be a very expensive OS X upgrade to 10.7 or later with third party software.
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table
Also they don't tell you is the risk in bricking your machine if the update goes badly, so you have to have AppleCare in case that occurs so it's on them to fix it. Else your paying money to replace the logicboard or buying a new machine prematurely.
A four year old machine can't have AppleCare, it's only good for 3 years from date of purchase new.
Your machine came with a boot hard drive, it's usually got about 4-5 years of life on it, then it needs to be replaced.
Also they don't tell you the newer OS X version has more abilities and features that causes your machine to slow down in performance, especially on older machines.
Also they implement new, idotic and extremely fustrating new user interface features in a arbitrary "you take it or leave it" manner with little or no fall back method.
So upgrading OS X is a gamble on older machines that otherwise would likely work perfectly fine for the next 5 years if one didn't need to have to mess with it.
Since Snow Leopard has slightly over 25% OS X version market share, your still good for security updates etc for the next few years if you just want to stay where your at and be happy.
OS X 10.4/10.5 need to upgrade, 10.6.8 ok still
The Lions are, well, not so welcome due to Scott Forstall retard UI issues, OS X Mavericks 10.9 is likely going to fix things a bit better.
But basically what is occuring is Apple is trying to force a faster hardware upgrade cycle with the more expensive products by leveraging features on the smaller devices that expire sooner.
Apple is a hardware company that leverages whatever it can to get you to buy more hardware, it's why they are as rich as they are.

Why can't I upgrade to yosemite? I'm currently running snow leopard on my white macbook.

Why can't I upgrade to yosemite? I'm currently running snow leopard on my white macbook.

White MacBooks are NOT eligible to upgrade to either 10.8 Mounain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks or 10.10 Yosemite.
You maybe able to upgrade your white MacBook to OS X 10.7 Lion
OS X Lion system requirements
To use Lion, make sure your computer has the following:
An Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later to install via the Mac App Store (v10.6.8 recommended)
7 GB of available disk space
2 GB of RAM
You can purchase a OS X 10.7 Download code here.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion
Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.
Next,
If you run any older Mac software from the earlier PowerPC Macs, then none of this software will work with the newer OS X versions (10.7 and onward). OS X Snow Leopard had a magical and invisible PowerPC emulation application, called Rosetta, that worked seamlessly in the background that still allowed older PowerPC coded software to still operate in a Intel CPU Mac.
The use of Rosetta ended with OS X Snow Leopard as the Rosetta application was licensed to Apple, from a software company called Transitive, which got bought out, I believe, by IBM and Appe could no longer secure their rights to continue to use Rosetta in later versions of OS X.
So, you would need to check to see if you have software on your Mac that maybe older than, say, 2006 or older.
Also, check for app compatibilty here.
http://roaringapps.com/
If you have any commercial antivirus installed and/or hard drive cleaning apps installed on your Mac, like MacKeeper, CleanMyMac, TuneUpMyMac, MacCleanse, etc. now would be a good time to completely uninstall this apps by doing a Google search to learn how to properly uninstall these types of apps.
These types of apps will only cause your Mac issues later after the install of the new OS X version and you will have to completely uninstall these types of apps later.
Once you have determined all of this, you should be able download OS X 10.7 Luon from the Mac App Store icon in the OS X Dock and then login to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID and password.
You can then begin the download and installation process by using the paid download code to Download and install OS X 10.7 Lion rom the Mac App Store.
Good Luck!

HP2015D & Airport Dual Extreme on Snow Leopard drops all the time

I have a HP2015D laserjet (driver 16.1) connected by USB to an Airport Dual Extreme (v7.4.2) running Snow Leopard 1.6.2. All drivers and software are up-to-date. This printer used to drop very occasionally on Leopard, but on Snow Leopard it drops every 30 minutes or so, if not sooner. I have to restart the printer. There are 3 MacBooks on this network. Everyone can see the printer but can't print when it drops. Every time Apple upgrades the HP printer drivers, the dropping just gets worse. In the past this has been an Airport driver issue. Any ideas or comments as there is no sense in replacing the printer if it is Airport.

Is it likely that my Airport base station (which is probably over 5 years old) has just come to the end of its life cycle? I'd happily buy the new Extreme base station, but I'm concerned that I'll come across the same problems.
Although there is really no way to predict if new equipment will completely resolve the problem, there is a good chance that it will. Electronics, especially those that are meant to operate 24/7, typically have a service "life" of 3-5 years. Of course, there are cases that would support less or more time than that.
If you have already exhausted things like looking/resolving for Wi-Fi interference, resetting the device, etc, you may only have the option available: replace your equipment.
As far as recommendations, my suggestion is to first jot down all of your networking requirements. Examples would be: ADSL/DSL/cable/Satellite-capable? Wired, wireless, or both clients? NAT? DHCP? File/Print server? Capable of being extended? 802.11 radio modes supported? Encryption standards supported? Does it support UPnP? VoIP? etc.
Once you come up with a comprehensive list, then check out with manufacturers provide products that meet most (or all) of them. This should help you decide.

I have an IMAP mailbox that seems to only show mail 7 days old on my iMac running Snow Leopard.However, all old emails that I have not deleted are showing up on my macbook pro running the next OS (Lion?). How do I get all my old emails back on my iMac?

I have an IMAP mailbox that seems to only show mail 7 days on my iMac running Snow Leopard. However, on my MacBook Pro I can see all old mail that I have not deleted. It is running the next operating system (Lion?). Does anyone know how I can get all my old mail back on my iMac. It is my primary computer and I need some of those old messages. I have tried to rebuild the mailbox but it has not done anything.

I have tried to rebuild the mailbox to no avail. The mailbox behavior says: Drafts (not checked) store draft messages on the server, Notes (checked) show not in Inbox, Sent (checked) Store sent messages on the server Delete sent messages when (option never selected), Junt (not checked) store junk messages on the server Delete junk messages when (option never selected), Trash (checked) moves deleted messages to the Trash mailbox and (checked) store deleted messages on the server Permanently erase deleted messages when (one month old option selected).
I have not set up any rules that I know of other than a signature, in the very least I have not changed any.

Very Slow MacPro 3GHz Dual Xeon running Snow Leopard

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