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ericwass · Oct 24, 2001, 12:57 PM

For some unknown reason typing on my G4 gets unbearably slow. It happens nearly once a day and only stops when I restart. What the hell is going on???? I'm going crazy!

It seems to have started after I put in the PCI card but I don't know. Here's the system:

G4 450 AGP
OS 9.2
512MB RAM
Belkin USB QuadBus PCI card
PacBell DSL/Asante FriendlyNet Router/Alcatel Modem
Umax Astra 1220U Scanner
Epson Photo 750 Printer
OnStream 30GB ADR Tape Drive
QPS Que 4x2x8 CD-RW
Wacom Art Pad II Tablet w/iMate ADB/USB Adapter
Palm V w/Keyspan PDA/USB Adapter
Microtech Cameramate USB SmartMedia reader
Sony DSR-11 VTR on Firewire

zac4mac · Oct 24, 2001, 02:01 PM

Check to make sure your Mac isn't indexing. That can really kill performance. Open Sherlock > find > index volumes > make your choice of if/when to index.
Another possibility is fragmented directory entries. Doing a desktop rebuild will help some, but for a really good job, spend $100 and get Disk Warrior from Alsoft. It's saved my bacon too many times to remember.

Zack

ericwass · Oct 24, 2001, 02:08 PM

Thanks. I don't think it's indexing... I disabled that a while back. But I'll try rebuilding the desktop... maybe even disk warrior too.

Chuck_star · Oct 24, 2001, 02:23 PM

I seem to recall someone with the same problem. I think it was a result of upgrading to 9.2.1. I could be wrong though.

ericwass · Oct 24, 2001, 02:47 PM

That reminds me. I am 9.2.1, not just 9.2
Who knows????

zos · Oct 24, 2001, 03:42 PM

Does it happen after your computer has gone to sleep by chance?

This is a known issue with internal zip drives going to sleep and not waking up correctly. A workaround is to keep a zip disk handy and insert it after waking up or when you notice the slowdown.

I've seen it work on numerous machines.

ericwass · Oct 24, 2001, 03:46 PM

Well, I've disabled full sleep because my USB PCI card won't wake properly from it :mad : . But, now that you mention it, it may occur after HD spindown and monitor sleep. Could that still be?

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: ericwass ]

Leonard · Oct 24, 2001, 03:47 PM

Well, obviously, the first thing is if you think it is the PCI card, take it out and any drivers for it and reboot.

If that isn't it I seen something about a CD/DVD extension slowing down systems - Apple CD/DVD extension version 1.4.7. It seems that some have downgraded this to 1.4.3 or 1.4 and fixed the problem.

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: Leonard ]

ericwass · Oct 24, 2001, 03:52 PM

Hmmm... link was broken. Any idea where I can find the old drivers?

phantomdragonz · Oct 26, 2001, 11:11 PM

i had that same problem and i had a scsi card in. maby that is the key? i have a friend with a scsi card and his slows down also =(

oh well i dont mind really just a restart.

tobster · Oct 27, 2001, 12:56 AM

You have MSN messenger? I had this happen when i was running that... and when somebody sent me a message and i let it stay in the background screaming for me... my computer slowed down in that way (typing) until i gave msn my attention...

just a thought...

(happened in both os 9.2 and os x)

Tobs

sigler · Oct 27, 2001, 12:47 PM

Also, it could be your uMax scanner...I had the same problem. When I disabled the scanner software, it fixed it.

Good luck!

rambo47 · Oct 27, 2001, 01:51 PM

I have had the same problem with a B&W G3 and internal Zip drive. The main bus goes to sleep but doesn't fully awaken. I pop in a Zip disk when it happens and as soon as it mounts the problem is gone. Yes, its a known issue and Apple is reportedly working on a fix for the next update to OS 9x.

ericwass · Oct 27, 2001, 03:03 PM

Well, thank you all for your suggestions. Of course now hasn't happened in a number of days, so I can't test all the different options. But I'm sure it will again... and when it does, I'll let you know what works.
Thanks a lot.

Chimpmaster · Oct 28, 2001, 08:38 PM

Is it in all apps?

I have noticed a similar problem on my ibook, but it seems to be caused by either program compatability or not enough memory.

If I open IE fo x and netscape for x, or omniweb for that matter, my system chokes big time.

However as soon as I close the second broweser app, everything returns to normal.

It can affect other apps such as office and dreamweaver too.

Maybe more memory is the key in my case, but I wonder if there are certain programs that conflict with each other??

ericwass · Oct 30, 2001, 05:38 PM

Well... it seems to be the Zip drive. Sticking a zip in definitely perks up the computer again. Thank you all for your help. But HOW ANNOYING IS THAT!?!?

And how did it develop? Hmmmm....