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Question

What does the pinwheel of death mean

Aug 6, 2011 5:15AM PDT

I get the pinwheel when I open programs or try to use then. I can't change desktops and, restart can take an hour or more with multiple attempts. Could this be a memory problem.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Possibly, but
Aug 6, 2011 5:40AM PDT

it is more likely to be a failing hard drive.

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Answer
Pin wheel
Aug 6, 2011 7:38AM PDT

Have this problem when I open "Activity Monitor"
Quit by clicking "Command/Option/esc" = Force Quit

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No, they never reply
Aug 6, 2011 11:57PM PDT

but then again, that's not the purpose of those reports.

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Answer
The bulk of the time
Aug 6, 2011 11:26AM PDT

The bulk of the time, it's a failing HDD. It might be exacerbated a bit by low amounts of RAM, but ultimately the probably is almost certainly the HDD.