Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 18, 2012, at 12:45 PM, gifutiger wrote: John, If it is your Spotlight then click on the Spy Glass in the upper right corner and you should see a message that Spotlight is indexing your system. If you have more than one drive then the message will say which drive is being indexed. This is going on constantly, for days (I may have just not paid attention before, maybe it;s new), and when I check SPOTLIGHT it merely hows a blue bar with a blank white window. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
Does such constant HD activity happen with external HD's attached to Windows laptops? Dr. Paul J. Cefola Adjunct Professor, Dept. Of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo (SUNY) Consultant in Aerospace Systems, Spaceflight Mechanics, Astrodynamics 508-696-1884 (Vineyard Haven MA home phone) 978-201-1393 (cell) paulc...@buffalo.edu paul.cef...@gmail.com On 3/19/2012 10:23 AM, JohnV wrote: On Mar 18, 2012, at 12:45 PM, gifutiger wrote: John, If it is your Spotlight then click on the Spy Glass in the upper right corner and you should see a message that Spotlight is indexing your system. If you have more than one drive then the message will say which drive is being indexed. This is going on constantly, for days (I may have just not paid attention before, maybe it;s new), and when I check SPOTLIGHT it merely hows a blue bar with a blank white window. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 11:08 AM, Paul Cefola wrote: Does such constant HD activity happen with external HD's attached to Windows laptops? no idea. However this machine -IS- usually networked with the iMAC (I. 83GHz INtel Core Duo 10.6.8) and both have several HD's attached. If it is your Spotlight then click on the Spy Glass in the upper right corner and you should see a message that Spotlight is indexing your system. If you have more than one drive then the message will say which drive is being indexed. This is going on constantly, for days (I may have just not paid attention before, maybe it;s new), and when I check SPOTLIGHT it merely hows a blue bar with a blank white window. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 8:27 AM, JohnV wrote: On Mar 19, 2012, at 11:08 AM, Paul Cefola wrote: Does such constant HD activity happen with external HD's attached to Windows laptops? no idea. However this machine -IS- usually networked with the iMAC (I.83GHz INtel Core Duo 10.6.8) and both have several HD's attached. It sounds as though your spotlight indexes are corrupt. Here's a good site for fixing problems like that: http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/stopspotlightindex.html Turning off Spotlight can be done, but then it disables the Finder's Find command as well. As Dan mentioned, there;s been numerous discussions of Spotlight in this list, peruse the archives. I've found that the main thing with Spotlight index rebuilding is to leave the computer completely alone while it does this; start the rebuild before you go to bed and let it run overnight. This results in a clean rebuild of the index and metadata database, so that it's less likely to get in your way while you're using the system. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 1:26 PM, Bruce Johnson wrote: It sounds as though your spotlight indexes are corrupt. Turning off Spotlight can be done, but then it disables the Finder's Find command as well. I wouldn;t think I'd WANT to disable SPOTLIGHT if it can work right. As Dan mentioned, there;s been numerous discussions of Spotlight in this list, peruse the archives. Excellent, I haven;t looked before, could you point me there? I've found that the main thing with Spotlight index rebuilding is to leave the computer completely alone while it does this; start the rebuild before you go to bed and let it run overnight. This results in a clean rebuild of the index and metadata database, so that it's less likely to get in your way while you're using the system. 'rebuild spotlight' ... is this in the archives, or is it something I can just ask the system to do under UTILITIES or somesuch? thanks again jv -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 10:35 AM, JohnV wrote: On Mar 19, 2012, at 1:26 PM, Bruce Johnson wrote: It sounds as though your spotlight indexes are corrupt. Turning off Spotlight can be done, but then it disables the Finder's Find command as well. I wouldn;t think I'd WANT to disable SPOTLIGHT if it can work right. As Dan mentioned, there;s been numerous discussions of Spotlight in this list, peruse the archives. Excellent, I haven;t looked before, could you point me there? Go to groups.google.com and in the advanced search put http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list; in the 'group to search' box, and search for 'rebuild spotlight index' I've found that the main thing with Spotlight index rebuilding is to leave the computer completely alone while it does this; start the rebuild before you go to bed and let it run overnight. This results in a clean rebuild of the index and metadata database, so that it's less likely to get in your way while you're using the system. 'rebuild spotlight' ... is this in the archives, or is it something I can just ask the system to do under UTILITIES or somesuch? The link I sent tells you exactly how to do it, as will the group archives. -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 1:26 PM, Bruce Johnson wrote It sounds as though your spotlight indexes are corrupt. Here's a good site for fixing problems like that: http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/stopspotlightindex.html this worked great... or seems to be in the process of doing so. Inside the SPOTLIGHT preferences I 'prevented' all the attached and internal drives, then undid that. It is now indexing, the SPOTLIGHT icon is active, and when I click on that icon it indeed tells me it's doing its job. My FINDER results for searching for certain files has been Hugely Slow and flakey. Now I think I know why. Thanks for this. JV -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
At 10:26 AM -0700 3/19/2012, Bruce Johnson wrote: I've found that the main thing with Spotlight index rebuilding is to leave the computer completely alone while it does this; start the rebuild before you go to bed and let it run overnight. This results in a clean rebuild of the index and metadata database, so that it's less likely to get in your way while you're using the system. Yea. What Bruce said. Snow Leopard and newer are a bit more tolerant to the indexiamos interruptous. Tiger is very intolerant. Set yer machine to not sleep that night, to let the index job run to completion. - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
At 2:25 PM -0400 3/19/2012, JohnV wrote: On Mar 19, 2012, at 1:26 PM, Bruce Johnson wrote It sounds as though your spotlight indexes are corrupt. Here's a good site for fixing problems like that: http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/stopspotlightindex.html this worked great... or seems to be in the process of doing so. Inside the SPOTLIGHT preferences I 'prevented' all the attached and internal drives, then undid that. It is now indexing, the SPOTLIGHT icon is active, and when I click on that icon it indeed tells me it's doing its job. My FINDER results for searching for certain files has been Hugely Slow and flakey. Now I think I know why. Ok. That may work, but it might not. Dragging a volume into the Splotchlight system preferences creates a filter that prevents those items from being returned in results. It *does not* physically erase a corrupted index. So, if that doesn't work, use the mdutil directly, as described in that article and the various threads on this list. (which would be the point of me suggesting you check our archives, in the first place). - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 19, 2012, at 5:29 PM, Dan wrote: this worked great... or seems to be in the process of doing so. Inside the SPOTLIGHT preferences I 'prevented' all the attached and internal drives, then undid that. It is now indexing, the SPOTLIGHT icon is active, and when I click on that icon it indeed tells me it's doing its job. My FINDER results for searching for certain files has been Hugely Slow and flakey. Now I think I know why. Ok. That may work, but it might not. Dragging a volume into the Splotchlight system preferences creates a filter that prevents those items from being returned in results. It *does not* physically erase a corrupted index. hmmnn... So, if that doesn't work, use the mdutil directly, as described in that article and the various threads on this list. (which would be the point of me suggesting you check our archives, in the first place). I got right at the archives and was going through the descriptions of both that and other references to working this through the command- line approach (one that always gets my fear factor working!). So far the system seems to be seriously working on doing things right. The same activity on the drives, but the SPOTLIGHT icon is ALWAYS showing that it knows what;s happening. this NEVER happened before. Fingers Crossed. JV -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
John, If it is your Spotlight then click on the Spy Glass in the upper right corner and you should see a message that Spotlight is indexing your system. If you have more than one drive then the message will say which drive is being indexed. Cheers Harry San Jose, Ca On Saturday, March 17, 2012 8:16:08 PM UTC-7, JohnV wrote: When I have the system on, why would the HD be constantly quietly chattering away to itself? It'll pause and be quiet for 10 sec or so and then start up again. G5 Dual 1.8 GHz 2GB SDRAM 10.4.11 RUNNING APPS: MAIL CALENDAR TEXT EDIT APPLEWORKS 6 ITUNES 8.2.1 -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
At 1:20 AM -0400 3/18/2012, JohnV wrote: mdimport seems to be the one... Ok. Give it time. Once its done the indexing, it should go away. If it persists for more than a few hours, then it might be stuck or the index might be corrupted. Spotlight issues have been covered in quite a few threads on this list. Check the archives. You'll find directions on using mdutil to erase the index and restart it. - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
G5 Constant HD activity
When I have the system on, why would the HD be constantly quietly chattering away to itself? It'll pause and be quiet for 10 sec or so and then start up again. G5 Dual 1.8 GHz 2GB SDRAM 10.4.11 RUNNING APPS: MAIL CALENDAR TEXT EDIT APPLEWORKS 6 ITUNES 8.2.1 -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
On Mar 17, 2012, at 8:16 PM, JohnV wrote: When I have the system on, why would the HD be constantly quietly chattering away to itself? It'll pause and be quiet for 10 sec or so and then start up again. Probably Spotlight doing it's thing. Fire up Activity monitor and watch what's at the top of the activity list during quiet times, nbet it's something called 'mdworker', which is the Spotlight maintenance process. -- Bruce Johnson Wherever you go, there you are B. Banzai, PhD -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
At 11:16 PM -0400 3/17/2012, JohnV wrote: [G5 Dual 1.8 GHz 2GB SDRAM 10.4.11] When I have the system on, why would the HD be constantly quietly chattering away to itself? It'll pause and be quiet for 10 sec or so and then start up again. RUNNING APPS: MAIL CALENDAR TEXT EDIT APPLEWORKS 6 ITUNES 8.2.1 Probably Spotlight's indexing processes. They do their work at low priority, during idle times. Launch Activity Monitor. Set it to update less frequently. View all processes. Sort by %cpu, in descending order. Give it about 15 secs to update a couple of times, and average out the numbers. Then take note of the top processes. The Spotlight processes go by names like mds and mdimport and mdworker etc. - Dan. -- - Psychoceramic Emeritus; South Jersey, USA, Earth. -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
Re: G5 Constant HD activity
mdimport seems to be the one... thanks. On Mar 18, 2012, at 12:03 AM, Bruce Johnson wrote: On Mar 17, 2012, at 8:16 PM, JohnV wrote: When I have the system on, why would the HD be constantly quietly chattering away to itself? It'll pause and be quiet for 10 sec or so and then start up again. Probably Spotlight doing it's thing. Fire up Activity monitor and watch what's at the top of the activity list during quiet times, nbet it's something called 'mdworker', which is the Spotlight maintenance process. -- Bruce Johnson Wherever you go, there you are B. Banzai, PhD -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/ group/g3-5-list -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
