macOS Sequoia 15.7.1 beach balling after login, wallpaper and dock issues

I don't see any of the usual suspects so give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Definitely agree with @rkaufmann87's suggestion to run DriveDx (free trial period). Post the complete text report using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper on the forum editing toolbar. Post the reports for both the Hard Drive & the SSD so I can review it.

FYI, DriveDx doesn't install anything when checking the internal drives. In fact it can be run directly from the Downloads folder.

Edit: Is all of that 64GB of memory from the factory, or did you install a memory upgrade?

Also, run Disk Utility First Aid on the Fusion Drive item & hidden Container. Within Disk Utility you may need to click "View" and select "Show All Devices" before the hidden Container appears on the left pane of Disk Utility. Even if the First Aid summary says everything is "Ok", click "Show Details" and scroll back through the report to see if any unfixed errors are listed.

Apple is not here on this forum. I you wish the community's assistance, then please post the complete EtreCheck report here so we can examine it for possible clues.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting an EtreCheck - Apple Community

We cannot read your EtreCheck report.

For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community It is helpful to us if you download the report to your Desktop.

skipc56 wrote:

<Drive DX.log>

here you go......When I ran it, the reports shows a somewhat healthy derive. Unless you see something.

That was the report for the SSD portion of the Fusion Drive. The SSD is Ok.

You also need to supply the DriveDx report for the Hard Drive portion of the Fusion Drive as well. Just first select the Hard Drive on the left side of the DriveDx app and save the report & attach it just like you did with the SSD report.

Thank you for the report, your computer is now a vintage machine meaning it will not run the latest version of Mac OS, 26. It also is using an internal HD which may have some issues, particularly the beach ball issue. I would download and run DriveDX and pay attention the HD not the internal SSD. If ANY errors appear that means the HD is failing. Considering the age of the computer you may want to consider replacing it with a more up-to-date Mac.

Many users on these forums are stepping away from iMacs and going with Mac Mini's which are extremely powerful and you can customize the display you want. This is something to consider!

skipc56 wrote:

<Driv DX Report.log>

I hope I did it right, I clicked the edit icon to retrieve the report as a test. BTW I have a Time Machine backup. For some reason, if you are allowed to, I can send it a different method if this doesn't work.

You only ended up pasting the file name of the report. You need to open the file, Select All, then Copy & Paste the contents to the "Additional Text" field.

Mac setup for the my iPhone