Level 1

9 points

iMac 2019 experiencing slow startup and app issues

I'm having big problems lately.

Items in the dock keep bouncing for a long time before opening this morning, and Safari never did open.

So I had to restart my iMac 2019 (sequoia 15.7.2). For a long time now re-starting my iMac takes 30 minutes or longer.

The bouncing problem has been going on for a long time now

Double problem! Some time ago an agent had me reinstall the operating system and I really don't remember if that really helped or not. I keep paying for Applecare but I'm not sure about these newer iMac chips. I've heard that possibly some of my software won't work with these new iMacs?

With Apple Care I'm not sure if it will cover a new iMac though.

Is there any way to solve this?

Thanks

Allen

iMac 27″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Nov 28, 2025 3:21 AM

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 7

32,153 points

Posted on Nov 29, 2025 7:16 PM

How to fix a split Fusion Drive - Apple Support

❝ If you're not sure that your Mac was configured with a Fusion Drive, or that the drive has been split, disconnect any external storage devices from your Mac, then open the storage overview:

In macOS Ventura or later, choose Apple menu  > System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then click Storage on the right.
In earlier versions of macOS, choose Apple menu  > About This Mac. Then click Storage.

If you see a drive labeled Fusion Drive, your Fusion Drive is working and this article doesn't apply to you.

If you have a Fusion Drive that has been split, you should see two drives. One of them should be labeled Flash Storage, with a capacity of 24GB, 32GB, or 128GB. The other should be at least 1TB. ❞

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26 replies

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 29, 2025 5:40 AM in response to Owl-53

So how would I confirm that? Have to take the iMac to the Apple store?

Nov 29, 2025 5:55 AM in response to Owl-53

Owl-53 wrote:

Sorry if I butt in here

But is it not a bit premature to arrive at the conclusion the Drive has failed

Agree.

Probably getting ahead of things here.

Carry on. 🙂

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 29, 2025 7:21 AM in response to Owl-53

EtreCheck Report 11/29/25 From Allen Zagel

Here's the Etrecheck report.

Allen

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Nov 29, 2025 7:26 AM in response to allenz

Thank you.

I do invite ALL others appearing in your question to chip in on this

The more eyes, the better 👍

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 30, 2025 4:23 AM in response to HWTech

Here's the DriveDx reportas well as the system settings & Storage

Allen

[Edited by Moderator]

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 1, 2025 5:18 PM in response to Owl-53

Here's for Disk 1

Allen

1-DriveDxReport

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 1, 2025 5:19 PM in response to allenz

Here's for #2

Allen

2-DeiveDxR

allenz Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 2, 2025 3:32 AM in response to allenz

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Dec 2, 2025 3:42 AM in response to allenz

We have seen these images before

The only difference between Now 654 GB and versus Then 635 GB

The drive is using 19 GB More Space

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Nov 29, 2025 5:25 AM in response to allenz

Sorry if I butt in here

But is it not a bit premature to arrive at the conclusion the Drive has failed

In both versions of iMacs for 2019 there is the possibility the Fusion Drive ( if configured with one ) has become Un-Fused

Meaning the Rotational Drive and the SSD Drive are no longer presented to the OS as One Drive

HWTech

Level 9

68,426 points

Nov 29, 2025 6:46 PM in response to allenz

allenz wrote:

<EtreCheck Report 11/29/25 From Allen Zagel.log>

Here's the Etrecheck report.

Allen

@Yer_Man is most likely correct that the Hard Drive portion of the Fusion Drive is failing since those drive speeds are terrible. You also have some software issues that I will let the others handle (MalwareBytes, VPN, maybe something else since I just skimmed it).

You can run DriveDx (free trial period) to confirm the health of the Hard Drive. Post the complete DriveDx text report here for the Hard Drive (may as well post one for the SSD as well) using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper on the forum editing toolbar. I am confident that @Yer_Man was correct in their guess of a failing Hard Drive, but sometimes people want further confirmation.

iMac 2019 experiencing slow startup and app issues