Spinning Maze Mac OS

The spinning wait cursor or spinning disc pointer— where your mouse pointer becomes the rotating color wheel or 'spinning beach ball' seen above — generally indicates that your Mac® is engaged in a processor-intensive activity. For example, applying a Gaussian blur to an image in Adobe® Photoshop® is a processor-intensive activity. Depending on what you’re doing in OS X, your mouse cursor can turn into a rainbow colored spinning beach ball, a blue spinning beach ball, and in some rare instances, a ticking watch.

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Note

Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.

Symptoms

When you try to open a PowerPoint for Mac presentation or application it either hangs with spinning wheel or does not open at all.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow steps in this article.

Step 1: Check Hard Disc name

Check to ensure the Hard Drive icon has a name to it. The name should not be all numbers but can have numbers in it as along as the name starts with a text character(s). There should be no special characters like, periods, commas, semi-colons, quotes, etc.

  1. Quit all applications.
  2. On the Go menu, click Computer. Your hard drive should be listed. The common name of the hard drive is 'Macintosh HD'. E.g. 'Mac HD 1' <without quotes is appropriate> '1 Mac HD' <this is not an appropriate name as the number 1 appears at the start of the name>.
Maze

To rename your hard disk:

  1. Click to select the hard disk.
  2. On the File menu, click Get Info.
  3. In the Name & Extension type or edit the name. For example, type Macintosh HD.
  4. When done, click the red circle button on top.

Step 2: Move AutoRecovery files

Important

The location of certain files are different if you have Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed. To check if it is installed, open PowerPoint, and then click About PowerPoint from the PowerPoint menu. If the version number is 14.2.0 or above, you have Service Pack 2 and you should follow the Service Pack 2 steps when provided in this article.

If there are too many PowerPoint items in this folder userDocumentsMicrosoft User DataOffice 2008 AutoRecovery or Office 2011 AutoRecovery these files will load into memory when Powerpoint launches and can cause memory issues as well as file save issues.

Move AutoRecovery files to the Desktop or another folder to see if they are causing the problem.

Roadblocks game ipad. To empty the AutoRecovery folder, follow these steps if you have version 14.2.0 (also known as Service Pack 2) installed:

  1. Quit all applications.

  2. One the File menu, click New Folder. A new folder is created on the desktop. The folder will be called 'New Folder.'

  3. On the Go menu, click Home.

  4. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  5. Open Application Support, and then open Microsoft.

  6. Open Office 2011 AutoRecovery.

  7. On the Edit menu, click Select All.

  8. Drag all files into 'New Folder' on the desktop.

    The AutoRecovery folder should be empty.

  9. Open Excel for Mac 2011 and try to save a file.

    If you can save a file, review the contents of 'New Folder' to decide which files that you want to keep.

If the problem continues to occur, go to the next method.

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To empty the AutoRecovery folder, follow these steps if you do not have Service Pack 2 installed:

  1. Quit all applications.

  2. On the File menu, click New Folder. A new folder is created on the desktop. The folder will be called 'New Folder.'

  3. On the Go menu, click Documents.

  4. Open Microsoft User Data, and then open Office 2011 AutoRecovery.

  5. On the Edit menu, click Select All.

  6. Drag all files into 'New Folder' on the desktop.

    The AutoRecovery folder should be empty.

  7. Open Excel for Mac 2011 and try to save a file.

    If you can save a file, review the contents of 'New Folder' to decide which files that you want to keep.

If the problem continues to occur, go to the next method.

Spinning Maze Mac Os Pro

Step 3: Remove PowerPoint Preferences

Note

If you have used the software at all on this computer then removing the preferences may reset any customizations that you have made. These customizations include changes made to toolbars, custom dictionaries and keyboard shortcuts that have been created.

  1. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  2. On the Go menu, click Home.

  3. Open Library.

    Ultimate youtube night remastered demo mac os. Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  4. Open the Preferences folder.

  5. Look for a file that is named com.microsoft.powerpoint.plist.

  6. If you locate the file, move it to the desktop. If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

  7. If you locate the file and move it to the desktop, start PowerPoint, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit PowerPoint, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.powerpoint.plist file to the trash.

  8. Quit all Microsoft for Mac programs.

  9. On the Go menu, click Home.

  10. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  11. Open the Preferences folder.

  12. Open the Microsoft folder.

  13. Look for a file that is named com.microsoft.powerpoint.prefs.plist.

  14. If you locate the file, move it to the destop. If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

  15. If you locate the file and move it to the destop, start PowerPoint, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit PowerPoint, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.powerpoint.prefs.plist file to the trash.

  16. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  17. On the Go menu, click Home.

  18. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  19. Open the Preferences folder.

  20. Open the Microsoft folder.

  21. Open the Office 2008 or Office 2011 folder.

  22. Look for a file named PowerPoint Toolbars (12) or Microsoft PowerPoint Toolbars.

  23. If you locate the file, move it the desktop. If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

  24. If you locate the file and move it to the desktop, start PowerPoint, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit PowerPoint, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the PowerPoint Toolbars (12) file to the trash.

If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Create a New User Account

Sometimes, a user's specific information may be corrupted. To determine if this is the case, you can log on as a new user or create a new user account, and then test an application.

If the issue occurs even in new user account, proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Test saving the file in Safe Mode

For information on how to enter Safe Boot in Mac OS, seePerform a clean startup (Safe boot) to determine whether background programs are interfering with Office for Mac.

If you are able to save in Safe Mode, then the problem most likely related to programs that are running in the background.

Spinning Maze Mac Os X

You can call it ‘spinning wheel,’ you can call it ‘beach ball,’ you can call it ‘wheel of death’ or any other way you like. The thing is, whatever you name it, the result will be the same – a slower MacBook Pro or Air, iMac or Mac mini. A spinning wait cursor (an official name) can easily drive most of the users mad. Instead of breaking your Apple computer against the wall in rage, try to find out the main cause of the problem without losing your temper and then solve it ASAP.

For starters, we’ll remind that spinning wheel stands for an app trying to cope with more operations than it can at a time. It usually happens to different browsers like Safari, Google Chrome, or Mozilla. It is not necessarily the fault of weak/slow Internet connection.

If you’re lucky, you will observe the beachball for a minute or just several seconds. In other situations, it may show up over and over again. Sometimes, it gets endless so that a Mac owner has nothing else to do except for force quitting the hung app or restarting the device. Of course, the entire data is lost this way. That is why a spinning wheel is also dangerous in addition to being matchlessly irritating. In any case, a beach ball on your screen means that the software is closing the processing tasks to free up space and memory for the new commands. When the application becomes fully unresponsive, it hangs, making the user worried or sleepy. It depends on how urgent the tasks are.

Both Apple native utilities and third-party cleaners provide Mac maintenance. Basically, keeping your Mac clean and healthy is the only sure-fire way to get rid of the Spinning Beach Ball of Death (SBBOD). Many Mac owners treat it as the cause of some larger problem. But it is not actually true. The beach ball is a symptom of the “disease,” and you should know the primary cause(s) to fix it properly and on time.

Spinning Maze Mac OS

Purchasing a new machine is the measure of last resort. A user may need it once the processor is dead, but it’s not the case with the beach ball.

There are plenty of reasons why Mac slows down, and its owner starts seeing the annoying spinning wheel of death on its screen – e.g., a huge number of startup items, resource-hungry apps running in the background or filled hard drive. Of course, some users can spend some money on new RAM or SSD, but what about people who do not want to start with extra expenses?

In the next section, take a closer look at the possible ways to fix problems associated with the beach ball.

First and Foremost Steps to Get Rid of the Spinning Color Wheel Issue

Are you stuck on Apple logo and spinning wheel? Both Mac OS X and macOS can experience problems associated with the rainbow-colored pinwheel/circle. Below you can find a list of the possible ways to fix problems that could lead to the never-ending turning spinning beach ball on your screen.

Method #1: Uninstall useless apps and extensions

You can do that by simply dragging and dropping them to Trash. Preferably, you also should clear out app-related stuff that may stay on your Mac even after you remove unneeded software. Usually, it lurks in the Library folder and contains the name or the acronym of the app or its developer in the title.

To speed up the process, you can make use of specially designed cleaning apps that will do the job in your place.

Method #2: Free up some disk space

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Many ways to free up the disk space on Mac exist. With the help of Activity Monitor, search for the largest and outdated files on your Apple computer. You may also look for the duplicates with the help of the third-party cleaner of your choice. Other types of junk include temporary files, login items, startup items, cache, cookies, downloads, etc.

Method #3: Re-index Spotlight

Spotlight is something that allows searching for the files you store on your Mac. The utility creates and maintains the index. Sometimes, it appears to be corrupted. Thus, take the recommended steps to fix it:

  • Select Apple menu and go to System Preferences. There you will find Spotlight.
  • Pick the Privacy tab.
  • Drag the target item you wish to index once more to the locations list that Spotlight cannot research. An alternative is to select a plus button and pick the desired folder/disk.
  • From this list, pick the folder/disk you have added recently. After that, push the minus button to replace it.
  • Shut down System Preferences. The spotlight will re-index the contents of the folder/disk.

Setting up a third-party cleaner might be an excellent solution for those who do not possess enough skills and experience to erase useless files or choose extra RAM/SSD/HDD. Working with utilities like Terminal may be risky for the newbies, so it is better to decide on the special cleaning tool.

However, if you decide to buy extra RAM, be ready that only advanced users can install it properly. Otherwise, you’d better contact an Apple Store or an authorized service center to have RAM installed.

As far as Safari is the most popular browser among Mac owners being set by default, it would be useful to dedicate a separate block to solving the problem with its spinning wheel. After the upgrade to macOS Sierra or High Sierra, you may notice that the browser is hanging up too often. There is nothing left except for the Force Quit option.

Force Quit is not the best decision as the browser may finally fail. A smarter way out is to follow this step-by-step instruction for Mac users to test Safari’s work and fix the issue.

  1. Start with erasing caches.
  • Shut down all windows and stop the apps.
  • Push the Option key and pick Go in the Finder application.
  • From the drop-down menu, choose Library. Go to Library → Caches →apple.Safari
  • Right-click the com.apple.Safari and choose Move to Trash.
  • Shut down the windows. Restart Safari.
  1. Eliminate com.apple.Safari.plist.
  • Start with the backup with the help of TimeMachine, iCloud, or other available options.
  • Pick Empty Trash.
  • Stop all apps.
  • Push the Option button and select Go in Finder window.
  • Pick Library form the offered menu.
  • Move this way: Library → Preferences →apple.Safari.plist
  • Right-click and choose Move to Trash.
  • Reboot the computer and restart the target browser. Pick Start Using Safari link.
  1. In case this method proves ineffective, restore com.apple.Safari.plist from Trash. To do so, take the following steps:
  • Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock. Choose Open.
  • Right-click the com.apple.Safari.plist and pick Put Back.
  • Select Replace.
  • In case your preferred browser rejects loading a page/website or its items are not available, read Apple’s troubleshooting guides for Safari here and here.

We hope, this article will help you resolve your issues, and you will be seeing the rainbow-colored ball on a sunny beach but not on the screen of your Mac!