10 sec here, 15 sec there, never got this before with older 2016 imac, same hardrive same everything. The beachballs are annoying, daily, but not so bad. was running fine on the 2016 imac 27” with no beachball issue. The million dollar question John, is why with all this… same hardrives. But from what “J” said, his suggestion of a “nuke & pave” reinstall, including the external drives, sounds as if it is several years overdue and needs to be done before the system collapses completely. Without access to a complete Etrecheck Pro report file, I have nothing to base any opinion on one way or the other. It does this tens of thousand of times per day. Instead, it has to search through 3 different hard drives, one running 10 times slower, and the other running 100 times slower, installed on three different operating systems. The operating system expects all of its apps and data to be designed for macOS Monterey and installed on the internal SSD running at 3000 MB/s.

All of those old apps and ancient data busses are simply too slow. Therefore, any performance problems you are experiencing are due to normal operating system behaviour. Your EtreCheck report does not show any performance problems. This particular drive seems to be “close” to a Canon D530/560 device and a Logitech MX518 Gaming Mouse.

Perhaps some ports are USB 3 and some ports are USB 2. All of your USB hubs are identified as “VIA Labs, Inc.”. It is difficult to understand and show, so I don’t show it. There is some internal data in the EtreCheck report regarding USB hubs. Until the USB 2.0 devices are eliminated, including any USB 2.0 cables, port adaptors, and hubs, there is no possibility of getting rid of the beach balls. However, this clearly shows USB 2.0 hubs and devices and which limits the speed to 1.5 Gbps. However, they will show in some third-party application such as Disk Map Analyzer, TinkerTool System, or Etrecheck. For security reasons, Apple has made those folders invisible. You won't see any of the other folders in Finder. maybe I could get you the Etra report too i Joe, did see those links / screenshot, that is the configuration too no? He is not clear on what could/ should do pertaining to the externals.

I think the 10 port hub is USB, confirming now with the company. It not clear which of my 3 external are usb 2 or 3. Ok he is saying though that the 2 new Seagates bought, have apps and an os.? I don't see any of that. JOe, thanks, will be going with your advice! I don't even see Virtural Box in app folder! Maybe I tested it years ago, not never.

For mac instal IRA