green jean

Q: can my time capsule 802.11n (4th gen) affect performance?

for several months i have been having trouble with what i think is excessive read/writing and a slowdown creating the dreaded beachballs.  i especially have trouble when safari is open. 

 

can my time capsule cause these symptoms?  about a week ago i got a message that i was not connected to the internet even though i had just been using it.  i called my isp (wow) thinking they were down.  the rep said that they weren't having trouble, but he was getting a week signal from my router (time capsule). 

 

in the last few days i have been experiencing beachball delays on my laptop, which uses my home wifi.  i have not had trouble with my laptop before, only my intel imac.

 

when i run the airport utility, it tells me that my time capsule is ok.

 

is it possible that a failing time capsule is causing my problems?  i bought the time capsule in early 2012.

 

here is my etrecheck report, if this helps.

 

Hardware Information:

          iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)

          iMac - model: iMac11,3

          1 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4 cores

          4 GB RAM

 

Video Information:

          ATI Radeon HD 5750 - VRAM: 1024 MB

 

System Software:

          Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Uptime: 0 days 3:46:9

 

Disk Information:

          WDC WD1001FALS-40Y6A0 disk0 : (931.51 GB)

                    (null) (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB

                    Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 931.19 GB (702.51 GB free)

 

          OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H 

 

USB Information:

          HP Photosmart Prem C410 series

 

          Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

 

          Fitbit Inc. Fitbit Base Station

 

          Bose Corporation Bose USB Audio

 

          Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

 

          Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

                    Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

 

          Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

 

          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

 

FireWire Information:

          Seagate GoFlex Desk Mac 800mbit - 800mbit max

                    (null) (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB

                    FreeAgent GoFlex Drive (disk1s2) /Volumes/FreeAgent GoFlex Drive: 1.82 TB (1.56 TB free)

 

Thunderbolt Information:

 

Kernel Extensions:

          com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore          (5.0.3)

          com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5          (5.0.3)

 

Startup Items:

          HP Trap Monitor: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP Trap Monitor

 

Problem System Launch Daemons:

          [System] org.samba.winbindd.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

Launch Daemons:

          [invalid] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

          [invalid] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

          [invalid] .SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

          [System] .SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

          [System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [invalid] com.dymo.pnpd.plist

          [System] com.fitbit.galileod.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

Launch Agents:

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents/MacOS/TOC Generator

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents/MacOS/TOC Generator

          [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

          [System] .SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                    /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents/MacOS/TOC Generator

          [System] .SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

          [System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Launch Agents:

          [not loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.akamai.single-user-client.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

          [not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Login Items:

          iTunesHelper

          AdobeResourceSynchronizer

          Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper

          WeatherBug Alert

          HP Product Research

          HPEventHandler

 

Internet Plug-ins:

          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.9 3rd-Party support link

          OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 3rd-Party support link

          Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.9 3rd-Party support link

          WidevineMediaOptimizer: Version: 6.0.0.12607 - SDK 10.7 3rd-Party support link

          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

          .SM.gul.lk.AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: Version: Unknown

          RL Secure Plug-In Layer: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          DYMO Safari Addin: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6

          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

          Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 3rd-Party support link

          AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101750: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

          DYMO NPAPI Addin: Version: 1.0 3rd-Party support link

          Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.0.11 3rd-Party support link

          SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.0.0.4 3rd-Party support link

          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

          WacomNetscape: Version: 1.1.1-1 3rd-Party support link

 

iTunes Plug-ins:

          Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.2

 

User Internet Plug-ins:

          UploadManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 3rd-Party support link

          ContentManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          RocketEngine: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

 

3rd Party Preference Panes:

          Akamai NetSession Preferences  3rd-Party support link

          Flash Player  3rd-Party support link

          Flip4Mac WMV  3rd-Party support link

          WacomTablet  3rd-Party support link

 

Old Applications:

          Classic Timer:          Version: 1.2 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

 

Time Machine:

          Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.

 

Top Processes by CPU:

               2%          EtreCheck

               1%          WindowServer

               1%          hpdot4d

               1%          plugin-container

               0%          Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper

 

Top Processes by Memory:

          381 MB          WebProcess

          328 MB          firefox

          176 MB          Safari

          139 MB          mds

          78 MB          WindowServer

 

Virtual Memory Information:

          1.72 GB          Free RAM

          1.44 GB          Active RAM

          414 MB          Inactive RAM

          432 MB          Wired RAM

          867 MB          Page-ins

          0 B          Page-outs

 

thank you for your help.

intel imac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), pc user bought imac; 160g click wheel ipod

Posted on Mar 19, 2014 9:06 AM

Close

Q: can my time capsule 802.11n (4th gen) affect performance?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Mar 19, 2014 10:41 AM in response to green jean
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Mar 19, 2014 10:41 AM in response to green jean

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5532 check your Java is up to date with this tip.

     

    Verify Classic Timer is designed to work with 10.6.8 by contacting the developer, and ask them how to remove it if it is not.

     

    Only use the backing up to the Time Capsule when you are not doing any other tasks.  Your Time Machine System Preference lets you manually operate Time Machine.

  • by green jean,

    green jean green jean Mar 19, 2014 3:56 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 19, 2014 3:56 PM in response to a brody

    thank you, a brody.  i have updated my java and checked classic timer. 

     

    i understand what you are saying about controlling when to back up.  but, my time machine backs up to an external hard drive.  i use the time capsule for my home wifi and to back up my laptop via the wifi.  i was wondering whether the time capsule could be giving me problems in its role as a router because my isp had said at one point that it was getting a weak signal from the router.  sorry, i didn't make myself clear. 

     

    i am writing using firefox as my browser.  i'll go back now and try out safari with the java update to see whether performance is improved.

     

    in the mean time, what do you think about the router question?

     

    thanks

  • by MiiCK,

    MiiCK MiiCK Mar 19, 2014 3:58 PM in response to green jean
    Level 1 (120 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 3:58 PM in response to green jean

    You have a lot of third party items loaded on the mac. If you want, follow these steps and your mac will be running nice and smooth once more.


    Open the Finder

    Click 'Go' at the top of the screen

    Select 'Go to Folder...'

    Type: ~/Library and hit 'Go'

     

    Navigate to the following folders (scroll down the list & double clicking to enter inside them)

    Once inside the folder, on your keyboard press CMD+A (to highlight all items blue) and then CMD+Backspace

    This will remove the items from the folders and thus speeding up your mac. Don't worry, these are all system files and not vital to the operation of your mac, and no user data will be erased.

     

    ~/Library/Caches

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents

    ~/Library/Input Methods

    ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins

    ~/Library/Saved Application State

     

    Once you have done the following folders, you need to navigate to a different part of the system so do as follows...

     

    Open the Finder

    Click 'Go' at the top of the screen

    Select 'Computer'

    Double-click 'Macintosh HD' (or the name of your primary hard drive)

    Double-click 'Library'

    Enter the following folders and do the same, CMD+A, CMD+Backspace (highlight all then remove all)

    Upon pressing CMD+Backspace you will be asked for your mac's administrator password

     

    /Library/Caches

    /Library/LaunchAgents

    /Library/LaunchDaemons

    /Library/StartupItems

     

    Once they have been emptied, you should empty the trash (click the icon and press empty at the top right)

    You will get some error messages when emptying the trash, this is normal, just keep clicking 'continue'

     

    Now, click the Apple Logo (top left of screen)

    System Preferences

    Accounts / Users & Groups

    Login Items (top right)

    Remove everything from this box (DON'T just tick or untick, actually click the item then press the minus to remove)

     

    Once done, restart your mac

    Once logged in, empty the trash once more and then reboot

     

    Your mac should have increased in performance by now, and if not.. it will soon

     

    Good Luck!

     

    Regards,

    MiiCK

  • by green jean,

    green jean green jean Mar 20, 2014 10:18 AM in response to green jean
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2014 10:18 AM in response to green jean

    i'm writing to report.  i downloaded the java update that a brody suggested.  i ran fix disk permissions and then tried the internet.  i started out using firefox and then chrome.  they were nimble and responsive (sounds like a car review).  then i tried safari.  it was slowwwwwwwwwwww.  no beachballs, now gray revolving circles.  safari  is /was so slow it often takes a while for a character i have typed to show up on the screen. 

     

    i have rerun etrecheck and the outdated javaapplet plugin message is still there as though i have not updated my imac. 

     

    i am going to remove some of the 3rd party software, but i'd like to be sure that i have accomplished what i needed to do re java. 

     

    does anyone have any other ideas about safari besides using another browser? 

     

    thank you.

     

     

    Hardware Information:

              iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)

              iMac - model: iMac11,3

              1 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4 cores

              4 GB RAM

     

    Video Information:

              ATI Radeon HD 5750 - VRAM: 1024 MB

     

    System Software:

              Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Uptime: 0 days 4:27:24

     

    Disk Information:

              WDC WD1001FALS-40Y6A0 disk0 : (931.51 GB)

                        (null) (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB

                        Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 931.19 GB (702.43 GB free)

     

              OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H 

     

    USB Information:

              Bose Corporation Bose USB Audio

     

              Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

     

              Fitbit Inc. Fitbit Base Station

     

              Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

     

              Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

                        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

     

              Apple Inc. iPhone

     

              Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

     

              Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

     

    FireWire Information:

              Seagate GoFlex Desk Mac 800mbit - 800mbit max

                        (null) (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB

                        FreeAgent GoFlex Drive (disk1s2) /Volumes/FreeAgent GoFlex Drive: 1.82 TB (1.56 TB free)

     

    Thunderbolt Information:

     

    Kernel Extensions:

              com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore          (5.0.3)

              com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5          (5.0.3)

     

    Startup Items:

              HP Trap Monitor: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP Trap Monitor

     

    Problem System Launch Daemons:

              [System] org.samba.winbindd.plist 3rd-Party support link

     

    Launch Daemons:

              [invalid] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

              [invalid] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

              [invalid] .SM.gul.com.dymo.pnpd.plist

              [System] .SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

              [System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [invalid] com.dymo.pnpd.plist

              [System] com.fitbit.galileod.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

     

    Launch Agents:

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents /MacOS/TOCGenerator

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul..SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents /MacOS/TOCGenerator

              [System] .SM.gul..SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

              [System] .SM.gul.com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist (hidden)

                        /Library/Documentation/Help/Hewlett-Packard/TOCGenerator.app/Contents /MacOS/TOCGenerator

              [System] .SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden)/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

              [System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [System] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [System] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [System] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist 3rd-Party support link

     

    User Launch Agents:

              [not loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link

              [not loaded] com.akamai.single-user-client.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [not loaded] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist 3rd-Party support link

              [not loaded] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

              [not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

     

    User Login Items:

              iTunesHelper

              AdobeResourceSynchronizer

              Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper

              WeatherBug Alert

              HP Product Research

              HPEventHandler

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

              WacomNetscape: Version: 1.1.1-1 3rd-Party support link

              Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 3rd-Party support link

              OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 3rd-Party support link

              Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.0.11 3rd-Party support link

              AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101750: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

              .SM.gul.lk.AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: Version: Unknown

              AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.9 3rd-Party support link

              FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

              Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

              WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.0.0.4 3rd-Party support link

              Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.77 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

              AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

              iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

              QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6

              AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.9 3rd-Party support link

              SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

              WidevineMediaOptimizer: Version: 6.0.0.12607 - SDK 10.7 3rd-Party support link

              RL Secure Plug-In Layer: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

              JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

     

    iTunes Plug-ins:

              Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.2

     

    User Internet Plug-ins:

              UploadManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

              Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 3rd-Party support link

              ContentManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

              RocketEngine: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

              Akamai NetSession Preferences  3rd-Party support link

              Flash Player  3rd-Party support link

              Flip4Mac WMV  3rd-Party support link

              WacomTablet  3rd-Party support link

     

    Old Applications:

              Classic Timer:          Version: 1.2 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

     

    Time Machine:

              Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

                   5%          Full Deck Solitaire

                   2%          EtreCheck

                   1%          PluginProcess

                   1%          WindowServer

                   1%          WebProcess

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

              1.48 GB          WebProcess

              221 MB          Safari

              94 MB          Full Deck Solitaire

              78 MB          mds

              64 MB          PluginProcess

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

              800 MB          Free RAM

              2.26 GB          Active RAM

              554 MB          Inactive RAM

              424 MB          Wired RAM

              1.36 GB          Page-ins

              0 B          Page-outs

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Mar 20, 2014 10:39 AM in response to green jean
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Mar 20, 2014 10:39 AM in response to green jean

    The Seagate driver may be a problem.  The only reason you should need a Seagate driver is if you are using their backup software, and even then that's really not essential, as their backup software often does not keep up to date with the operating system, and causes problems in updates.  It is better to use either Time Machine, or Carbon Copy Cloner.  If you don't use their software, ask them how to remove it.

     

    Also double check the verison of Microsoft Office you have installed is known to be compatible with your system.

  • by green jean,

    green jean green jean Mar 20, 2014 11:38 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2014 11:38 AM in response to a brody

    ok.  i use a seagate external harddrive but use time machine to back up to it. 

     

    when i heard the muttering that i associate with reading/writing but time machine wasn't working (turning), i tried to see whether there was a seagate backup running.  i looked at the utilities activity monitor and console, but i didn't know enough to understand what was going on.  it didn't look as though a backup job was running.   

     

    i'll look at the seagate driver and the office software.  it is pretty old. 

     

    thanks

  • by green jean,

    green jean green jean Mar 27, 2014 10:14 AM in response to green jean
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2014 10:14 AM in response to green jean

    i'm writting to report on my read/write and slowing problems.

     

    i tried several suggestions from several discussions.  no luck.  i finally broke down and lugged my 27" imac to the apple store in a shopping center.  they tested and could find no problems.  they did upgrade the operating system to lion from snow leopard.

     

    when i set up the mac the way it had been before the trip to the apple store, the read/writing and bogging down was still there.  i took off one device after the other until i was down to a cable for my bose sound system.  after i removed the bose system, i have had no read/writing or bogging. 

     

    i'll see whether there is new bose software and/or try to switch out a cable.  i hope this is the end of my saga instead of a short intermission of symptoms.  the bose speakers were so much in the background that i never suspected them. 

     

    thank you everyone for your efforts to help me.  mea culpa,

    jean adkins