Figgy

Q: Permissions problem with Safari. Problem Recurring.Safari VERY slow or Crashing

1. I have the following Permissions problem with Safari (v. 7.0.6) :-

 

“Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Resources/Safari.help/Contents/Resources/index .html”; should be lrwxr-xr-x ; they are -rwxr-xr-x .

Repaired “Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Resources/Safari.help/Contents/Resources/inde x.html”

 

2. I repair Permissions with OnyX and/or Disk Utility. Both return the above response. that is, identifying the problem then stating that the problem has been repaired.

3. I then re-start Safari. Things are OK for only a brief period before Safari's performance begins to degrade, again:--- slow, very slow, not responding, crashing.

4.Every time the above degrading has occurred, I've applied various maintenance programmes (eg: OnyX), scans and similar troubleshooting                   software.   

5.   The result is always the same as indicated in (1) above. There are NO other permissions problems.

 

This has been going on for many weeks. I thought of trashing the file but was unsure about doing that.

 

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should do. (It doesn't happen with Firefox, but I'd prefer to stay with Safari, if I can get this problem fixed.)

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9), 2.9 GHz, i5, 8GB

Posted on Sep 10, 2014 10:51 PM

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Q: Permissions problem with Safari. Problem Recurring.Safari VERY slow or Crashing

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  • by Carolyn Samit,Helpful

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 11, 2014 3:22 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 10 (122,412 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 11, 2014 3:22 AM in response to Figgy

    Ignore the information in Disk Utility for repairing permissions. That won't help if Safari is crashing.

     

    Much better off not using a third party Mac cleaning utility. They can do more harm than good >  How to Uninstall Onyx from Mac OS X

     

    Your Mac runs maintenance in the background for you >  Mac OS X: About background maintenance tasks

     

     

    As for Safari. Try troubleshooting Safari extensions.

     

    From the Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Extensions tab. Turn that OFF, quit and relaunch Safari to test.

     

    If that helped, turn one extension on then quit and relaunch Safari to test until you find the incompatible extension then click uninstall.

     

    If it's not an extensions issue, run the adware removal tool >   The Safe Mac » AdMedic

     

    Then try Safari.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 11, 2014 4:51 PM in response to Figgy
    Level 10 (207,995 points)
    Applications
    Sep 11, 2014 4:51 PM in response to Figgy

    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

    Step 1

    For this step, the title of the Console window should be All Messages. If it isn't, select

              SYSTEM LOG QUERIES â–¹ All Messages

    from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select

              View â–¹ Show Log List

    from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

    In the top right corner of the Console window, there's a search box labeled Filter. Initially the words "String Matching" are shown in that box. Enter the name of the crashed application or process. For example, if iTunes crashed, you would enter "iTunes" (without the quotes.)

    Each message in the log begins with the date and time when it was entered. Select the messages from the time of the last crash, if any. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.

    ☞ The log contains a vast amount of information, almost all of which is irrelevant to solving any particular problem. When posting a log extract, be selective. A few dozen lines are almost always more than enough.

    Please don't indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.

    Please don't post screenshots of log messages—post the text.

    ☞ Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

    Step 2

    In the Console window, select

              DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION â–¹ User Diagnostic Reports

    (not Diagnostic and Usage Messages) from the log list on the left. There is a disclosure triangle to the left of the list item. If the triangle is pointing to the right, click it so that it points down. You'll see a list of crash reports. The name of each report starts with the name of the process, and ends with ".crash". Select the most recent report related to the process in question. The contents of the report will appear on the right. Use copy and paste to post the entire contents—the text, not a screenshot.

    I know the report is long, maybe several hundred lines. Please post all of it anyway.

    If you don't see any reports listed, but you know there was a crash, you may have chosen Diagnostic and Usage Messages from the log list. Choose DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION instead.

    In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)

    Please don’t post other kinds of diagnostic report—they're very long and rarely helpful.

  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 16, 2014 11:50 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 16, 2014 11:50 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Hi Carolyn,

     

    This is a PRELIMINARY reply to your suggestions. I attempted to uninstall OnyX using CleanMyMac 2. I downloaded CleanMyMac 2, installed it and ran it. I clicked on OnyX in the left hand menu which bought up the App all the associated files in the centre box. I then clicked on "Remove All".

    (I think that's what it was called, from memory, but I did click the button/panel I was supposed to) , to get rid of OnyX and all its associated files. Nothing happened. CleanMyMac 2 was "stuck" / unresponsive. I quit CleanMyMac 2 and repeated the entire process. Again, right at that final stage - clicking  "Remove All" - CleanMyMac 2 was "stuck"/ unresponsive. and didn't remove OnyX and all its associated files.

     

    I quit CleanMyMac 2. I opened up AppCleaner. This successfully removed/uninstalled OnyX and all the associated files. (Interestingly, AppCleaner found one (1) additional associated file - something ending in "crash reporter" - than CleanMyMac 2 had found).

     

    So, using AppCleaner, I've uninstalled OnyX and all its associated files.

     

    I am now troubleshooting the Extensions possibility, as you suggested.

     

    You may note that Linc Davis has requested some information from me in his post on Sep 12, 2014 at 9:51 AM. I'll be supplying that to him, as well, and see what that produces.


    If you have any further suggestions, I'll eagerly follow them.


    Thanks very much for your assistance.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 17, 2014 4:43 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 8 (49,429 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 17, 2014 4:43 AM in response to Figgy

    Figgy:

     

    The first thing you must do is stop installing a bunch of garbage in an effort to fix what's wrong. All that those programs will accomplish is to compound the problem which may eventually lead to the necessity to erase your Mac completely and rebuild your work environment from the ground up.

     

    The next thing you must do is back up your Mac, if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac.

     

    If Safari is crashing, post the crash report.

     

    Good luck.

  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 17, 2014 11:44 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 17, 2014 11:44 PM in response to John Galt

    Hi John,

     

    Thanks for your suggestions. The only "garbage" I have installed is AppCleaner and ClamXav (the latter, being available in the App Store, is , I have assumed, not regarded as garbage by Apple). I downloaded CleanMyMac2 only to fulfil the suggestions offered by Carolyn - which you can read in her post. Having used CleanMyMac2 for that purpose, I'm now going to trash it (unless Carolyn or yourself suggests otherwise).

     

    I have used Time Machine in association with an External HDD for several decades.

     

    I am in the process of posting the anonymised crash reporter for the Safari crashes as suggested by Linc Davis (see his post of Sep 12, 2014 at 9:51 AM) and yourself.

     

    My Mac is not chock-a-block full of garbage and, meaning this in a friendly way, I am puzzled as to why you would conclude that I have been......

    "installing a bunch of garbage in an effort to fix what's wrong".


    I would be interested to know on the basis of what evidence you have drawn that inference.

     

    I would also welcome any additional, helpful, suggestions you are able to offer. Thanks for your assistance.

  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Sep 18, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 8 (49,429 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Figgy

    "CleanMyMac" is a scam designed for one sole purpose: to take your money. Using it or any other "cleaning" app is a common cause of system corruption resulting in countless complaints that appear on this site every day.

     

    The problem is that whatever caused your original complaint has now been compounded by using garbage software, and CleanMyMac is not the only example. The website you were directed to is also a scam; the Internet equivalent of an infomercial whose sole purpose is to promote that product.

     

    To uninstall OnyX refer to its instructions. I recommend you do not use Google to find them since the first results that appear in a Google search are almost always from companies whose websites host Google advertisements. The more advertisements they host the more prominent they become in the search results, and the most prominent Google advertisements are for junk software that no knowledgeable Mac user would ever consider using. Unfortunately they are very successful.

     

    You need to become much more circumspect regarding the software you choose to install on your equipment. The only way to do that is to educate yourself. Start by adopting the same skeptical attitude toward magical cure-all products for your Mac as you would with any other consumer product. If some stranger recommends you install something to fix your problem – even if it's "free" – question their motivation. The more insistent they become in recommending the product, the more justified the need to question it.

     

    This site can be a very useful one to draw upon from the experience and advice of knowledgeable others. Some of it is beneficial. Some of it is harmful. The vast majority exist between those two extremes, but none of it is authorized by Apple. In any event no inference should be drawn from the number of dots beneath a person's name.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 18, 2014 7:52 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 8 (35,434 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 18, 2014 7:52 AM in response to Figgy

    It may be a good idea to upgrade to the latest version of Safari, which addresses some security issues - and which may also address your problem.

     

    First you'll need to upgrade to Mavericks 10.9.5 (Apple logo > Software Update...).

    Once you have installed that, visit App Store and check for updates AGAIN.

    This will prompt you to install Safari 7.1

     

    Security fixes info here:

    About the security content of Safari 6.2 and Safari 7.1

     

    Hope this helps!

  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 19, 2014 9:33 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 19, 2014 9:33 PM in response to John Galt

    Hi John,

     

    Thanks for your reply. I accept, and will be following your advice, regarding downloading software in future, along with your advice about Google search results.

     

    Prior to Jonathon UK's post of Sept 19 at 12.52 am (see below), I had already downloaded OS 10.9.5 and, subsequently, Safari 7.1

     

    Things are working OK at the moment, although I've decided to run Safari with Extensions turned OFF. I ran Safari in this mode during the last few days of running Safari 7.0.6 and have continued in that mode in the first two days of running Safari 7.1. I have not encountered any problems running in that mode.(No pop-ups, no other types of unwanted advertisements, nothing negative at all, actually). I realise that I'm probably "missing out" on the alleged benefits of some of the Extensions, but I can't can't say I'm noticing any less of an experience in running Safari without Extensions.


    Maybe you have an opinion on this  and , if so, I would be very appreciative to hear it.


    Once again, thanks for your time and expertise in responding to my post.

  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 19, 2014 9:41 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 19, 2014 9:41 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    Hi Jonathan UK,

     

    Thanks for your suggestion. As it turned out I had already installed OS 10.9.5 and, subsequently, Safari 7.1

     

    AS you will see from my reply to John Galt, Safari 7.1 is working quite well now (which may,indeed, be a function of the upgraded OS and the new version of Safari).

     

    If you have any views on running Safari with Extensions turned OFF, I would welcome readings those (See my reply to John Galt).

  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 19, 2014 9:46 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 19, 2014 9:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi Linc,

     

    Thank you for your suggestions. I was about to send you the information you requested when I saw that a Mavericks upgrade was available. I installed OS 10.9.5 and, subsequently, Safari 7.1

     

    Safari is now working OK, so there seems little point in burdening you with (now) unnecessary information.

     

    Thanks once again.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 20, 2014 7:30 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 8 (49,429 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2014 7:30 AM in response to John Galt

    .

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 20, 2014 7:46 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 8 (49,429 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2014 7:46 AM in response to Figgy

    Some Extensions are worthwhile but it's important for you to know what Extensions are installed and the specific benefit you expect from them. None are required for normal operation.

     

    One reason for concern is that many websites, mostly unscrupulous ones, will attempt to deceive users into installing Extensions that no knowledgeable person would want. Those Extensions enable adware that causes targeted advertising to be added to all the websites you visit, many of which cause additional windows or tabs to open containing even more intrusive and unwanted advertisements.

     

    The problem is that there is no effective limit to the number or type of advertisements that will appear. Your Mac can instantly become overloaded with them, causing your Internet browsing activity to become nearly impossible.

     

    Extensions cannot be installed without your consent, but adware creators rely upon deception to convince you to supply your login credentials. They are very successful at that.

     

    To learn about adware and how to avoid it read How to install adware. There are no automated means of prevention, nor are there likely to be any, since Extensions also have many legitimate purposes.


  • by Figgy,

    Figgy Figgy Sep 21, 2014 12:09 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Sep 21, 2014 12:09 AM in response to John Galt

    Hi John,

     

    Thanks again for your responses. I had a look at your informative article "How to install adware". It was very useful. As you requested I am reporting to you that the following graphics were not viewable, instead only WHITE SPACES in their place:-  4, 7, 8,9 and 10.


    Separately, what do you think of the software "AdwareMedic" available at http://www.adwaremedic.com ?


    Third  day of using Safari 7.1 with Extensions turned OFF - everything running smoothly, not missing having Extensions ON.


    FYI

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Sep 21, 2014 1:50 AM in response to Figgy
    Level 5 (4,791 points)
    Sep 21, 2014 1:50 AM in response to Figgy

    I thought I should probably jump in concerning your question about AdwareMedic, but for whatever reason the forum won't let me reply to that particular posting right now.

     

    I don't know how familiar John is with AdwareMedic, except to say that I know he favors education over brute force/blindless removal of problems without fully understanding them. I very much agree with his approach and almost always recommend both whenever I see the opportunity.

     

    I also know that Linc has not examined AdwareMedic and always prefers users follow his very detailed instructions for manually removing what he knows to be adware/malware/crap files as opposed to trusting somebody you never met to give you a program that you trust not to harm your computer. Of course you never met Linc either, so there's that.

     

    The developer of AdwareMedic has been a colleague of mine for several years now specializing in Mac malware, trying to stay ahead of the cibercriminals that come up with these things in an attempt to get accurate information to those that can do something about it, including Apple Security. AdwareMedic and it's predecessor the Adware Removal Tool have assisted thousands of users here in the forum and elsewhere to safely and efficiently rid themselves of most all currently known adware.  To my knowledge there has not been a single report of any harm being caused by it.

     

    Of course I'm just another anonymous internet contributor here, so why trust me?

     

    Full disclosure: I provide uncompensated Tech Support to the ClamXav Forum.

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