Bradley Johnson1

Q: Yosemite slow, Beach ball always spinning when changing windows, doing activities

After upgrading to Yosemite the finder is very slow, when switching programs or selecting items get the spinning beach ball all the time.  Today when using Excel when delete a cell would get spinning beach ball for a few seconds.  On activity monitor seems to be seeing Kernel_task frequently and once in awhile WindowServer.  Kernel_task is allows getting to top on activity monitor.  Any help would be appreciated.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 2, 2014 3:53 PM

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Q: Yosemite slow, Beach ball always spinning when changing windows, doing activities

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  • Helpful answers

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Nov 2, 2014 4:09 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 6 (13,982 points)
    iPad
    Nov 2, 2014 4:09 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    How Much RAM installed?

    How full is your hard drive?

    Do you have a lot of apps that automatically launch at computer startup or login?

     

    Do you have installed and run any of the following:

     

    Commercial AntiVirus software?

    Any type of hard drive " cleaning" or "optimizing" apps?

    Any type of "speed up" apps?

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Nov 2, 2014 4:18 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 10 (141,390 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 2, 2014 4:18 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    Download and run Etrecheck.  Copy and paste the results into your reply. It's a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC to help identify the more obvious culprits.

    OTsig.png

  • by Bradley Johnson1,

    Bradley Johnson1 Bradley Johnson1 Nov 4, 2014 8:14 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2014 8:14 AM in response to Old Toad

    here is the info from EtreCheck.  I have 2 portables which are running fine.  The difference is I have parallels and crash plan installed which are not on the other machines.


    Problem description:

    Yosemite running slow, beach ball frequently, especially seems to related to finder actions.

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.0.11 (98)

    Report generated November 4, 2014 at 10:01:39 AM CST

     

    Hardware Information: ℹ️

      Mac mini (Late 2012) (Verified)

      Mac mini - model: Macmini6,2

      1 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

      8 GB RAM Upgradeable

      BANK 0/DIMM0

      4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

      BANK 1/DIMM0

      4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

      Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

      Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ℹ️

      Intel HD Graphics 4000 -

      Thunderbolt Display 2048 x 1152

     

    System Software: ℹ️

      OS X 10.10 (14A389) - Uptime: 7 days 23:43:2

     

    Disk Information: ℹ️

      APPLE SSD SM128E disk0 : (121.33 GB)

      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

      EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

      Boot OS X (disk0s3) <not mounted> : 134 MB

      Brad's Fusion mini (disk2) /  [Startup]: 1.12 TB (709.67 GB free)

      Core Storage: disk0s2 120.99 GB Online

      Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online

     

      APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 disk1 : (1 TB)

      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

      EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

      Recovery HD (disk1s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

      Brad's Fusion mini (disk2) /  [Startup]: 1.12 TB (709.67 GB free)

      Core Storage: disk0s2 120.99 GB Online

      Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online

     

    USB Information: ℹ️

      Western Digital My Book 1130 2 TB

      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

      EFI (disk3s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

      Time Machine 2 (disk3s2) /Volumes/Time Machine 2 : 2.00 TB (760.39 GB free)

      Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

      Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

      Apple, Inc. IR Receiver

      Apple Inc. Display Audio

      Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Display)

      Apple Inc. Apple Thunderbolt Display

     

    Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

      Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

      Apple Inc. Thunderbolt Display

     

    Gatekeeper: ℹ️

      Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

      /Applications/Parallels Access.app

      [loaded] com.parallels.virtualsound (1.0.27 27 - SDK 10.6) Support

     

      /Applications/Parallels Desktop.app

      [loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (10.0.2 27712 - SDK 10.7) Support

      [loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (10.0.2 27712 - SDK 10.7) Support

      [loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (10.0.2 27712 - SDK 10.7) Support

      [loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (10.0.2 27712 - SDK 10.7) Support

     

      /Library/Extensions

      [loaded] com.sophos.kext.sav (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) Support

      [loaded] com.sophos.nke.swi (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) Support

     

      /System/Library/Extensions

      [not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchAfaTech (1.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergy450 (1.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergyXS (1.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchEmpia (1.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.elgato.driver.DontMatchVoyager (1.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.markspace.missingsync.palmos.classicseize (1) Support

      [not loaded] com.palm.ClassicNotSeizeDriver (3.2.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.39) Support

      [not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.39) Support

      [not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.0.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.tomtom.driver.UsbEthernetGadget (1.0.0d1) Support

      [not loaded] jp.co.epson.driver.EpsonNet_PSUSBNotSeize (1.0.0) Support

     

      /System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

      [not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.0.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.0.1) Support

      [not loaded] com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.0.1) Support

     

    Startup Items: ℹ️

      HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

      OSXvnc: Path: /Library/StartupItems/OSXvnc

      VirtualPCOSServices: Path: /Library/StartupItems/VirtualPCOSServices

      WDMyBookServiceStartupItem: Path: /Library/StartupItems/WDMyBookServiceStartupItem

      Startup items are obsolete and will not work in future versions of OS X

     

    Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [failed] com.apple.cmfsyncagent.plist

      [failed] com.apple.gamed.plist

     

    Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

      [failed] com.apple.icloud.findmydeviced.plist

      [failed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist

      [failed] com.apple.nehelper.plist

      [failed] com.apple.periodic-weekly.plist

      [failed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist

     

    Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [running] com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist Support

      [running] com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist Support

      [running] com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist Support

      [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

      [loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist Support

      [invalid?] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support

      [running] com.parallels.mobile.prl_deskctl_agent.launchagent.plist Support

      [running] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist Support

      [running] com.sophos.uiserver.plist Support

     

    Launch Daemons: ℹ️

      [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

      [running] com.crashplan.engine.plist Support

      [loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support

      [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

      [invalid?] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support

      [running] com.parallels.mobile.dispatcher.launchdaemon.plist Support

      [loaded] com.parallels.mobile.kextloader.launchdaemon.plist Support

      [invalid?] com.rim.BBDaemon.plist Support

      [running] com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist Support

      [failed] openbase.plist Support

     

    User Launch Agents: ℹ️

      [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

      [loaded] com.parallels.mobile.startgui.launchagent.plist Support

      [invalid?] de.metaquark.appfresh.plist Support

      [running] openlaunch.plist Support

     

    User Login Items: ℹ️

      Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

      CrashPlan menu bar Application (/Applications/CrashPlan.app/Contents/Helpers/CrashPlan menu bar.app)

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

      Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

      Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.0.0.126   - SDK 10.8 Support

      OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.8 Support

      AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.12 Support

      FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.189 - SDK 10.6 Support

      Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

      Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.189 - SDK 10.6 Support

      QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

      CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.7.2 - SDK 10.7 Support

      iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

      AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.12 Support

      GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.0.4.0 Release - SDK 10.6 Support

      SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.5 - SDK 10.6 Support

      JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 15.0.0 - SDK 10.10 Check version

     

    User Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

      BrowserPlus_2.9.8: Version: 2.9.8 Support

     

    Safari Extensions: ℹ️

      AdBlock

      Ghostery

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

      Citrix ShareFile Sync  Support

      Flash Player  Support

      Flip4Mac WMV  Support

      OpenBasePreferences  Support

     

    Time Machine: ℹ️

      Auto backup: YES

      Volumes being backed up:

      Brad's Fusion mini: Disk size: 1.12 TB Disk used: 405.53 GB

      Destinations:

      Time Machine 2 [Local]

      Total size: 2.00 TB

      Total number of backups: 102

      Oldest backup: 2012-11-10 23:47:43 +0000

      Last backup: 2014-11-04 16:01:39 +0000

      Size of backup disk: Adequate

      Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 405.53 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

          3% WindowServer

          3% syncdefaultsd

          0% fontd

          0% InterCheck

          0% SophosWebIntelligence

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

      155 MB softwareupdated

      129 MB CrashPlanService

      112 MB SophosScanD

      112 MB InterCheck

      94 MB Finder

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

      335 MB Free RAM

      2.98 GB Active RAM

      3.39 GB Inactive RAM

      1.28 GB Wired RAM

      38.22 GB Page-ins

      2.15 GB Page-outs

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Nov 4, 2014 9:20 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 10 (141,390 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 4, 2014 9:20 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    One item to remove is the Sophos antivirus software.  It's not needed and contributes to the slowness experienced.  Uninstall it according to the developer's instructions (whichever apply):

     

    Removing Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X

    How to uninstall the Sophos Control Center

  • by Bradley Johnson1,

    Bradley Johnson1 Bradley Johnson1 Nov 4, 2014 9:25 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2014 9:25 AM in response to Old Toad

    I agree Sophos is maybe not needed but it is on my 2 portable machines and those are not running slow like my iMac is. So it must be something else other than Sophos that is slowing down my iMac.  Thanks

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Nov 4, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 6 (13,982 points)
    iPad
    Nov 4, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    Commercial Antivirus software applications as well as needless hard drive "cleaning" applications are very well known to cause Mac performance slowdowns.

    It is best to uninstall such software.

    If you feel you need some sort of virus protection on OS X, look at ClamXAV in the Mac App Store,

    ClamXAV is minimally invasive on OS X unlike the more common, commercial antivirus packages for the Mac.

     

    Some more possible culprits of your Mac's performance slowdowns is CrashPlan.

    Modify its behaviour so that it is only backing up data when you are away from your Mac for extended periods of time.

    By default, CrashPlan is set to do incremental backups of your Mac during short periods of inactivity (basically while you are trying to actually do work on your Mac), so this could be another source of slowdowns.

     

    Also, it would appear as if you have two virtual environment packages ob your Mac that could be causing performance issues and/or conflicts with your system.

    You have both Virtual PC AND Parallels Desktop environments installed.

    You really should run have one of these installed and only using one virtual environment on your Mac.

    Pick one and make sure it is current and up to date and completely uninstall the other virtual environment per proper uninstall instructions on the developer's website.

     

    Other issues, uninstall/delete any installed software that came with any of your external hard drives. It is not needed by OS X and is, also, known to cause issues.

     

    FYI,

    If you are still using a Blackberry smart phone, be advised that its developer Research In Motion ( RIM) has not been doing well for quite some time and is barely hanging on to its fiscal and corporate life. They have NOT updated their computer companion software in years.

    So,mo, the installed RIM software toy have on your Mac is, very likely, out of date and will stay outdated with no updates on the horizon.

    It is, essentially, dead software.

    So, this maybe causing performance issues, as well, because it is incompatible with the last few versions of OS X.

     

    Another BIG issue is that your entire system is highly extended and modified.

    You need to make sure to update all of your third party software if there are OS X Mavericks updates that can be applied. You may need to go the third party developers' websites if there are no updates through the Mac App Store.

     

    Update all of your Web browser Internet plugins, also.

     

    Also, if you have any third party devices, like keyboards, mice, drawing tablets, hubs, card readers, etc, you need to update the drivers for these devices to OS X Mavericks compatible versions by visiting each device maker's support section of their respective websites.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Nov 4, 2014 11:01 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 6 (13,982 points)
    iPad
    Nov 4, 2014 11:01 AM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    I, also, forgot to mention, if you are using any Google software, like Google Chrome, Drive, etc,

    Google software runs like garbage on Macs and Chrome eats up a lot of Mac resources that make it not an ideal web browser for Macs.

    Do a search to learn how to properly delete all of the different Google wares.

    If you do not like Apple Safari web browser, try MozillaFireFox instead as FireFox is much more Mac friendly and is constantly updated by the Mozilla team.

  • by Huss417,

    Huss417 Huss417 Nov 4, 2014 6:24 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 4, 2014 6:24 PM in response to Bradley Johnson1

    I had the same issue after the upgrade to Yosemite. Constant beach ball. Removed anti virus software when mentioned. Still had the issue. Called Apple Support and they walked me through clearing all kinds of files and restarting my computer. After all that was done still had the same issue. Tech Support had me delete the Yosemite upgrade and reinstall it. After doing that it has been working fine since.

     

    Now i'm having issues with my external hard drive and Time Machine not recognizing it. Was first on the phone with WD they said it was an issue with Apple Time Machine and to contact them. Contacted Apple and they say its WD issue and to wait for a patch.

     

    Fun times so far with Yosemite.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Nov 5, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Huss417
    Level 10 (141,390 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 5, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Huss417

    WD drives come with their own software.  Did you install any of it? How is your WD drive formatted?

    OTsig.png

  • by Huss417,

    Huss417 Huss417 Nov 5, 2014 8:53 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 5, 2014 8:53 AM in response to Old Toad

    Not a new drive on this end. This is an existing external hard drive that has been connected to my iMac already for a cpl of years. It was working fine until the upgrade to Yosemite. WD also had an issue when the upgrade to Maverick happened.