benjammun

Q: iMac suddenly too slow to open vital apps, web pages

This started sometime in the last week or two. My iMac, which until now has always run smoothly, will now get the rotating beach balls when trying to open my Pro Tools sessions and other apps I need for work. I've tried many of the generally suggested remedies from others with similar problems, i.e. safe mode reboot, repair permissions, verify disk, clear cache files, clear up some HD space, etc. I suspect a third-party app I downloaded somewhere along the line is the culprit but for the life of me I cannot figure this out. Starting to get very frustrating. Here is my etrecheck report:

 

EtreCheck version: 2.1.6 (109)

Report generated January 18, 2015 at 7:21:19 PM PST

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck

 

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.

 

Hardware Information: ℹ️

  iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) (Technical Specifications)

  iMac - model: iMac14,3

  1 3.1 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/ac

 

Video Information: ℹ️

  NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M - VRAM: 1024 MB

  iMac 1920 x 1080

 

System Software: ℹ️

  OS X 10.10.1 (14B25) - Time since boot: 0:17:9

 

Disk Information: ℹ️

  APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 disk0 : (1 TB)

  EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

  Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (283.26 GB free)

  Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

 

USB Information: ℹ️

  Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

  Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

  Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

  Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc Portable Super Multi Drive

  M-Audio M-Track Plus

  LaCie Rugged USB3-FW 1 TB

  disk1s1 (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 32 KB

  Benjammun (disk1s3) /Volumes/Benjammun : 1.00 TB (483.01 GB free)

  iLok iLok

  BurrBrown from Texas Instruments USB AUDIO  CODEC

 

Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

  Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

 

Gatekeeper: ℹ️

  Anywhere

 

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

  /Library/Extensions

  [not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBMaschineControllerDriver (2.6.0 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

  [loaded] com.cyberic.SmoothMouse (9 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

 

  /System/Library/Extensions

  [not loaded] com.IKMultimedia.driver.StompIO1 (1.0.0) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBGuitarRigMobileDriver (2.4.23) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBHardwareDriver (2.4.23) [Support]

  [loaded] com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal (10.3.9f207 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.master (5.9.1 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.wibu.codemeter.CmUSBMassStorage (1.0.7) [Support]

 

  /System/Library/Extensions/PACESupportFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns

  [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.leopard (5.9.1 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.panther (5.9.1 - SDK 10.-1) [Support]

  [loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard (5.9.1 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

  [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.tiger (5.9.1 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

 

Startup Items: ℹ️

  DigidesignLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DigidesignLoader

  Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite

 

Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

  [running] com.wibu.CodeMeter.Server.plist [Support]

 

Launch Agents: ℹ️

  [loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]

 

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

  [loaded] com.avid.bsd.shoe.plist [Support]

  [loaded] com.avid.bsd.ShoeTool.plist [Support]

  [loaded] com.charlessoft.pacifist.helper.plist [Support]

  [loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]

  [loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]

  [running] com.paceap.eden.licensed.plist [Support]

  [loaded] PACESupport.plist [Support]

 

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

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

  [not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist [Support]

 

User Login Items: ℹ️

  NIHardwareAgent Application Hidden (/Library/Application Support/Native Instruments/Hardware/NIHardwareAgent.app)

 

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

  Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

  QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

  JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check version

 

Safari Extensions: ℹ️

  Searchme [Cached] Adware! [Remove]

  SlickSavings [Cached]

  Amazon Shopping Assistant [Cached] Adware! [Remove]

  Ebay Shopping Assistant [Cached] Adware! [Remove]

 

Audio Plug-ins: ℹ️

  Avid CoreAudio: Version: 11.1.3.325 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

 

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

  Java  [Support]

  Native Instruments USB Audio  [Support]

  SmoothMouse  [Support]

 

Time Machine: ℹ️

  Time Machine not configured!

 

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

      3% WindowServer

      0% fontd

      0% AppleSpell

      0% Google Chrome

      0% dpd

 

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

  241 MB Finder

  206 MB mds_stores

  137 MB Google Chrome

  77 MB Google Chrome Helper

  60 MB ocspd

 

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

  4.82 GB Free RAM

  2.13 GB Active RAM

  775 MB Inactive RAM

  861 MB Wired RAM

  2.03 GB Page-ins

  0 B Page-outs

 

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

  Jan 18, 2015, 07:04:46 PM Self test - passed

  Jan 18, 2015, 06:34:24 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Pro Tools_2015-01-18-183424_[redacted].hang

  Jan 18, 2015, 09:28:22 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Pro Tools_2015-01-18-092822_[redacted].hang

  Jan 17, 2015, 05:45:34 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/auvaltool_2015-01-17-174534_[redacted].hang

  Jan 17, 2015, 05:45:06 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/auvaltool_2015-01-17-174506_[redacted].hang

  Jan 17, 2015, 05:01:00 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Logic Pro X_2015-01-17-170100_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

  Jan 17, 2015, 04:55:45 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2015-01-17-165545_[redacted].hang

  Jan 17, 2015, 04:55:44 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Logic Pro X_2015-01-17-165544_[redacted].hang

  Jan 17, 2015, 04:47:52 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Logic Pro X_2015-01-17-164752_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

  Jan 17, 2015, 04:44:39 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/auvaltool_2015-01-17-164439_[r edacted].crash

  Jan 16, 2015, 10:26:58 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome_2015-01-16-222658_[redacted].hang

  Jan 16, 2015, 10:16:25 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CleanMyMac 2_2015-01-16-221625_[redacted].hang

  Jan 16, 2015, 09:56:07 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CleanMyMac 2_2015-01-16-215607_[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

 

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jan 18, 2015 7:24 PM

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Q: iMac suddenly too slow to open vital apps, web pages

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  • Helpful answers

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jan 19, 2015 12:30 AM in response to benjammun
    Level 8 (49,054 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 19, 2015 12:30 AM in response to benjammun
    1. Back up your Mac, if you have not already done so. To learn how to do that read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac.
    2. You inadvertently installed adware. Eradicating it is simple and you don't have to download or install anything to fix it. For an explanation or how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple's recommended solution read How to install adware.
    3. OS X's Gatekeeper has been disabled. This basic Mac security feature is an essential defense against malware intrusion. To re-enable it read OS X: About Gatekeeper - Apple Support
    4. That Mac has been affected by MacPaw "CleanMyMac". Read below.

     

    It is not reasonable to expect a Mac to operate normally after using CleanMyMac. Like many ill-conceived "cleaning" utilities, it is capable of corrupting a Mac to the point that erasing it completely is the only practicable means of recovery. CleanMyMac is not the only example; it is merely popular due to marketing strategies that are as effective as they are intrusive.

     

    There is no practicable way to reverse the effects of having used CleanMyMac2 other than to reinstall all affected files from backups or their original sources. Its developer's uninstallation instructions are ineffective despite their recent claims to the contrary. Only MacPaw, its developer, can know the reason for that, but I can think of two possibilities: either they are purposefully leaving components behind for reasons known only to them, or they simply don't know what they're doing. Neither one of those possibilities is particularly comforting for the user.


    Reinstalling OS X alone will have no effect on either removing CleanMyMac or reversing the damage it is capable of inflicting upon a system.


    Follow the applicable recovery procedure below:

     

    • If you have a backup that you created prior to using CleanMyMac, now is the time to use it. For Time Machine, boot OS X Recovery, and at the Mac OS X Utilities screen, choose Restore from Time Machine Backup. Choose a date preceding the installation of CleanMyMac.
    • If you do not have a backup that predates the use of CleanMyMac, create one now. To do that read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac.
      • The recovery procedure will require that you erase the Mac using OS X Recovery, and then create a new user whose contents will be empty. You will then be able to use Setup Assistant to migrate your essential documents including photos, music, work products and other essential files.
      • When doing so, select only your previous User account and do not select "Applications", "Computer and Network Settings" or "Other files and folders". De-select those choices.
      • Subsequent to using Setup Assistant, you will need to reinstall the essential software you may require, once again remembering to install software only from their original sources, and omitting all non-essential software.

     

    To erase and install Yosemite read: OS X Yosemite: Erase and reinstall OS X

     

    To migrate your essential documents read: OS X Yosemite: Transfer your info from a computer or storage device and follow the procedure under Transfer info from a Time Machine backup or other storage device.

     


  • by benjammun,

    benjammun benjammun Jan 19, 2015 9:25 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2015 9:25 AM in response to John Galt

    Thanks John, I appreciate the reply. A few questions:

     

    Unfortunately I installed Clean my Mac in response to the original problem. Now I know that this was a mistake, but I'm hesitant to reinstall Yosemite as I don't have the original installation pkg.s for many necessary applications and since I don't think it will solve my problem anyway, do you think this is still necessary? Can I migrate these programs in Setup Assistant?

     

    Do you have any recommendedations as to how to get rid of the adware?

     

    Thanks

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jan 19, 2015 9:48 AM in response to benjammun
    Level 8 (49,054 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 19, 2015 9:48 AM in response to benjammun

    The Recovery Procedure is guaranteed to work, but if you are hesitant to follow it you can certainly try less extensive measures including migrating the programs using Setup Assistant as you described. The potential problem with what you propose is that it will reinstall programs that might have been corrupted through the use of CleanMyMac. The only way to provide absolute assurance that that the programs, files, documents are not corrupted is to reinstall them from their original sources, or uncorrupted backups of them that are certain to have been unaffected by its use.

     

    It's all the more justification to use Time Machine from the start. If you no longer have the original installation packages for the essential applications you use, make every effort to find them, or obtain them again using whatever method you used to obtain them to begin with.

     

    Reinstalling OS X itself will reinstall the components required solely by it, but all other changes that may have been made to your system will remain completely unaffected.

     

    The adware that appears under Safari Extensions was "cached". That means that they will eventually disappear from the EtreCheck report, perhaps after restarting your Mac. It's more important to understand how that adware came to be installed in the first place, so you are not deceived into installing it again. Those deceptive tactics are constantly changing.