Burnin' Coal

Q: Constant "Your system has run out of application memory"

At wits end....2011 iMac with 4GB RAM and 750GB free on HD....computer is almost unusable with semi permanent spinning ball and constant Force Quit boxes with warning "Your system has run out of application memory"

 

From reading and rereading similar posts on a myriad of forums I ask for help...I understand how to open Activity Monitor....from the extremely long list of Process Names I am guessing there are several that are either adware or some form of unwanted memory hog....one in particular is USERNOTED but I dare say there are several others

 

When trying to use Photoshop earlier the machine ground to a halt...Activity Monitor showed 1GB for Photoshop and almost all the rest of the CPU was being taken up by USERNOTED....but looking at the box with memory pressure there were huge red peaks then it would drop to almost nothing and then another spike...like watching a heart beat...and that was without me touching any controls - it was just pulsing on its own

 

I have run an /sbin/fsck check and it tells me the system is all good so am guessing I have a gremlin in the RAM

 

So...million dollar question....in terms that a completely untech savvy person can understand...what do I look for ? and how do I fix it ?

 

Thank you for all and any help however any suggestions to install MacCleaner will be ignored

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Mar 31, 2016 10:04 AM

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Q: Constant "Your system has run out of application memory"

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  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 4, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 6 (8,328 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    if the cause is a memory leak, installing more memory will not help.

    however the next sentence states:

    That's likely if you already have more than 4 GB of memory.

     

    You don't have more than 4GB memory. So regardless what other steps you take to remedy this the $11 investment in RAM will show an overall performance improvement in what you have in there now. Adding RAM won't cure damaged software and I never said it did, but it will assist in your photoshop use to not resorting to use the Hard Drive for scratch disk, undo buffer and manipulation nearly as much as it does now; resulting in a far more responsive application and the ability to multi-task while using it.

     

    The overwhelming majority of volunteers here use Etrecheck to diagnose issues. The developer of this software activly volunteers here as well and appears to be a very well meaning user with altruistic inclinations. Technically inclined and novice alike have successfully used this software to diagnose and remedy thousands of problems on these forums and will likely continue to do so with this software as it's purpose is to show a user what is running on their computer without resorting to system logs or reports that may be cryptic to those who prefer them, and that's simply all it is, a preference.

    You did not show any lack of etiquette here as far as the vast majority of volunteers here are concerned and as far as the TOS states.

  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 4, 2016 8:08 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 8:08 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Thankyou...using the link you provided I have ordered the full 32GB of Memory upgrade...however this machine is very unhappy and I am sure that I would like to see it "healthy" before I install the upgrade.

    I managed to find the unused Canon Utilities you mentioned seeing in my Etrecheck and have removed them.I have also just removed one of my scanning programs (Silverfast) and was about to follow Linc Davis suggestion to export my Contacts from iCloud when my monitor screen started to flicker whilst in preview mode,much the same as me noticing the Google logo flickering in the Internet Accounts pane yesterday...this new development worries me greatly .

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 4, 2016 8:46 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 6 (8,328 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 8:46 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    IMHO

     

    • backup the system with Time Machine.

    If you work on a production system you should always have a backup of your system in the event you run into a drive failure or worse.

     

    get two Flash drives, one to fit all your 3rd party installers and one to fit an OS installer (about 8GB)

    • Make a note of all existing 3rd party installers you need and download them or keep them on hand if CD's/DVD's or flash drive

     

    • Wipe the current OS hard drive and reinstall a CLEAN instance of the OS from a bootable installer (see 2nd link as well) - Remove all external devices at this time except mouse and keyboard  (unless they're built in) - not required but it sometimes rules out external issues with 3rd party products you can install later.

    You may wish to remove the Backup drive before you begin this process. It's not required but I've seen people wipe their backup accidentally. It's not needed.

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

     

    Any preexisting issue that might survive an upgrade will be eradicated and you will be left with a clean install of only Apple software as a base to build off of.

    http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/01/clean-install-os-x-el-capitan-mac/

     

    Reinstall the software you need paying attention to how the computer behaves between not having one piece of software installed and then installing it and using it. Don't do a bulk install. Installed do installs one at a time and note the system behavior, reboot between installs. If all seems fine proceed with the next.

     

    For Photoshop (which should be your first 3rd party application install) I suggest you install the OS, do the OS updates

    then install Creative Suite or Cloud from the original installers (CS) or the download installer tool from Adobe (CC) update CS or CC.

    In the event you install Suite you may be promoted to install this when launching photoshop, it's required by Adobe.

    https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572?locale=en_US

    you may wish to DL and stick with the installers.

     

    Reconnect the backup disk and restore any other data you need. continue to backup as normal.

     

    also with monitor flicker

    check connections on power cable and cable from computer to monitor

     

    reset the monitor (manufactures website or operating instructions that came with the monitor)

     

    reverse the connection from the computer cable to the monitor cable (this works sometimes I swear it's voodoo, not science but I just did this for a user after contesting the same way did not stop flicker)

     

    Try a new plug (outlet) for the monitor

  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 4, 2016 9:34 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 9:34 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Thankyou...yes...even for someone non versed in computers a complete re-install would seem to be the way to go and yes everything is already backed up on Time Machine.

     

    Whilst I can comprehend the way to do it as described,especially the need to save the third party apps separately,I have never until a few days ago,done anything more complicated than scan negatives and send emails...so will enlist the help of a friend 

     

    Am a strong believer in voodoo especially when it concerns anything that has a plug on it so I will try your suggestions...thanks for your time

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 4, 2016 10:19 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 6 (8,328 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2016 10:19 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    as long as you have the backup you should be able to at least restore your computer to it's current and currently confused form if all else becomes a problem

    Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support

  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 5, 2016 4:50 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 4:50 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Yes...it may be confused but I have to continue working as there is an ongoing project that I must finish and burn onto a Disk before any reboot....may I continue with this thread or is the advice to completely reboot the only answer ?

     

    I ask because yesterday I removed Photoshop and some unused Canon Utilities then switched the computer off...twenty hours later I restart and ka-pow! I am right back at the very start of this thread with Memory Pressure spiking like crazy with usage switching from 1.19GB to 3.49GB every few seconds,a beachball if I touch any key,SOAGENT and USERNOTED hogging Process Names

    Within the first minute of startup in the Process Names list two lines flashed up in red...first it was "Finder is not responding" and then "Notifications Centre is not responding"....amongst the other top items in Process Names is SOFTWAREUPDATED...am I right in thinking that this may be linked to Epson ? Epson drivers not being compatible with Apple O.S. updates is something I have come up against before...I will post an Etrecheck if requested...if not then thanks for your time

  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 5, 2016 5:44 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 5:44 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    One hour later everything had calmed down,Memory Pressure stable and Memory used a stable 2.25GB with no Apps running...then I discovered a Gmail account I didn't know my other half had created...I signed out and ka-pow ! Once more the machine went absolutely crazy...however...thirty seconds of beachball when I pressed "sign out of this account" and the screen went momentarily black before returning this message

    "The operation couldn't be completed" (OSStatus error -192)

     

    Five minutes after this the machine is stable once again,Safari running and Memory used a steady 2.2GB

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 5, 2016 5:49 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 6 (8,328 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 5:49 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    SOFTWAREUPDATED is running because it's part of the AppStore, it's an Apple process.

    by default it's on

    >System Preferences...>App Store

    it shouldn't be the problem (I'm not saying it isn't, I'm saying it shouldn't) you can turn it off and reboot

    then

    Open Activity Monitor (Macintosh HD/Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor OR type "Activity Monitor" w/o quotes in the spotlight (magnifying glass))

    sort by "%CPU"

    what are in the top of your list?


    SOAGENT activity could be caused by a google account synching (Do you use google apps?)

    your google account would be in

    >System Preferences...>Internet Accounts

    if you have a backup you can safely delete the account from there for now to test. If not your mail should be on google server so you may want to use gmail to get it.


    USERNOTED can be caused several different scenarios (software or RAM)

    I recommend this post as the answer provided appears to be correct for multiple users.

    Usernoted process issues


  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 5, 2016 6:03 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 6:03 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Restarted he computer and immediately in Activity Monitor flashed in red was Finder not responding...after twenty seconds it turned black

    In CPU it is spiking every few seconds

    Usernoted 67%

    soagent 36%

     

    Then it will calm down briefly

    Kernel task just flashed up at 2,617%

    Screen just faded to black and back again

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 5, 2016 6:24 AM in response to Burnin' Coal
    Level 6 (8,328 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 6:24 AM in response to Burnin' Coal

    were you able to try anything from the post above?

  • by Burnin' Coal,

    Burnin' Coal Burnin' Coal Apr 5, 2016 6:27 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 5, 2016 6:27 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Not yet as I have had to wait for the computer to calm down...everything appears normal for now...thanks for those links...I will be working through them in the coming hours...I will post results as and when I have them

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