frane
Level 1 (13 points)
Desktops

Q: Portable hard drive

Any recommendations for the best portable hard drive that I can purchase?  Want to transfer all my photos from the mac mini to a portable external hard drive to free up some space.  Been getting that dreaded rainbow spinning wheel more frequently nowadays when I'm surfing the web.  Any other recommendations to clean up the mac mini to free up space would be appreciated too. 

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on May 28, 2016 2:51 AM

by lllaass,Apple recommended
lllaass lllaass
Level 10 (187,607 points)
Desktops
A:

- External drives that have/require an AC power adopter seem to be more reliable than ones powered by the USB bus. Otherwise there is little difference between the different brands. The only except in would be if you use a drive with an SSD vice rotating HD. For SSDs, a bus powered external drive is OK.

- The DiskSweeper app

https://www.omnigroup.com/more

and Grand Perspective app

http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/

are good apps to see what is using storage.

- The beach balling is likely not caused by the startup disk being too full. To help determine the cause

Run this and post the results here so we know more about your configuration.

http://etrecheck.com/

EtreCheck

Posted on May 28, 2016 3:03 AM

Close
frane

Q: Portable hard drive

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by lllaass,Apple recommended

    lllaass lllaass May 28, 2016 3:03 AM in response to frane
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 3:03 AM in response to frane

    - External drives that have/require an AC power adopter seem to be more reliable than ones powered by the USB bus. Otherwise there is little difference between the different brands. The only except in would be if you use a drive with an SSD vice rotating HD. For SSDs, a bus powered external drive is OK.

    - The DiskSweeper app

    https://www.omnigroup.com/more

    and Grand Perspective app

    http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/

    are good apps to see what is using storage.

    - The beach balling is likely not caused by the startup disk being too full. To help determine the cause

    Run this and post the results here so we know more about your configuration.

    http://etrecheck.com/

    EtreCheck

  • by frane,

    frane frane May 28, 2016 3:41 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 3:41 AM in response to lllaass

    Thanks or your reply.  Ran etrecheck.  How do I post the results?  The report is 5 pages long.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass May 28, 2016 9:44 AM in response to frane
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 9:44 AM in response to frane

    You can try using the Etrcheck feature of copying to clipboard and pasting it in your reply. Other do.

    You can also

    Try using the free version of

    http://pastebin.com/

    Make sure you provide a link to your pastebin page.

  • by frane,

    frane frane May 28, 2016 12:21 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 12:21 PM in response to lllaass

    EtreCheck version: 2.9.12 (265)

    Report generated 2016-05-28 09:17:01

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 3:45

    Performance: Good

     

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

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

     

    Problem: Beachballing

    Description:

    Been seeing more of the beachball lately.  Not sure why.

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        Mac mini (Mid 2010)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        Mac mini - model: Macmini4,1

        1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

        4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

            VX1962wm 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 (15F34) - Time since boot: about 3 days

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 319.21 GB (233.88 GB free)

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

     

        HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Logitech USB Keyboard

        Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        HP Photosmart C4200 series

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

            /Library/Extensions

        [loaded]    com.sophos.kext.sav (9.4.52 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-05-24) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.sophos.nke.swi (9.4.52 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-05-24) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    7 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    158 Apple tasks

        [running]    73 Apple tasks

     

    System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [failed]    com.apple.csrutil.report.plist

        [not loaded]    47 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    152 Apple tasks

        [running]    91 Apple tasks

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-05-12) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-03) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.sophos.uiserver.plist (2015-09-24) [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-05-12) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-05-12) [Support]

        [failed]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-05-09) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-03) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2014-03-25) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist (2016-02-11) [Support]

        [running]    com.wdc.SmartwareDriveService.plist (2013-11-11) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.wdc.WDPrivilegedHelper.plist (2015-09-28) [Support]

        [running]    com.wdc.WDSmartWareService.plist (2013-11-11) [Support]

        [failed]    com.zeobit.MacKeeper.AntiVirus.plist (2011-07-23) [Support]

        [failed]    com.zeobit.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist (2011-09-11) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2012-06-12) [Support]

        [failed]    com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        iTunesHelper    Application Hidden (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        WDDriveUtilityHelper    Application  (/Applications/WD Drive Utilities.app/Contents/WDDriveUtilityHelper.app)

        AdobeResourceSynchronizer    Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.app/Contents/Helpers/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

        Garmin Express Service    Application  (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)

        WDSmartWareStatusMenu    Application  (/Incompatible Software/StatusMenu.app)

     

    Other Apps: ⓘ

        [running]    6.0.70112

        [running]    com.etresoft.EtreCheck.88032

        [running]    com.garmin.renu.service.81312

        [running]    com.hp.scanModule.73312.62819A57-E56E-4319-95BB-9AFF501874F3

        [running]    com.sophos.autoupdate

        [running]    com.sophos.configuration

        [running]    com.sophos.intercheck

        [running]    com.sophos.notification

        [running]    com.sophos.scan

        [running]    com.sophos.sxld

        [running]    com.sophos.webd

        [running]    com.westerndigital.WDDriveUtilityHelper.77472

        [running]    jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister.67552

        [loaded]    404 Apple tasks

        [running]    202 Apple tasks

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Google Earth Web Plug-in: 6.2 (2012-02-04) [Support]

        Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-05-04)

        OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.6 (2013-04-27) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.016.20041 - SDK 10.11 (2016-05-22) [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.242 - SDK 10.6 (2016-05-22) [Support]

        Silverlight: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 (2013-08-01) [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-05-04)

        Flash Player: 21.0.0.242 - SDK 10.6 (2016-05-22) [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-04-20)

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.2 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-30) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: 15.016.20041 - SDK 10.11 (2016-05-22) [Support]

        GarminGpsControl: 4.0.4.0 Release - SDK 10.6 (2012-11-02) [Support]

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        Flash Player (2016-05-09) [Support]

        WDQuickView (2015-09-27) [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Time Machine not configured!

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

            99%    com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64

            23%    kernel_task

             3%    WindowServer

             0%    askpermissiond

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        476 MB    kernel_task

        209 MB    mdworker(9)

        205 MB    SophosScanD

        193 MB    InterCheck

        135 MB    com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        60 MB    Free RAM

        4.19 GB    Used RAM (1.21 GB Cached)

        17 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

        May 28, 2016, 09:09:22 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64_2016-05-28-090922_[r edacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

            /System/Library/Frameworks/WebKit.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/com.apple.We bKit.Plugin.64.xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64

        May 28, 2016, 12:47:14 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64_2016-05-28-004714_[r edacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass May 28, 2016 12:56 PM in response to frane
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 12:56 PM in response to frane

    Start with remove Sophos

    http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/120838.aspx

    and MacKeeper

    http://www.thesafemac.com/ongoing-mackeeper-fraud/

    Do not install MacKeeper

     

    After uninstalling make sure you reboot.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 28, 2016 1:18 PM in response to frane
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 1:18 PM in response to frane

    And, you may want to consider upgrading your RAM. The maximum for your model is 16 GBs.

    8 GBs would be optimum.

  • by frane,

    frane frane May 28, 2016 10:17 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 10:17 PM in response to lllaass

    Sophos is not needed at all?  I thought I got rid of all my MacKeeper files last year but it looks like a few lingered.  I got rid of those today.  And will be upgrading my RAM to 8GB since that would be the max for my mac mini. 

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 28, 2016 10:20 PM in response to frane
    Level 5 (7,888 points)
    Desktops
    May 28, 2016 10:20 PM in response to frane

    As stated above, 16 GBs is the maximum for your MacMini.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass May 29, 2016 12:42 AM in response to frane
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    May 29, 2016 12:42 AM in response to frane

    Sophos is not needed. I used to have it but it kept slowing my Mac.

    Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8573

    Effective defenses against malware and other threats

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8841

  • by frane,

    frane frane May 29, 2016 4:34 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    May 29, 2016 4:34 PM in response to lllaass

    Should I get rid of Flash Player too?

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass May 30, 2016 12:47 AM in response to frane
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    May 30, 2016 12:47 AM in response to frane

    Likely not since currently Flash is required for some content on some sites. Just make sure Flash is up to date

  • by frane,

    frane frane May 30, 2016 9:44 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    May 30, 2016 9:44 PM in response to lllaass

    Ok, thanks!

  • by woodmeister50,

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 May 31, 2016 2:49 AM in response to frane
    Level 5 (5,500 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 31, 2016 2:49 AM in response to frane

    FWIW, if the only copies of your photos that you have are only on the Mini's HDD,

    you are an accident waiting to happen.  You should always have an external drive to backup

    any important data, such as photos, in case of hard drive failure.  HDD can last for

    seeming forever or it could fail for you tomorrow.

     

    The again, if all those photos are totally meaningless to you, then there is no

    need for a backup.