pureoptic

Q: Deleting Installer Files on Mac

So for the past few weeks, my Mac has suddenly started slowing down to a point where it's unusable, and I have to force shut down. After that, it's fine, until it happens again.

 

So, I opened up my Activity Monitor to check to see if anything was using any high CPU or Memory. Under both, I found 3 files named "Installer" that were using 90% of my memory and CPU! They were only present when my computer was running extremely slow, though. So, I quit them, and the instant I quit them, you can see the memory/cpu usage drop from about 90% to about 5% usage. Obviously I know this shouldn't be happening, and quitting them seems to be working, temporarily.. The files keep coming back about twice a day, and I have to repeat the process.

 

It's not a huge deal now that I found what's causing the lag spike, it's just annoying to have to have Activity Monitor open all the time, and to be ready to close the Installer files when the lag spike occurs. It's happened to me a few times while trying to take notes in class, which can cause a lot of headache trying to get my computer back up and running in a short amount of time.

 

Does anyone know what this could be caused from? Each time, I'm closing out of the Installer files, so I figured they would be gone, but they seem to keep coming back. It's very strange.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), iOS 10

Posted on Sep 15, 2016 9:23 AM

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Q: Deleting Installer Files on Mac

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 15, 2016 9:44 AM in response to pureoptic
    Level 10 (190,258 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 15, 2016 9:44 AM in response to pureoptic

    Try starting in Safe Mode (depress and hold Shift key when booting)

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 15, 2016 10:35 AM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 10:35 AM in response to pureoptic

    You inadvertently installed adware. You do not need to download or install anything to fix it.

     

    Navigate to the following folder, and post its contents in a screenshot.

     

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents

     

    To open that folder, copy the entire line above and paste it in the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field. It should look like this:

     

     

    gt.png

     

     

    Take a screenshot showing all that folder's contents, and post it in a reply. To take a screenshot read the Appendix in the following User Tip: Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question. There will be additional instructions to follow.

     

    For a description of how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple's recommended actions read How to install adware.

     

    Review your Gatekeeper settings: OS X : About Gatekeeper - Apple Support. Gatekeeper is designed to help prevent you from inadvertently installing garbage software.


  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 15, 2016 4:42 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2016 4:42 PM in response to John Galt

    Thanks! There was quite a lot of stuff in it, so it's split up between two screenshots here. Screen Shot 2016-09-15 at 7.41.19 PM.pngScreen Shot 2016-09-15 at 7.41.06 PM.png

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 15, 2016 4:51 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 4:51 PM in response to pureoptic

    In the same manner as the above, open the following folder:

     

    /Library/LaunchDaemons

     

    Once again ensure all its files and their names are readable, take a screenshot, and post it.

  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 15, 2016 5:09 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 15, 2016 5:09 PM in response to John Galt

    I actually don't have that folder anywhere, LaunchAgents is the only one I have.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 15, 2016 6:56 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 6:56 PM in response to pureoptic

    To open that folder, copy and paste it in the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field. It should look like this:

     

    ld.png

  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 16, 2016 6:41 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 16, 2016 6:41 AM in response to John Galt

    There it is, here's that folder!

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-16 at 9.40.33 AM.png

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 16, 2016 3:51 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 16, 2016 3:51 PM in response to pureoptic

    Thanks. Repeat the above with one more folder please:

     

    /Library/LaunchAgents

  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 16, 2016 5:32 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 16, 2016 5:32 PM in response to John Galt

    Screen Shot 2016-09-16 at 8.31.58 PM.png

  • by John Galt,Apple recommended

    John Galt John Galt Sep 17, 2016 5:35 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 17, 2016 5:35 PM in response to pureoptic

    Thanks.

     

    First, ensure you have a reliable backup of your Mac, in case something should go wrong with continued troubleshooting. To learn how to do that please read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support. A backup is a fundamental prerequisite, regardless of your preferred method to uninstall adware, and would apply even if your Mac were running perfectly well.

     

    This step is optional but will preclude any related inability to use your Mac: Restart in "Safe Mode", and log in: Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support. Starting in Safe Mode takes longer than usual so let it finish.

     

    In the first screenshot (/Library/LaunchDaemons) select the files containing the names "InstallMac", "Manroling", and "Smokyashan". Leave the others alone. Drag that selection of files to the Trash. You will be asked to authenticate. Confirm they are no longer present in that folder.

     

    Next: open Safari and select the Safari menu > Preferences... > Extensions. If you see any Extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone. No Safari Extensions are required for normal operation. Then, select the General pane and review your Homepage selection. Repeat those equivalent actions for any other browser you may use.

     

    You can then restart your Mac and use it normally.

     

    Next: if you want to eradicate all remaining adware remnants post a screenshot of the following folder, in the same manner as you did earlier:

     

    ~/Library/Application Support

     

    It is normal for that folder to contain many items, but anything associated with the above adware will bear identical names ("manroling" etc). They can be removed if you wish, but don't remove anything if you are uncertain.

     

    There may also be adware-associated programs in your Mac's Applications folder. Anything unwanted should be obvious to you, but again don't remove anything if you are uncertain.

  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 17, 2016 5:36 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 17, 2016 5:36 PM in response to John Galt

    Thank you! So I was able to remove the extensions on Safari successfully, but in the LaunchDaemons folder, I wasn't able to find any files with "InstallMac", "Manroling", or "Smokyashan". Any clue as to where they would be?

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 17, 2016 10:21 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 17, 2016 10:21 PM in response to pureoptic

    .

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 17, 2016 10:25 PM in response to pureoptic
    Level 9 (50,065 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 17, 2016 10:25 PM in response to pureoptic

    The files you need to drag to the Trash are in your first screenshot:

     

    ss.png


    They are in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder. Drag them to the Trash and leave the others alone.

     

    The files you need to delete are locked, so you will be asked to confirm their deletion.

     

    Then, open Safari again and make sure the Extensions you don't want are still gone.

  • by pureoptic,

    pureoptic pureoptic Sep 18, 2016 7:27 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 18, 2016 7:27 AM in response to John Galt

    Awesome, thank you so much for your help! After doing some of the stuff yesterday, I was able to clear up a lot from my computer. I actually found the Manroling and Smokeyashen program files on my computer, and got rid of them both now. Things seem to be running so much better. Thank you again, I really appreciate it!

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