10.5.6 Results in "forever" indexing Spotlight and poor performance

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Level 1

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10.5.6 Results in "forever" indexing Spotlight and poor performance

Hi all,

I recently updated to 10.5.6 and have been struggling with a constantly indexing spotlight ever since. I have tried the following:

-- repairing the disk
-- repairing the disk permissions
-- deleting the spotlight index and re-indexing
-- use Onyx to clean up spotlight indexes
-- added various directories to "privacy" in spotlight preferences

Essentially, the computer becomes very laggy with TONS of I/O activity (180GB in data read overnight, 100GB of data on the disk). Even after it appears that Spotlight is done indexing, it does not provide any search results and will eventually start re-indexing all over again.

Here is the repeated lines I keep seeing in the system logs:

Dec 19 09:11:21 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]: mds(1970,0xb071b000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)
Dec 19 09:11:21 marzuki mds[1970]: mds(1970,0xb071b000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)\n * error: can't allocate region\n * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Dec 19 09:11:21 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]: * error: can't allocate region
Dec 19 09:11:21 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]: * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Dec 19 09:11:27 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]: terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::bad_alloc'
Dec 19 09:11:27 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]: what(): St9bad_alloc
Dec 19 09:11:28 marzuki /usr/sbin/spindump[2103]: process 1971 is being monitored
Dec 19 09:11:42 marzuki ReportCrash[2104]: Formulating crash report for process mds[1970]
Dec 19 09:11:42 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (0x10dfd0.mdworker[2097]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 19 09:11:42 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (0x10e6e0.mdworker[2093]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 19 09:11:43 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[1970]): Exited abnormally: Abort trap
Dec 19 09:11:44 marzuki /usr/sbin/spindump[2103]: process 1971 is being no longer being monitored
Dec 19 09:11:48 marzuki ReportCrash[2104]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2008-12-19-091128marzuki.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Dec 19 09:11:55 marzuki mds[2105]: (Error) Server: Client checkin failed: (ipc/send) invalid destination port
Dec 19 09:11:55 marzuki mds[2105]: (Warning) Server: No stores registered for metascope "kMDQueryScopeComputer"
Dec 19 09:11:56 marzuki /usr/sbin/spindump[2103]: process 1971 is being monitored
Dec 19 09:12:22 marzuki /usr/sbin/spindump[2103]: process 1971 is being no longer being monitored

The only solution I have found is to disable Spotlight completely.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Dec 19, 2008 9:25 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 24, 2008 10:58 PM in response to ssood

Same problem here.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 10:47:42 PM US/Pacific
Dec 24 22:50:27 computerName mds[344]: /SourceCache/Spotlight/Spotlight-398.25/index/ContentIndex/JHPayload.c:3761: failed assertion 'delta <= position'
Dec 24 22:50:28 computerName ReportCrash[351]: Formulating crash report for process mds[344]
Dec 24 22:50:28 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40e160.mdworker[347]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:50:28 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40dfa0.mdworker[346]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:50:29 computerName ReportCrash[351]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2008-12-24-225028computerName.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Dec 24 22:50:30 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[344]): Exited abnormally: Bus error
Dec 24 22:50:50 computerName mds[352]: /SourceCache/Spotlight/Spotlight-398.25/index/ContentIndex/JHPayload.c:3761: failed assertion 'delta <= position'
Dec 24 22:50:51 computerName ReportCrash[356]: Formulating crash report for process mds[352]
Dec 24 22:50:51 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40d3f0.mdworker[353]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:50:51 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40dfa0.mdworker[354]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:50:51 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40e160.mdworker[355]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:50:51 computerName ReportCrash[356]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2008-12-24-225050computerName.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Dec 24 22:50:52 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[352]): Exited abnormally: Bus error
Dec 24 22:50:52 computerName mds[357]: (/)(Error) IndexGeneral in SIOpenIndex:check crashstate: 1 for /.Spotlight-V100/Store-V1/Stores/CB3A3B6D-577B-44EC-B75A-FFCD3584260D
Dec 24 22:52:11 computerName ReportCrash[363]: Formulating crash report for process mds[357]
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName mdworker[359]: (Fatal) Import: Importer mach message failure on request work: (-308) (ipc/mig) server died
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (0x40e160.mdworker[360]): Exited: Terminated
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[357]): Exited abnormally: Segmentation fault
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName ReportCrash[363]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2008-12-24-225211computerName.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName mds[364]: (Warning) Server: No stores registered for metascope "kMDQueryScopeComputer"
Dec 24 22:52:12 computerName mds[364]: (/.Spotlight-V100/Store-V1/Stores/CB3A3B6D-577B-44EC-B75A-FFCD3584260D)(Error) IndexCI in ContentIndexOpenBulk:No index

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Dec 24, 2008 11:21 PM in response to ssood

I recommend manually downloading and installing the COMBO update, repair permissions, restart, and then try indexing again.

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Answer 3

Alexandre

Level 3

854 points

Dec 24, 2008 11:42 PM in response to ssood

A normal index happens periodically, especially after some software updates, NVRAM/PRAM resets or after a period of the machine simply being switched off (e.g. on a holiday).
As the first line (in your log) has the error, finder is trying again and again (call it in desperation) to index as finder/ spotlight is an integral part of OSX. That's why - as opposed to PC's - search results are almost instantaneous on OSX.
If the combo update (as suggested by baltwo) does not work, try the PRAM/NVRAM reset http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
Don't work too hard today, whatever you are celebrating 🙂

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Answer 4

Dec 25, 2008 3:10 AM in response to ssood

I recently updated to 10.5.6 and have been struggling with a constantly indexing spotlight ever since.

Same here but I fixed that problem instantly. Open 'System Preferences' then click on 'Spotlight'. Click the Privacy button. Add any/all Hard Drives to this list. Shut Down. Power back up and when you hear the boot chime, hold down a 'Shift' key until the spinning circle appears. Login and remove any/all Hard Drives that you add to 'Spotlight' Privacy preferences. Then reboot as you normally do and logon. Be patience here as 'Spotlight' will start re-indexing again. Give it chance to finish.
Use the Activity Monitor to see if any other program maybe 'going nuts' and pigging out the CPU.

Happy Holidays.

Buzz

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Answer 5

Dec 27, 2008 4:29 PM in response to ssood

Fixed.

Starting in safe mode and repairing permissions, then restart in safe mode again and install 10.5.6 combo, shutdown completely. Start in safe mode and repair permissions. Reboot normally. Spotlight does a full reindex.

I also had bad ram that would trigger a reindex and higher processor loads as well as exhibited unreliable. Above steps worked to get a reindex even with the bad ram.

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Answer 6

Dec 27, 2008 5:25 PM in response to ssood

In my case Spotlight sometimes runs wild when indexing my internal FW drive, that I also use as a boot drive for maintenance.

What I do is to reset the Spotlight index by using:

sudo mdutil -a -v -E

This will erase the current index and re-create it from scratch.
I normally let it finish until I do something filesystem intensive.

There's a small dot in the magnifying glass while indexing.

Patrick

PS: I disconnect my external drives first

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Answer 7

ssood Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 5, 2009 8:59 AM in response to ssood

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately, none of them solved my problem. I tried:

1) restarting in safe-mode
2) repairing permissions
3) restarting in safe-mode
4) installing the combo update
5) restarting normally

My machine has been indexing for about 9 hours now and Spotlight status still says, "Estimating Indexing Time".

I am seeing this over and over again in my system log:

Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki mds[2984]: mds(2984,0xb081f000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)\n * error: can't allocate region\n * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]: mds(2984,0xb081f000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)
Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]: * error: can't allocate region
Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]: * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]: terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::bad_alloc'
Jan 5 08:37:13 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]: what(): St9bad_alloc
Jan 5 08:37:14 marzuki ReportCrash[2988]: Formulating crash report for process mds[2984]
Jan 5 08:37:14 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (0x10d370.mdworker[2987]): Exited: Terminated
Jan 5 08:37:15 marzuki ReportCrash[2988]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2009-01-05-083713marzuki.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Jan 5 08:37:15 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (0x10d160.mdworker[2986]): Exited: Terminated
Jan 5 08:37:15 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[2984]): Exited abnormally: Abort trap
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki mds[2989]: mds(2989,0xb081f000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)\n * error: can't allocate region\n * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]: mds(2989,0xb081f000) malloc: * mmap(size=45056) failed (error code=12)
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]: * error: can't allocate region
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]: * set a breakpoint in malloc errorbreak to debug
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]: terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::bad_alloc'
Jan 5 08:38:14 marzuki com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]: what(): St9bad_alloc
Jan 5 08:38:15 marzuki ReportCrash[2995]: Formulating crash report for process mds[2989]
Jan 5 08:38:15 marzuki mdworker[2992]: (Fatal) Import: Importer mach message failure on request work: (-308) (ipc/mig) server died
Jan 5 08:38:15 marzuki mdworker[2991]: (Fatal) Import: Importer mach message failure on request work: (-308) (ipc/mig) server died
Jan 5 08:38:15 marzuki ReportCrash[2995]: Saved crashreport to /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/mds 2009-01-05-083814marzuki.crash using uid: 0 gid: 0, euid: 0 egid: 0
Jan 5 08:38:16 marzuki com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.metadata.mds[2989]): Exited abnormally: Abort trap

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jan 5, 2009 12:47 PM in response to ssood

Your current installation has a hosed metadata processing issue. I recommend doing an Archive & Install, saving user and network, installation, followed by reinstalling the latest COMBO update. Just ensure that you have a tested, bootable backup/clone.

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Answer 9

ssood Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 8, 2009 12:29 PM in response to baltwo

The archive/install worked. My Spotlight is behaved and finished indexing in a couple hours.

I thought when I switched to a Mac from Windows a couple years ago, my days of having to reinstall the OS where over.

I guess I was wrong :/

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Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jan 8, 2009 12:39 PM in response to ssood

Thanks for the feedback. Sometimes that's the only solution; however, it isn't normal for most users, like it is in the windoze world. Good computing.

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Answer 11

jenspa

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2009 4:05 PM in response to ssood

Just writing to confirm that reinstalling Leopard fixed it, as others say.

(I had the same problem with Spotlight indexing over and over, and Console messages with mds segmentation faults. As others, tried different "fix it" tools, also in single user mode, resetting PROM, safe mode test, add/remove from Privacy list, deleting .plist and .Spotlight-V100, etc etc.

-- The Good Thing is that reinstallation of Leopard was a breeze, after installation (Archive&Install) over installation, it even remembered my open finder windows from before installing the OS. Probably not that complicated, but even though, really impressive I must say).

One thing for others to compare, is that I had just recently installed Leopard (w. COMBO update) on a brand new disk, and restored my files from Time Machine. Maybe TM has something to do with it...

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