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Level 1

8 points

Where has all my RAM gone? (Super Slow!)

I am still struggling with the same problem. My MacBook is SUPER SLOW after Snow Leopard installment.
1. I have reinstalled - did not work
2. I have done various disk repairs (all ok!) accept for a Warning that reads: SUID file "System/Library?CoreS....has been modified and will not be repaired.
3. I have add an extra 1Gig RAM (now 2 Gig RAM) - with no effect. The Activity Monitor still show that I only have 7-10MB memory available, the same as when I had 1 Gig RAM. Where does all my memory go too?
4. I have tried upgrade to 10.6.2 (The combo). As soon as I start the following error appear: SafariErrorDomainError2. (Is this my problem or Apple's problem?) So, my Mac is still not upgrade to 10.6.2....!?
5. I did the Command Option R/P. The computer is then back to normal for only 2 minutes and then it gradually gets slower and slower and showed that I have used 1,99Gig of RAM on the Activity Monitor.
When my Mac starts up, al is well for 2 minutes and then it gets slower gradually and gradually. Sucking up all my memory. Where is my memory going too?

I am loosing money and time. The advice from South Africa Consultants was not helpful. I need to get working, and I do not very much want to return to Microsoft!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Jan 12, 2010 10:30 PM

33 replies

hwpienaar Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2010 12:20 AM in response to Tim Campbell1

Best Tim

I have turned off File Vault. It seems however that the computer cant decrypt it. It shows approximate time of 3 hours. I left it the whole nite and the next morning it was still trying to decrypt my home folder with the bar showing no progress and still showing 3hours. I then cancelled it and it is dowing the same, it is trying to cancel the decrypting now for several hours...now progress.

1. What should I do to stop the cancelling of the decrypting without causing more problems?

2. Would it be possible to create a new account, copy my data to that account and delete this account which cause so much trouble. It is been a while now that I struggle with this problem. It cost time and money...?

If you think we can solve the problem I am still willing to try.

Thabx, Hennie.

Message was edited by: hwpienaar

Jan 26, 2010 8:08 AM in response to hwpienaar

You mentioned a few posts ago that you were going to make the backup. Were you able to do that?

FileVault creates an encrypted disk image called a "sparseimage". The disk image is basically just one very large file (I think 50GB is the maximum size allowed but it will grow or shrink as needed within that limit). The only file in your home directory is the sparseimage.

When you switch off FileVault the Mac begins copying the files inside the sparseimage out to normal files in your home directory. Only after everything in the sparseimage has been unloaded will the sparseimage be deleted.

It seems as if something corrupt inside your sparseimage is preventing it from making further progress. The good news is that the sparseimage should still be there.

If the Mac is making no progress (and it sounds like you've already let it run for a day) and the "cancel" operation isn't canceling even after many hours it sounds like it's just stuck.

If it isn't giving you any other option, hold the power button for several seconds and it will kill the power. You can then reboot.

Log in to a different account on your Mac (not the account with the problems).

You can follow these instructions to see if it can repair the FileVault:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2631

These were written for 10.3 & 10.4 -- I can't find an updated version for 10.5 or 10.6, but reading the the instructions carefully there should be no difference. The instructions just explain how to alter file permissions to allow a 2nd account on the Mac to gain read/write access to the sparseimage file and then how to use Disk Utility to open the image and perform First Aid. That really hasn't changed since 10.4.

If the repair does not work you will likely need to restore from backup. You can do this by creating a new account, restore the files from your backup. After verifying that this worked you can delete the original account and reclaim it's disk space.

hwpienaar Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 29, 2010 2:32 PM in response to Tim Campbell1

Best Tim
When I want to copy the files of the newly created disk image to my new home folder i get the message: cant be modified or deleted because its required by Mac OS X
I followed the instructions as refered. I am doing something wrong...or skipped something?
Hennie

Where has all my RAM gone? (Super Slow!)