Frequent freezes since update to 10.6.8

Hello Arnaud:

I would also reset the SMC.

If that does not help, I think I would download the OS X 10.6.8 combo updater and reapply it.

Barry

P.S. I have not had any problems at all after installing the update, but your system is different from mine. I also think the permission repair thing has nothing at all to do with your issues. IMHO, repairing permissions is a waste of time - although I admit I do it myself after software updates.

Hi:

Link below:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1400

Barry

Repairing permissions IS extremely important for Apple software updates, especially for OSX updates. It is not important for third party software although, it does keep Finder in the loop of what is going on.

My only suggestion for this problem would be to install and run Onyx. After install, open it and cancel the disc checks. Then, select 'Automation' and execute. It is a good idea to include the internet and font caches in the selections although, the default setting are fine. There is a warning that comes with Onyx to back up all your data before running it, which you should done anyway. However, I have used Onyx since the early days of Panther and NEVER had any sort of negative issues with it. Only positive system glitch fixes.

Onyx: http://www.titanium.free.fr/download.php?sid=009ef3958bc955645bb3772f3554c753

Hi,

For whats its worth I have always adhered to the following OS update procedure ever since owning a Mac.

I can't remember where I found this originally but it has always worked for me and I have never (touch wood) had an issue.

i) Download the COMBO OS update - NOT the delta one. It will take longer but its worth it.

ii) Turn off Mac

iii) Boot Mac in Safe mode by press shift key whilst switching on the Mac and leave shift pressed until Apple logo appears. Mac will take longer to boot but will present user login with red Safe mode tag. Login.

iv) Run a permissions repair from Disk Utility.

v) Run COMBO updater and allow the Mac to reboot.

vi) Login as normal but immediately run permissions repair again from Disk Utility.

vii) Reboot Mac for final time again and all should now be well.

Not sure it will help you but its certainly worth noting for the future.

Regards and Good Luck.

Hmmmmm.... Puzzling! A friend of mine had a similar issue with his 27" iMac and after a week of playing around it ended in an OS reinstall. The only thing I can think of is to start deleting preference files of offending apps, finder, software update and pretty much anything else that tickles your fancy. You may get lucky and fix it or you may not.

I know it is a hassle reinstalling the OS, but if you have your stuff backed up just do it. Three or four hours of reinstalling software is better than two weeks suffering with a crippled machine. Ne?

If you go the reinstall route, remember to run the permissions repair between updates. It is also wise to only install the updates a few at a time.

See how you go.

SR

I have the same 20-30 second hangs, but constantly--about every 15 secondsor so. I'm hung more than not, though just like you, everything seems to be normal between hangs. Very odd. I've tried all the usual things and am now reinstalling SL from disk. We'll see if it fixes things.

I have the exact same kind of freeze with my MacBook Pro 5,3 - 15'' with SSD drive. From time to time while accessing the network all processes stop as if they were locked, no CPU usage. Very frustrating, getting the wheel spinning for minutes before being able to do anything. Multiple Outlook crashes and MS database repairs. Have re-apply combo upgrade and repair permissions without much success. Have not found any way to revert to previous state of the OS. Any help is welcome.

Arnaud,

Thanks for getting back to me. I got my SSD from Apple with my MBP, are you suggesting that I should have it replaced or checked by Apple to get back to normal?

Regards,

Arnaud,

I am also experiencing the frequent freezes and the 100% CPU usage since the upgrade. I looked online and fixed the CPU usage with the fix mentioned in the thread but still have the freezes.

I just verified my permissions and i had a bunch issues. I repaired them and now they're reporting ok. I'm going to try resetting SMC and I hope that takes care of it.

I read your comment about the SATA II drives and i wanted to let you know i don't think it's that. I had two SATA 2 drives in my macbook and upgraded to 2 SATA 3 drives two days ago. I thought the freezes were related to one of my drives but now i not sure. I don't remember having any problems with my old SSDs but then again i can't remember if i upgraded to 10.6.8 when i had those in my system. I guess what i'm saying is that it appears the problem occurs regardless of if you have SATA 2 or SATA 3 SSDs in the system.

Something that i found odd was some of my xbench scores. Before i fixed the CPU problem i received about a 600 for my SSDs. Right after i fixed it went down to about 440. I did the permission fix and it went back up to 500 then right back down to 440s. I don't know if that has anything to do with the upgrade but it's definitely odd...

I'm half tempted to reinstall OSX not upgrade to 10.6.8. I could see that stops the freezes stop and if the Xbench results go back to the 600s.... If not, Lions only a week away. Maybe that will fix everything. Hopefully someone has some suggestions. If i decide to reinstall ill post my findings.

I have a MacBook Pro 13 and have been experiencing the same problems: freezing every few min for 15-20 seconds since I got the last update.

I too am having frequent freezes, It's even freezing while backing up. I've tried permissions repair and even did a disk repair to no avail. My freezes, however, do not end ....I would call that more of a stall... I have to reboot the computer via the start button. Not happy at all. At this point, I just want to backup my data and do a clean install... just can't seem to get through the backup without the **** thing freezing. Grrrrr.