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Level 1

63 points

Too Much Inactive RAM, Too Little Free RAM

I used to have a 2007 iMac running Snow Leopard, and I switched to a 2011 iMac running Mountain Lion. On both of my computers, I kept running out of free RAM after a while, and my inactive RAM kept taking up all my free RAM. It still does it. I end up with around 30MB of free RAM, a reasonable amount of active RAM, and a massive amount of inactive RAM after a few days, then my computer slows down a lot.

I have to keep flushing the inactive RAM with a memory cleaning tool or else my computer slows to a crawl. Repairing the permissions is supposed to clean out the inactive RAM (thanks, Tuttle), but alarmingly, this doesn't work for me. There must be something causing this problem, and I want to find it. How do I do this? Can processes currently running be using inactive RAM, or is that only possible if they have just been closed? Is there a tool that can check how much inactive RAM is allocated to each process?

P.S. To make it clear: I know that I'm not supposed to worry about inactive RAM and let the system do its own optimization, but it must not be doing it right because it's causing extremely noticeable slowdowns. The computer is like a Geo Metro pulling a whale if I don't flush the inactive RAM periodically.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), 2011 model

Posted on Jun 26, 2013 11:34 AM

31 replies

etresoft

Level 8

46,602 points

Jun 27, 2013 7:27 AM in response to d00dbro

Sorry for the trouble with EtreCheck. I couldn't reproduce the problem, but I released a new version to try to clear up any confusion.

From your screenshots, you seem to have the triumvirate of problems - an ancient startup item, a bunch of 3rd party kernel extensions, and a bunch of failed Apple system services.

Your problem definitely isn't RAM. You should remove those 3rd party system software until all of the Apple system software is working properly. It may take a few restarts.

d00dbro Author

Level 1

63 points

Jun 27, 2013 1:18 PM in response to etresoft

I think you're right. I went and cleared out a lot of those startup items, and I THINK it's working right now. By the way, your software is great. I didn't know I had all those launch daemons and agents.

I'll mark your answer as THE answer once I'm sure that it's working right.

d00dbro Author

Level 1

63 points

Jul 1, 2013 6:59 PM in response to d00dbro

Yes, that's doing it. I think it was Wireshark.

d00dbro Author

Level 1

63 points

Jul 1, 2013 6:59 PM in response to John Galt

I wish I could mark 2 correct answers. I think Wireshark was the problem. Thanks, everyone.

John Galt

Level 10

141,314 points

Jul 1, 2013 11:24 PM in response to d00dbro

Great!

Thanks for the information, and thanks etresoft for the update.

d00dbro Author

Level 1

63 points

Jul 3, 2013 6:26 PM in response to d00dbro

CTM, I'm having the same problem in a virtual machine running Mountain Lion now, I think due to the Google Hangout plugin.

Jan 6, 2014 2:01 AM in response to d00dbro

Hi guys,

I am having exactly the same issue, 16GB of RAM and having 8-9 Inactive RAM on a constant basis without running any special applications that might justify this.

etresoft, would it be possible to help me in a similar way in identifying the root cause of this?

Thanks,

Dan

Jan 6, 2014 2:10 AM in response to etresoft

Hi,

Would it be possible to help me as well with identifying my root cause of having 8-9GB of inactive RAM on a constant basis?

Below is the report from Etresoft :

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2

1 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4 cores

16 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB

AMD Radeon HD 6750M - VRAM: 512 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.8.5 (12F45) - Uptime: 2 days 18:27:20

Disk Information:

APPLE HDD HTS727575A9E362 disk0 : (750,16 GB)

disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209,7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /: 749,3 GB (82,59 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Kernel Extensions:

com.checkpoint.cpfw (1.0 - SDK 10.6)

com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.2)

com.splashtop.driver.SRXDisplayCard (1.6 - SDK 10.7)

com.mcafee.kext.Virex (1.1.0d1)

Startup Items:

AltirisAgent: Path: /Library/StartupItems/AltirisAgent

ChmodBPF: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ChmodBPF

Problem System Launch Daemons:

[failed] com.apple.coresymbolicationd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[failed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

Problem System Launch Agents:

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] AgentService.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.checkpoint.epc.service.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.dartware.InterMapperDataCenter.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.dartware.InterMapperServer.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.ipass.monitordaemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[failed] com.lithiumcorp.clientd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[failed] com.lithiumcorp.database.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.lithiumcorp.lithium.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.lithiumcorp.mars.plist 3rd-Party support link

[invalid] com.mcafee.ssm.Eupdate.plist

[invalid] com.mcafee.ssm.ScanFactory.plist

[invalid] com.mcafee.ssm.ScanManager.plist

[loaded] com.mcafee.virusscan.fmpd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.realvnc.vncserver.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceDaemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[failed] com.tvmobili.tvmobilisvcd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] local.imac.route.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] route.plist 3rd-Party support link

Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.checkpoint.eps.gui.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.checkpoint.eps.upgrader.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.gui.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.mcafee.menulet.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.mcafee.reporter.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.realvnc.vncserver.peruser.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.realvnc.vncserver.prelogin.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.splashtop.streamer.SRServiceAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[failed] com.tvmobili.artwork.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] net.culater.SIMBL.Agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.hp.printerAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.plexapp.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[loaded] com.vladalexa.MagicPrefs.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Login Items:

Connected Backup

BitTorrent

My Day

iPassConnect-3.2

VMware Fusion Helper

Microsoft Database Daemon

RescueTime

iTunesHelper

InterMapperMenu

TwonkyServer

VMware Fusion Start Menu

Dropbox

Cisco Jabber

RescueTime

Vuze

Spotify

iPass Open Mobile

Internet Plug-ins:

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

net.juniper.DSSafariExtensions: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

NP_2020Player_IKEA: Version: 5.0.94.1 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.8 3rd-Party support link

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.9r620 3rd-Party support link

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 45 3rd-Party support link

Audio Plug-ins:

AirPlay: Version: 1.7 - SDK 10.8

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.1 - SDK 10.8

User Internet Plug-ins:

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Picasa: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 3rd-Party support link

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player 3rd-Party support link

Growl 3rd-Party support link

iPassConnect 3rd-Party support link

Java 3rd-Party support link

MagicPrefs 3rd-Party support link

Bad Fonts:

None

Old Applications:

vpndownloader: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

/opt/cisco/vpn/bin/vpndownloader.app

Microsoft AutoUpdate: Version: 2.3.4 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/Microsoft AutoUpdate.app

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MERP2.0

Microsoft Error Reporting: Version: 2.2.8 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Ship Asserts: Version: 1.1.3 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Xerox Scan Utility: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

/Applications/Xerox/Xerox Scan Utility/Xerox Scan Utility.app

Chicken: Version: 2.2b2 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

/Applications/Cisco

Uninstall AnyConnect: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 697.84 GB Disk used: 620.92 GB

Destinations:

ZEUS [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 362.05 GB

Total number of backups: 28

Oldest backup: 2013-11-15 10:46:58 +0000

Last backup: 2013-12-25 18:49:04 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 362.05 GB < (Disk used 620.92 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

9% Meeting Center

7% coreaudiod

4% AgentService

3% Cisco Jabber

3% Mail

Top Processes by Memory:

721 MB firefox

557 MB Spotify

344 MB mds

295 MB CalendarAgent

279 MB Mail

Virtual Memory Information:

33 MB Free RAM

5.28 GB Active RAM

8.83 GB Inactive RAM

1.85 GB Wired RAM

6.70 GB Page-ins

4.54 GB Page-outs ??? highlighted in red

Thanks in advance,

Dan

etresoft

Level 8

46,602 points

Jan 6, 2014 7:14 AM in response to dlxneamtu

You do seem to have a RAM problem. I'm sure it is related to your impressive list of 3rd party system modifications. Some of those are in a failed state and you would be better off if more of them were 🙂. There is no quick fix other than taking an axe to all of those and cleaning things out. Once you get your system running correctly, you can reinstall the latest version of the software you really can't live without.

Jan 7, 2014 11:26 PM in response to etresoft

I cleaned many of them and it seems stable now with less than 1.5GB inactive and 8GB free, under a similar usage pattern.

thanks for the help!

mmahalwy

Level 1

0 points

Feb 3, 2014 9:20 PM in response to d00dbro

I am having a similar problem too and can't seem to pin point what to do next. Any help from dlxneamtu or etresoft would be great!

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro10,1

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4 cores

8 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1024 MB

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M - VRAM: 1024 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 4:4:58

Disk Information:

APPLE SSD SM256E disk0 : (251 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /: 250.14 GB (122.28 GB free)

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

USB Information:

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Dell Dell USB Optical Mouse

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Kernel Extensions:

Problem System Launch Daemons:

Problem System Launch Agents:

Launch Daemons:

[System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.bombich.ccc.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

Launch Agents:

[System] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Launch Agents:

[not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Login Items:

gfxCardStatus

GrowlHelperApp

Dropbox

Google Drive

Internet Plug-ins:

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010 3rd-Party support link

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

npgtpo3dautoplugin: Version: 0.1.44.29 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010 3rd-Party support link

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Outdated! Update

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 1.9 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 2.0.0 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

User Internet Plug-ins:

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 3rd-Party support link

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player 3rd-Party support link

Growl 3rd-Party support link

Bad Fonts:

None

Old Applications:

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MERP2.0

Microsoft Error Reporting: Version: 2.2.9 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Ship Asserts: Version: 1.1.4 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

Solver: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office/Add-Ins/Solver.app

SLLauncher: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.app

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office

Open XML for Excel: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Office Setup Assistant: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Alerts Daemon: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

SyncServicesAgent: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Database Daemon: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Graph: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Database Utility: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Office Reminders: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Upload Center: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

My Day: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Chart Converter: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Clip Gallery: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011

Microsoft PowerPoint: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Excel: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Outlook: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Word: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Document Connection: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Microsoft Language Register: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Additional Tools/Microsoft Language Register/Microsoft Language Register.app

/Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/Server

NETserver: Version: 1.1.7 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

USBserver: Version: 1.1.3 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

dynamiclinkmanager: Version: 6.0.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/dynamiclink/CS6/dynamiclinkmanager.app

Microsoft AutoUpdate: Version: 2.3.6 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/Microsoft AutoUpdate.app

dynamiclinkmediaserver: Version: 6.0.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/dynamiclinkmediaserver/1.0/dynamiclinkmediaserver.app

Time Machine:

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 232.96 GB Disk used: 119.08 GB

Destinations:

My Passport for Mac [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 465.61 GB

Total number of backups: (null)

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 465.61 GB > (Disk used 119.08 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

6% coreaudiod

5% Google Chrome

4% WindowServer

2% EtreCheck

1% Memory Clean

Top Processes by Memory:

295 MB Finder

295 MB Adobe Illustrator

229 MB Safari

205 MB WindowServer

197 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

Virtual Memory Information:

107 MB Free RAM

2.99 GB Active RAM

2.91 GB Inactive RAM

1015 MB Wired RAM

4.89 GB Page-ins

22 MB Page-outs

May 15, 2014 7:59 AM in response to etresoft

Hi there,

I wonder could you assist me in a similar way? My Memroy Used is consistently scraping the 4GB limit! Here's the EtreCheck report :

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2

1 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics - VRAM: 288 MB

NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 256 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.2 (13C1021) - Uptime: 0 days 1:54:5

Disk Information:

Hitachi HTS545050B9SA02 disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (57.07 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898

USB Information:

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Information:

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions:

[kext loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.67) Support

[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.67) Support

Startup Items:

Qmaster: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Qmaster

Problem System Launch Daemons:

[failed] com.apple.smbd.plist

Launch Daemons:

[failed] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

[running] com.rim.BBDaemon.plist Support

[loaded] com.sonos.smbbump.plist Support

[running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

[running] com.rim.BBLaunchAgent.plist Support

[running] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

[failed] com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist Support

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist Support

User Login Items:

iTunesHelper

AirPort Base Station Agent

Microsoft AU Daemon

EEventManager

Microsoft Excel

Firefox

EvernoteHelper

Dropbox

Boingo Wi-Finder

GraphicConverter 9

Google Drive

Google Chrome

GrowlMenu

BlackBerry Device Manager

Internet Plug-ins:

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.3.1.18536 Support

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.0 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.2.1.11 Support

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) Support

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.206 - SDK 10.6 Support

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 1.4 Support

Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.206 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.3.1.18536 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.0.0 Support

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 Support

ContentUploaderPlugin: Version: 1.2 Support

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User iTunes Plug-ins:

AudioScrobbler: Version: 6.0.5 - SDK 10.8 Support

User Internet Plug-ins:

fbplugin_1_0_3: Version: (null) Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

3ivx MPEG-4 Support

DivX Support

Flash Player Support

Flip4Mac WMV Support

Growl Support

Perian Support

Trusteer Endpoint Protection Support

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 464.96 GB Disk used: 411.81 GB

Destinations:

G-DRIVE [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 931.39 GB

Total number of backups: 9

Oldest backup: 2013-08-20 05:47:50 +0000

Last backup: 2014-04-28 17:08:19 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 931.39 GB < (Disk used 411.81 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

14% firefox

2% AddressBookSourceSync

2% mtmd

1% Mail

1% plugin-container

Top Processes by Memory:

695 MB firefox

143 MB Mail

94 MB WindowServer

90 MB Google Chrome

70 MB Finder

Virtual Memory Information:

190 MB Free RAM

1.22 GB Active RAM

1.05 GB Inactive RAM

858 MB Wired RAM

1.12 GB Page-ins

127 MB Page-outs

May 16, 2014 4:14 PM in response to snookershoes

inactive memory is basically apps that are running in the background and are not doing anything.

Just close some of the apps that are open and in the background, that will clear most of the inactive memory and release it to the free memory.

I have a macbook pro late 2011 upgraded to 16g ram, new ssd hd. Since i got those two updates and most intensive apps run just fine.

d00dbro Author

Level 1

63 points

May 19, 2014 9:58 AM in response to dlxneamtu

3rd-party launch daemons and such are the root of all Mac slowness (besides updating to Mavericks) 😀

A Mac with a clean installation tends to be so much more responsive than one bloated with random software. EtreCheck, being the only thing I've found that tells you about EVERYTHING that will launch automatically, is extremely useful for remedying this and has fixed the problem for me. That's why I marked Etresoft's response as the answer.

That being said, VMWare Fusion causes nasty problems with inactive RAM sometimes that you can't really avoid.

weltact

Level 1

8 points

Jul 17, 2014 12:28 PM in response to d00dbro

I have the same problem, 16 GB of RAM, and about 10 GB always taken up by Inactive memory

Would you be able to have a look at my report and tell me what's hogging the memory.

Thanks a million!

-------------------------------------------

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated 17 July 2014 20:14:56 GMT+01:00

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2

1 2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4 cores

16 GB RAM

Video Information:

AMD Radeon HD 6490M - VRAM: 256 MB

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB

Color LCD 1680 x 1050

System Software:

Mac OS X 10.7.5 (11G63) - Uptime: 22 days 2:42:51

Disk Information:

WDC WD10JPVT-00A1YT0 disk0 : (1 TB)

disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

? (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 999.35 GB (4.74 GB free) (Low!)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) /Volumes/Recovery HD: 650 MB (143.8 MB free)

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

Western Digital Ext HDD 1021 2 TB

disk2s1 (disk2s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

WD Elements Backup (disk2s2) /Volumes/WD Elements Backup: 2 TB (317 GB free)

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

FireWire Information:

LaCie Rugged FW/USB 800mbit - 800mbit max

disk1s1 (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 32 KB

LaCie (disk1s3) /Volumes/LaCie: 499.97 GB (340.94 GB free)

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple, Inc. MacBook Pro

Kernel Extensions:

[not loaded] arcana.PRAM (6.1) Support

[not loaded] com.avid.usb.mboxmini.driver (1.0.4) Support

[not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBAudio2DJDriver (2.5.3 - SDK 10.7) Support

[not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBAudio4DJDriver (2.5.3 - SDK 10.7) Support

[loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBHardwareDriver (2.6.0 - SDK 10.7) Support

[not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBTraktorAudio2Driver (2.5.3 - SDK 10.7) Support

[not loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBTraktorKontrolS4Driver (2.5.3 - SDK 10.7) Support

[loaded] com.caiaq.driver.NIUSBTraktorKontrolX1Driver (2.5.1 - SDK 10.7) Support

[not loaded] com.digidesign.fwfamily.driver (8.0.4f2) Support

[loaded] com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal (8.0.4f2) Support

[loaded] com.digidesign.iokit.DigiIO (8.0.4f2) Support

[not loaded] com.digidesign.mbox2.boot.driver (10.3.5f211 - SDK 10.6) Support

[not loaded] com.digidesign.mbox2.driver (10.3.5f211 - SDK 10.6) Support

[not loaded] com.digidesign.usb.elevenrack.driver (1.0.1) Support

[loaded] com.logitech.manager.kernel.driver (3.30 - SDK 10.6) Support

[loaded] com.markspace.driver.Android.RNDIS (1.2) Support

[not loaded] com.native-instruments.driver.NIUSBDeviceHelper (1.1.0 - SDK 10.7) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.leopard (5.9 - SDK 10.4) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.master (5.9 - SDK 10.6) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.panther (5.9 - SDK 10.3) Support

[loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard (5.9 - SDK 10.6) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.tiger (5.9 - SDK 10.4) Support

[not loaded] com.roxio.BluRaySupport (1.1.6) Support

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0) Support

Startup Items:

ArcanaStartupSound: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ArcanaStartupSound

ChmodBPF: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ChmodBPF

Digidesign Mbox 2: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Digidesign Mbox 2

DigidesignLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DigidesignLoader

M-Audio Firmware Loader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/M-Audio Firmware Loader

MidiSportLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/MidiSportLoader

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[running] com.digidesign.elevenrack.helper.plist Support

[running] com.digidesign.fwfamily.helper.plist Support

[running] com.freemacsoft.appcleanerd.plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

[loaded] PACESupport.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[running] com.avid.mboxmini.helper.plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

[running] com.logitech.manager.daemon.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist Support

[loaded] com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist Support

[loaded] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist Support

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist Support

[running] com.vladalexa.MagicPrefs.plist Support

User Login Items:

Quicksilver

SizzlingKeys4iTunes

MagicPrefs

SmashTunes

AppCleaner Helper

SizzlingKeys

SizzlingKeys4iTunes

autoEJECT

Dropbox

Music Manager

Ejector

CrossOver CD Helper

Google Drive

NIHardwareAgent

Internet Plug-ins:

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 Support

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 Support

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.1 Support

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 Support

PDF Browser Plugin: Version: 2.4.2 - SDK 10.6 Support

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2 Support

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 Support

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 Support

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.8.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

Safari Extensions:

Vidx: Version: 2.0

iGetter Extension: Version: 2.8.8

DivX Plus Web Player HTML5 <video>: Version: 2.1.2.145

AdBlock: Version: 2.4.23

Audio Plug-ins:

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.1 - SDK 10.7

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.3 - SDK 10.7

User iTunes Plug-ins:

AudioScrobbler: Version: 6.0.5 - SDK 10.8 Support

User Internet Plug-ins:

iGetter Plugin: Version: 2.8 Support

iGetterBundle: Version: 2.8 Support

iGetterScriptablePlugin: Version: 2.8.8 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Digidesign Eleven Rack Support

DigidesignMbox2 Support

Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro Support

DivX Support

Flash Player Support

Flip4Mac WMV Support

Logitech Preference Manager Support

MagicPrefs Support

MenuMeters Support

MusicManager Support

Native Instruments USB Audio Support

Perian Support

ArcanaStartupSound Support

Time Machine:

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

4% activitymonitord

3% WindowServer

2% Activity Monitor

1% SystemUIServer

0% fontd

Top Processes by Memory:

229 MB mds

213 MB Finder

164 MB Quicksilver

147 MB Google Chrome

98 MB Dropbox

Virtual Memory Information:

1.07 GB Free RAM

3.10 GB Active RAM

10.13 GB Inactive RAM

1.68 GB Wired RAM

45.87 GB Page-ins

83 MB Page-outs

Too Much Inactive RAM, Too Little Free RAM