Mac applications still not responding after multiple attempts to fix

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Level 1

5 points

Mac applications still not responding after multiple attempts to fix

Hello you wonderful people of Apple.

I'm a university student using a MacBook Pro (early 2011) that in the last week has started falling apart on me. Before last week I had no big issues.

The first thing I noticed was one week ago. I tried to save a file in TextEdit I had been writing code in. When I hit Command+S to save, I got the Beach Ball and no save dialog ever appeared. I ended up force quitting Finder, but after that I couldn't get it started again. I restarted my Mac.

This happened three more times whenever I wanted to use a Save, Open, or Print Dialog. Each time I would need to restart, which would fix the problem for about 6 hours.

I went online and found instructions for deleting the .plist files, which is supposed to help but did not help.

The next thing I noticed was Time Machine stopped backing up on a daily basis. It was then (and still is now) stuck on "Looking for backup disk..." when I attempt to connect to my Time Machine to back up. To remedy this I tried going to System Preferences and into the Time Machine screen, then clicking the "options" button to see what would happen. It froze. I haven't yet been able to get this to work. Each time I must end the process in Activity Monitor.

Starting three days ago, random base applications have begun freezing upon exit or normal execution. iTunes does this most often (because I use it most often, I think). As I type, this is happening with iTunes, Console, TextEdit, and System Preferences. The only way to get them working is to forcibly restart the computer. When I try to restart with the simple "restart" button in the top-left, it does not execute because Finder stops responding.

I have verified and repaired disk permissions and verified and repaired the disk itself twice. Earlier today I reinstalled OSX from my most recent Time Machine backup, now a week old.

I'm not sure what my next step should be. Note that I cannot use Console whatsoever. It does not show a screen when open.

Things I have noticed:

-Safari and Safari Web Content are together taking up 700MB Real Memory. I have no previous statistic to compare this to, but it seems high.

-I've been monitoring processes on Activity Monitor for days, and nothing horrible seems to be popping up. Average User CPU%: 7, Average System CPU%: 11 (by my guess)

I have used ClamXav to check my system; no problems. I used EtreCheck to check my system; the first time it told me a process took 99% of CPU, and I copied the info down but I can't find that file anymore (it was not backed up to Time Machine). Subsequent runs have proven to freeze EtreCheck.

I'm lost as to what to do next. This is a great computer, but I've always felt it's a little slow for 8GB of RAM. Is it possible I have a system leak? Or a non-detectable virus?

So far the only things I can do reliably are surf the web and... that's it.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I tried to attach a screenshot of my Activity Monitor showing 5 applications frozen, but Preview froze; trying to save it in Paintbrush, the old "no save dialog" problem occurred (see above).

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 29, 2013 6:33 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Sep 29, 2013 6:57 PM in response to MessMan64

MessMan64 wrote:

I have verified and repaired disk permissions and verified and repaired the disk itself twice. Earlier today I reinstalled OSX from my most recent Time Machine backup, now a week old.

Given that you installed an older OS that was working, it would seem not to be a software issue.

When you repaired disk, did it repair anything either/both times? If so, this could indicate a HD issue.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 29, 2013 7:19 PM in response to MessMan64

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

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Answer 3

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:23 PM in response to tjk

Reply to tjk:

The first time I repaired, it was something about my file directory. (Hard links or something? I forget.) The second time I had no issues.

To clarify, I reinstalled from my Time Machine at a time when I was also running the most updated version of OSX. So both versions should be the same and only differ by a week, if that's what you're talking about. Apologies, I'm a bit naive in that area.

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Answer 4

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:22 PM in response to Linc Davis

Reply to Linc:

Thanks for the steps (I'm sure you have that copied somewhere!). The results:

Step 1 (Guest account)

- Man that is beautiful and quick. It seemed like brand new. I had no issues, everything opened immediately. It took me back to 2011 when I first got this thing. I can use Finder, quit and open anything, etc. I was unable to test Time Machine.

Step 2 (Safe Mode)

- Everything opened here too, I can use Finder, go through folders, look at that "Option" button on Time Machine Preferences, everything. I attempted to run Time Machine, but it said it couldn't connect. I'm guessing that's a part of Safe Mode, so no problem.

So overall, testing both ways gave me none of the issues I experience here on my main account.

I'm going to have dreams about that guest user account's speed.

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Answer 5

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:24 PM in response to MessMan64

MessMan64 wrote:

The first time I repaired, it was something about my file directory. (Hard links or something? I forget.) The second time I had no issues.

That should clear the HD as a suspect, although Disk Utility is far from perfect.

To clarify, I reinstalled from my Time Machine at a time when I was also running the most updated version of OSX. So both versions should be the same and only differ by a week, if that's what you're talking about.

It's not the version I'm talking about, but that it's an earlier "copy" which, apparently, was working fine at the time. If that's the case, reinstalling it should put a "clean" OS back on your MBP.

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Answer 6

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:28 PM in response to tjk

Reply to tjk:

Ah yes, I understand. I guess that it may be possible the final backup before my issues could contain the problem, however. I'm not sure of that as a likelihood. Would it be helpful to erase and reinstall back further? I am somewhat anxious about that as I might lose something for school.

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Answer 7

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:33 PM in response to MessMan64

If important data is at risk, I would advise against it for now. I suspect Linc is going to give you some good advice what to do next, now that it's narrowed down to your user account.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:56 PM in response to MessMan64

You may have more than one issue. Are you able to do this when not in safe mode:

Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.

Also, can you launch the TextEdit application?

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Answer 9

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 29, 2013 9:06 PM in response to Linc Davis

Reply to Linc:

I use Terminal quite frequently, so I can confirm both that I have been able to access it both this past week and right now. As I have just (within the last hour) restarted my computer to exit safe mode, my computer is not exhibiting all the described problems; those normally take a few hours to show up while I'm doing my normal activities, which is unfortunate for troubleshooting. Right now I can launch/quit iTunes, Terminal, TextEdit, and System Preferences. Within TextEdit I can save and load files.

So to answer your question, yes I can launch Terminal via Spotlight and TextEdit via Spotlight.

UPDATE:

Immediately after posting this message, I started a Time Machine backup. Once I started it, I opened iTunes again. It is now non-responsive, as is TextEdit and Console. Terminal and Disk Utility still work. Time Machine is still "Looking for backup disk..." as before.

Message was edited by: MessMan64

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 29, 2013 10:00 PM in response to MessMan64

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, they may not work as described.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It won’t solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Third-party system modifications are a common cause of usability problems. By a “system modification,” I mean software that affects the operation of other software — potentially for the worse. The following procedure will help identify which such modifications you've installed. Don’t be alarmed by the complexity of these instructions — they’re easy to carry out and won’t change anything on your Mac.

These steps are to be taken while booted in “normal” mode, not in safe mode. If you’re now running in safe mode, reboot as usual before continuing.

Below are instructions to enter some UNIX shell commands. The commands are harmless, but they must be entered exactly as given in order to work. If you have doubts about the safety of the procedure suggested here, search this site for other discussions in which it’s been followed without any report of ill effects.

Some of the commands will line-wrap or scroll in your browser, but each one is really just a single line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, and you can then copy it. The headings “Step 1” and so on are not part of the commands.

Note: If you have more than one user account, Step 2 must be taken as an administrator. Ordinarily that would be the user created automatically when you booted the system for the first time. The other steps should be taken as the user who has the problem, if different. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this paragraph doesn’t apply.

Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.

When you launch Terminal, a text window will open with a line already in it, ending either in a dollar sign (“$”) or a percent sign (“%”). If you get the percent sign, enter “sh” and press return. You should then get a new line ending in a dollar sign.

Step 1

Triple-click anywhere in the line of text below on this page to select it:

kextstat -kl | awk '!/com\.apple/{printf "%s %s\n", $6, $7}' | open -ef

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Then click anywhere in the Terminal window and paste (command-V). A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. If the command produced no output, the window will be empty. Post the contents of the TextEdit window (not the Terminal window), if any — the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then close the TextEdit window. The title of the window doesn't matter, and you don't need to post that. No typing is involved in this step.

Step 2

Repeat with this line:

{ sudo launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.(apple|openssh|vix\.cron)|org\.(amav|apac|cups|isc|ntp|postf|x)/{print $3}'; echo; sudo defaults read com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook; echo; sudo crontab -l; } 2> /dev/null | open -ef

This time you'll be prompted for your login password, which you do have to type. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. Type it carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. Heed that warning, but don't post it. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.

Note: If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before taking this step. If that’s not possible, skip to the next step.

Step 3

{ launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple|org\.(x|openbsd)/{print $3}'; echo; crontab -l 2> /dev/null; } | open -ef

Step 4

ls -A /e*/{cr,la,mach}* {,/}Lib*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo,Sta}* L*/Fonts .la* 2> /dev/null | open -ef

Important: If you formerly synchronized with a MobileMe account, your me.com email address may appear in the output of the above command. If so, anonymize it before posting.

Step 5

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get name of login items' | open -ef

Remember, steps 1-5 are all copy-and-paste — no typing, except your password. Also remember to post the output.

You can then quit Terminal.

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Answer 11

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Sep 29, 2013 10:19 PM in response to MessMan64

MessMan64 wrote:

-Safari and Safari Web Content are together taking up 700MB Real Memory. I have no previous statistic to compare this to, but it seems high.

Just a quick comment that this isn't high at all. I would guess I have more RAM installed than you, but right now those two processes are running in about 7 GB or an order of magnitude more than yours.

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Answer 12

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2013 6:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

Reply to Linc:

Here is the output.

Step 1:

com.AmbrosiaSW.AudioSupport (4.0.0)

Step 2:

org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx

com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool

com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

com.machangout.glims.loader

com.google.keystone.daemon

com.enterasys.NacAgent

com.cloudpath.maccmd

com.adobe.fpsaud

com.adobe.ARM.SMJobBlessHelper

Step 3

com.qbix.CalendarStart

org.macosforge.xquartz.startx

com.oracle.java.Java-Updater

com.machangout.glims.agent

com.hp.devicemonitor

com.google.keystone.system.agent

com.wondershare.mobilegodaemon

com.leadertech.PowerRegister.EPS2.fa8d34509cfddcea6fdfd2f145193825

com.adobe.ARM.202f4087f2bbde52e3ac2df389f53a4f123223c9cc56a8fd83a6f7ae

Step 4

/Library/Components:

/Library/Extensions:

/Library/Frameworks:

AEProfiling.framework@

AERegistration.framework@

ArcCon.framework/

ArcSocketLib.framework/

AudioMixEngine.framework@

BaseFunction.framework/

Cocoa2Carbon.framework/

GlimsAdditions.framework/

MagAppFramework.framework/

MagCore.framework/

MagImgTlsCtrl.framework/

MagPCMac.framework/

Maglib5.framework/

MediaClub.framework/

Mono.framework/

NyxAudioAnalysis.framework/

PluginManager.framework/

TIAppKit.framework/

TIConnectManagerXInteraction.framework/

TIDataConversionBase.framework/

TIPluginLocator.framework/

TaskDLL.framework/

iLifeFaceRecognition.framework/

iLifeKit.framework/

iLifePageLayout.framework/

iLifeSQLAccess.framework/

iLifeSlideshow.framework/

iTunesLibrary.framework/

/Library/Input Methods:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins:

AdobeAAMDetect.plugin/

AdobePDFViewer.plugin/

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin/

Flash Player.plugin/

GlimsAdditions.webplugin/

JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/

Quartz Composer.webplugin/

QuickTime Plugin.plugin/

SharePointBrowserPlugin.plugin/

SharePointWebKitPlugin.webplugin/

Silverlight.plugin/

flashplayer.xpt

googletalkbrowserplugin.plugin/

iPhotoPhotocast.plugin/

npgtpo3dautoplugin.plugin/

nsIQTScriptablePlugin.xpt

o1dbrowserplugin.plugin/

/Library/Keyboard Layouts:

/Library/LaunchAgents:

com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist

com.google.keystone.agent.plist

com.hp.devicemonitor.plist*

com.machangout.glims.agent.plist

com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist@

org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist

/Library/LaunchDaemons:

com.adobe.ARM.SMJobBlessHelper.plist

com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

com.cloudpath.maccmd.plist

com.enterasys.NacAgent.plist

com.google.keystone.daemon.plist

com.machangout.glims.loader.plist

com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist

com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist@

org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist

/Library/PreferencePanes:

Flash Player.prefPane/

JavaControlPanel.prefPane@

MacFUSE.prefPane/

NTFS-3G.prefPane/

/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools:

com.adobe.ARM.SMJobBlessHelper*

com.cloudpath.maccmd*

com.enterasys.NacAgent*

com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper*

/Library/QuickLook:

EPSQLPlugIn.qlgenerator/

iBooksAuthor.qlgenerator/

iWork.qlgenerator/

/Library/QuickTime:

AppleIntermediateCodec.component/

AppleMPEG2Codec.component/

/Library/ScriptingAdditions:

Adobe Unit Types.osax/

Glims.osax/

/Library/Services:

TI Connect Manager X.app/

/Library/Spotlight:

Microsoft Office.mdimporter/

iBooksAuthor.mdimporter/

iWork.mdimporter/

/Library/StartupItems:

/etc/mach_init.d:

/etc/mach_init_per_login_session.d:

/etc/mach_init_per_user.d:

Step 5:

iSyncr, iTunesHelper, Caffeine, AdobeResourceSynchronizer, Dropbox, Jawbone Updater, Android File Transfer Agent, Music Manager, TimehopSync, Popup, ConnectService, NacAgent

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Answer 13

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2013 6:47 AM in response to MadMacs0

Reply to MadMacs0:

Thank you for the information. Nice to think Safari still has my back (for now).

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Answer 14

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 30, 2013 7:23 AM in response to MessMan64

It looks like some output is missing from Step 4, but based on what you've provided, this is what I suggest.

Please read this whole message carefully, especially the warnings, before doing anything.

1. I can only guess which of the modifications you've made to your system is causing the problem. The changes suggested here should be considered provisional; they may not help, or they may remove functionality that you find useful. If a third-party system modification that you want to keep is at fault, refer to its developer for support.

2. WARNING: Back up all data now if you haven’t already done so. Before proceeding, you must be sure you can restore your system to its present state, even if it becomes unbootable. If you’re not sure you can do that, STOP — DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING.

If you don't like the results of the procedure suggested below, restore from your backup.

I will not be responsible for the consequences, and I will not be able to help, if you ignore this warning.

3. You should either remove or update the following system modification(s), if an update is available from the developer:

N/A

and definitely remove at least the following:

† Glims

4. Whatever you remove must be removed completely, and (unless otherwise specified in this message) the only way to do that is to use the uninstallation tool, if any, provided by the third-party developers, or to follow their instructions. If the software has been incompletely removed, you may have to re-download or even reinstall it in order to finish the job. I can't be more specific, because I don't install such things myself. Please do your own research.

You will generally have to reboot after uninstalling a system modification. Until you do that, the uninstallation may have no effect, or unpredictable effects.

Here are some general guidelines to get you started. Suppose you want to remove something called “BrickYourMac.” First, consult the product's Help menu, if there is one, for instructions. Finding none there, look on the developer's website, say www.brickyourmac.com. (That may not be the actual name of the site; if necessary, search the web for the product name.) If you don’t find anything on the website or in your search, contact the developer. While you're waiting for a response, download BrickYourMac.dmg and open it. There may be an application in there such as “Uninstall BrickYourMac.” If not, open “BrickYourMac.pkg” and look for an Uninstall button.

Again, please don't ask me to do this research for you. You can do it better than I can, because I haven't installed the product and I may not even know what it is.

If you can’t remove software in any other way, you’ll have to erase and install OS X. Never install any third-party software unless you're sure you know how to uninstall it; otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.

WARNING: Trying to remove complex system modifications by hunting for files by name often will not work and may make the problem worse. The same goes for "utilities" that purport to remove software.

5. I recommend that you never reinstall the modifications marked with a dagger (†) above, if any. If your problem is resolved after uninstalling all the above modifications and rebooting, but you still want to use some of those not marked with a dagger, you can experiment with putting them back, one at a time, testing carefully after each step. Keep in mind that system modifications may be incompatible with each other or with future OS X updates, so it may not be clear which one is at fault.

6. If you still have problems after making the suggested changes and rebooting, post again. Remember: if you don’t like the results of this procedure, you can undo it by restoring from the last backup you made before you started.

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Answer 15

MessMan64 Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2013 7:45 AM in response to Linc Davis

Reply to Linc Davis:

As of right now, after following these instructions and uninstalling Glims, my Mac is running well with none of the previously described issues. However, I'd like to make sure I won't have this issue in a few hours, so I will check back in later today. You may have very well found the solution, and I'm extremely optimistic and grateful! 🙂

In detail, I Googled "uninstall glims mac", downloaded the uninstaller, uninstalled, and rebooted. To test, I opened and closed multiple applications that were giving me trouble before. Unfortunately I can't confirm 100% that my problems are over at the moment.

Do you mind giving a brief explanation of what you think went wrong, for others and myself to understand?

If not, please post again anyway so that I may give you the points for Solving!

(ALSO: There seems to be no output missing from Step 4; I ran it again. No output missing between my copy/paste action, anyway.)

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