malibuboats91
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Help fixing a few problems with my Macbook

I have a Macbook aluminum and glass that is the late 2008 model. It has a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 ram and I'm running OSX 10.8.5. I have been having a lot of issues with it for about a year but haven't had time to figure it out. The symptoms are that it is very slow at times and I get the beach ball almost every time I click something. At times the mouse will not move with the trackpad and recently it will switch screens by itself. I can't have any apps open full screen because it will switch to other apps continually. Also, every time I go into my documents folder all the icons are placed randomly and do not stay in order by name like I have selected.

 

So far I have verified and repaired permissions in safe mode, verified the disc and did a hardware check. The the verify disc and hardware check came up fine, but the permissions always have a ton of itunes errors that it doesn't repair. I only use my computer for school as I'm a college student and occasionally download mixtapes from DatPiff. I also watch TV programs on stream-me.tv, which could possibly be a buggy site. If I remember correctly I did a fresh install of the OS when I put it on here.

 

As I stated earlier I am a college student and all these issues are making it difficult for me to complete my assignments. I have been holding off taking it in because I typically can figure out how to fix computers, but am at a loss with this. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

MacBook, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Oct 6, 2013 5:40 PM

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malibuboats91

Q: Help fixing a few problems with my Macbook

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Oct 6, 2013 6:40 PM in response to malibuboats91
    Level 10 (124,473 points)
    Apple Music
    Oct 6, 2013 6:40 PM in response to malibuboats91

    The symptoms are that it is very slow at times and I get the beach ball almost every time I click something.

     

    Not enough free space on the startup disk can slow your Mac down...

     

    Click your Apple menu  top left in your screen. From the drop down menu click About This Mac > More Info > Storage

     

    Make sure there's at least 15% free disk space.

     

    Anti virus software installed?

     

    MacKeeper?

  • by malibuboats91,

    malibuboats91 malibuboats91 Oct 6, 2013 6:48 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 6, 2013 6:48 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    I have about 48% free disc space so I'm good for that. I installed ClamXav awhile ago and it never comes up with anything. Is that good or would you recommend something else? I will also look into macKeeper. Thanks for the reply!

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Oct 6, 2013 7:21 PM in response to malibuboats91
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Oct 6, 2013 7:21 PM in response to malibuboats91

    malibuboats91 wrote:

     

    permissions always have a ton of itunes errors that it doesn't repair.

    Normal see Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore.

     

    Try some of Randy Singer's Macintosh OS X Beachballs! ideas.

    I installed ClamXav awhile ago and it never comes up with anything. Is that good or would you recommend something else?

    It's almost never a malware problem, so I wouldn't waste my time. Users of OS X 10.7.5 and above are currently protected against all known malware that could impact it or Apple apps. As long as you have paid attention to all warnings, used Apple applications to download files from trusted sites and e-mail, you shouldn't have any problems. Keep Java (not JavaScript) disabled in all browsers to be extra safe against future malware and don't enter your admin password or approve certificates unless you fully understand what is being asked for.

    I will also look into macKeeper.

    Probably not a good idea. Most users find they are slowed more by MacKeeper than most anything else and it's possible to do more harm than good with it unless you know what you are doing.  You will find all kinds of advise from previous users (and many others that never used it and don't really know what they are talking about) throughout the forum.

  • by malibuboats91,

    malibuboats91 malibuboats91 Oct 6, 2013 7:34 PM in response to MadMacs0
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 6, 2013 7:34 PM in response to MadMacs0

    I looked into the MacKeeper and it looked like it causes more harm than good. I'll look at those links you provided. Any idea on why it would be switching screens randomly? It's really annoying

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Oct 6, 2013 8:50 PM in response to malibuboats91
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Oct 6, 2013 8:50 PM in response to malibuboats91

    malibuboats91 wrote:

     

    I looked into the MacKeeper and it looked like it causes more harm than good.

    Good. I'm sure Carolyn wasn't recommending it, just one of the items that are often found responsible for slow-downs.

    Any idea on why it would be switching screens randomly?

    Sounds a lot like the swollen battery syndrome described by My mouse keeps moving around on its own, as if someone is remotely controlling my Mac!.

  • by malibuboats91,

    malibuboats91 malibuboats91 Oct 7, 2013 3:24 PM in response to MadMacs0
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 7, 2013 3:24 PM in response to MadMacs0

    Thanks for the help! I followed the one guide and downloaded Yasu, which seemed to speed up my computer. I'm still getting the beach ball when I'm in microsoft office apps though. As for the page switching it seems to have quit. Could there have been a bug in one of the cashes? I also checked my battery and it says that it's in normal condition.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Oct 7, 2013 4:46 PM in response to malibuboats91
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Oct 7, 2013 4:46 PM in response to malibuboats91

    malibuboats91 wrote:

     

    I also checked my battery and it says that it's in normal condition.

    You have to take it out and physically examine it. Swollen batteries still show as normal in software. The symptoms may not appear when the battery has been resting and is not warm from charging, but may reappear later in the day during moderate to heavy use.