Mac slow after installing Maverick

I have a mid 2012 macbook pro, i5, with 4 gb of ram. After updating to mavericks from mountian lion, my computer became sluggish when opening multiple applications. If you are experiencing a similar problem, I advise you to follow these steps, as it worked for me:

Finder/Go/Computer/MacHd/Library

-Caches

-LaunchAgents

-LaunchDaemons

-Input Methods

-Startup Items

Finder/Go/Option/Library

-Caches

-Cookies

-Launch Agents

System Preferences/Users and Groups/Login Items - remove anything EXCEPT iTunes Helper

-Shut down - start up holding Command R - Use Disk Utility and select MacHd and Verify Disk

Restart and empty trash

Delete all the files in the following folders

Finder/Go/Computer/MacHd/Library

-Caches

-LaunchAgents

-LaunchDaemons

-Input Methods

-Startup Items

Finder/Go/Option/Library

-Caches

-Cookies

-Launch Agents

System Preferences/Users and Groups/Login Items - remove anything EXCEPT iTunes Helper

-Shut down - start up holding Command R - Use Disk Utility and select MacHd and Verify Disk

Restart and empty trash

MoeSi wrote:

Delete all the files in the following folders

Finder/Go/Computer/MacHd/Library

-LaunchAgents

-LaunchDaemons

-Startup Items

Finder/Go/Option/Library

-Launch Agents

…

System Preferences/Users and Groups/Login Items - remove anything EXCEPT iTunes Helper

Well that is a start, however all you have done is remove the launchd jobs that were loading older software.

The software itself will still be on your system. This is why you need to use EtreCheck (before removing the jobs) and then follow the manufacturers instructions for removing the entire software.

All that will happen now is the next time you launch an app that had a background job it will try to reinstall it (system jobs will require a password). You could end up with the same apps affecting performance all over again.

All the login items will still be installed too, if they had libraries of code or plugins they will still be installed…

You also haven't looked at kernel extensions which means you may still have 3rd party items loading into the system too.

I wouldn't recommend this approach, it's hack & slash instead of actual removal, it may cause more issues down the line.

If you made a backup of the items you deleted, go through it & work out what software installed it so you can remove it fully.

This will fix SBOD and slow performance on your Mac

Repair Permissions

First, perform a repair permissions to make sure the application, and any associated files it needs, have the correct permissions required to run. File permissions can get wacky once in a while; repairing permissions is a good general-purpose troubleshooting catch-all.

Clear the dyld Cache

Second thing I do is clear the dynamic link editor (dyld) cache. The dynamic link editor keeps a cache of recently used library entry points. It's this cache of data that, should it become corrupt, can cause the SBOD and slow down your Mac.

Launch Terminal, located at /Applications/Utilities/.

At the Terminal prompt, enter the following command (Copy and Paste):

sudo update_dyld_shared_cache -force

Press enter or return.

You will be asked for an administrator account password.

Once the password is accepted, Terminal may display some warning messages about mismatches in the dlyd cache. Don't worry; these are warnings about the content that is being cleared out and then updated by the command.

Clearing the dyld cache can take a few moments. Once it's complete, the normal Terminal prompt will return.

I'm also in the same boat as everyone else. Upgraded to Mavericks a few days ago and, whenever I unplug my MacBook Pro 13" (Early 2011 - 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 - 16GB RAM 1333MHz) and run just on the battery, my system CPU usage goes through the roof which results in my Mac running/responding very slowly and buggy.

However, looking at the iStat widget on my dashboard, it's reporting that my CPU isn't running hot nor does my MacBook Pro feel hot at all. It's also showing that I still have 10GB of RAM free.

As expected, once my magsafe is reattached to my laptop and plugged back in, the system CPU returns to a normal level. In Activity Monitor, it shows kernel_task as being the culprit.

I queried the log as suggested by Linc and TextEdit had something for me:

Dec 10 15:51:31 My-MBP kernel[0] <Debug>: Process Setup Assistant [307] disabling system-wide I/O Throttling

Anyone have any idea what this could be? Seems like it should be a simple software config but I just don't know.

Additionally, I also ran EtreCheck and here are the results--I've already fixed and/or removed the red items as well as all Kernel Extensions:

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

16 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB

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

Startup Items:

VirtualBox: Path: /Library/StartupItems/VirtualBox

System Software:

OS X 10.9 (13A603) - Uptime: 1 day 11:26:41

Disk Information:

M4-CT128M4SSD2 disk0 : (128.04 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

SSD Macbook Pro (disk0s2) /: 127.18 GB (63.07 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898

USB Information:

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Kernel Extensions:

org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.1.2)

org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.1.2)

com.squirrels.driver.AirParrotSpeakers (1.7 - SDK 10.7)

com.squirrels.airparrot.framebuffer (3 - SDK 10.7)

com.manycamllc.driver.ManyCamDriver (0.0.9 - SDK 10.5)

com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.2)

Problem System Launch Daemons:

Problem System Launch Agents:

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist

[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist

[loaded] com.bombich.ccc.plist

[loaded] com.github.GitHub.GHInstallCLI.plist

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

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

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

[loaded] com.squirrels.kextinstaller.plist

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist

Launch Agents:

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

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist

[failed] com.extensis.FMCore.plist

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

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist

[loaded] com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

[loaded] com.wacom.pentablet.plist

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist

User Launch Agents:

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

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[redacted]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

[loaded] com.codecm.uploader.plist

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

[loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist

[failed] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist

[loaded] de.municode.Ephemera.plist

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist

User Login Items:

ShiftIt

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Air Display Preferences

PenTablet

DivX

Flash Player

Flip4Mac WMV

Growl

Java

Logitech Control Center

Perian

Internet Plug-ins::

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.0

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.8

Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.8

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010

AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6

AdobeAAMDetect: Version: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6

WidevineMediaTransformer: Version: (null)

npgtpo3dautoplugin: Version: 0.1.44.29 - SDK 10.5

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.2.4

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0

WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.0.0.4

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 11 Outdated! Update

WacomNetscape: Version: 1.1.1-1

User Internet Plug-ins::

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5

SlingPlayer: Version: (null)

Bad Fonts:

None

Old applications:

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center: Version: 11.24.32.0 - SDK 10.5

/Users/myUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/WebEx Folder/1224/Meeting Center.app

Edge: Version: 0.10.0 - SDK 10.5

/Applications/Adobe Edge Preview/Edge.app

FacebookVideoCalling: Version: 1.2.0.157 - SDK 10.5

/Users/myUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/Facebook/video/1.2.0.158/FacebookVideoCalling.app

Microsoft AutoUpdate: Version: 2.3.3 - SDK 10.4

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

SLLauncher: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5

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

Transmit: Version: 4.2 - SDK 10.5

/Applications/Transmit.app

VLC: Version: 2.0.1 - SDK 10.5

/Applications/VLC.app

WhatSize: Version: 5.2.1 - SDK 10.5

/Applications/WhatSize.app

asannotation2: Version: 8.25.31.0 - SDK 10.5

/Users/myUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/WebEx Folder/1224/asannotation2.app

atmsupload: Version: 4.14.29.0 - SDK 10.5

/Users/myUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/WebEx Folder/1224/atmsupload.app

convertpdf: Version: 1.2 - SDK 10.5

/Users/myUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/WebEx Folder/1224/convertpdf.app

dynamiclinkmanager: Version: 6.0.0 - SDK 10.5

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

dynamiclinkmediaserver: Version: 6.0.1 - SDK 10.5

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

Time Machine:

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

4% WindowServer

2% EtreCheck

1% ps

1% powermetrics

0% opendirectoryd

Top Processes by Memory:

213 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

180 MB mds_stores

147 MB softwareupdated

147 MB Finder

82 MB WindowServer

Virtual Memory Statistics:

10.71 GB Free RAM

2.09 GB Active RAM

1.35 GB Inactive RAM

1.85 GB Wired RAM

4.07 GB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Any ideas, thoughts or help would be greatly apprecaited!

I also had the same problem with my imac. I tried everything that is mentioned here and offcourse nothing help.

So I figured out:

You should do clean install of Mavericks. BUT, when erasing disk, do SAFE ERASE 1 pass.

When you do normal erase of hard drive, it doesnt erase all data. But when you do safe erase, it erases whole disk, and writes "0" on the top of it. It takes about an hour for 500 GB disk.

That helped me, and I hope it will help others too.

Back up your data before this!!

You don't need to write over the data, a normal erase will remove the 'catalog' that locates files.

Whilst the files will still be on disk, they won't exist in the catalog, so they won't be used within a migration.

A recovery tool could find the files on disk, but the OS doesn't do this so an overwrite is only necessary if you need to securely remove the files.

A simple erase or repartioning is suffice.

I'd take a look at these…

Reset the PRAM

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Reset the SMC

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

I would also reset the Energy saver to the default value in System Preferences (there is a reset button).

I don't know what Linc was trying to ascertain & have no idea what is going on with your battery based CPU usage. However I will point out the items that are loading into the OS. You should probably create you own thread since this is probably not related to this topic

I have removed the items you said you 'fixed or removed', ideally when you say 'removed' you meant you followed the developers instructions to remove the software, otherwise you just leave junk behind that can cause issues down the line…

Virtualbox & Soundflower are both out of date & are loading into the kernel (the core of the OS).

Are all the launchd jobs running up to date software? The same applies to the pref panes & internet plugins.

Safe mode will disable most of the third party code, so use that as a guide to see if the OS works OK (without this software active).

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

Be aware that some features will be disabled like wifi on some models, graphics drivers will be in a reduced mode - this is normal in safe mode. Reboot to go back to normal.

I'll add the usual etrecheck explanation below, it may help with any cleanup you do, however I am simply guessing that this may be causing your issue.

DJWebDUck wrote:

Kernel Extensions:

org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.1.2)

org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.1.2)

com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.2)

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist

[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist

[loaded] com.bombich.ccc.plist

[loaded] com.github.GitHub.GHInstallCLI.plist

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

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

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

[loaded] com.squirrels.kextinstaller.plist

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist

Launch Agents:

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

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist

[failed] com.extensis.FMCore.plist

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

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist

[loaded] com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

[loaded] com.wacom.pentablet.plist

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist

User Launch Agents:

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

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[redacted]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

[loaded] com.codecm.uploader.plist

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

[loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist

[failed] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist

[loaded] de.municode.Ephemera.plist

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist

User Login Items:

ShiftIt

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Air Display Preferences

PenTablet

DivX

Flash Player

Flip4Mac WMV

Growl

Java

Logitech Control Center

Perian

Internet Plug-ins::

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.0

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.8

Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.8

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010

AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6

AdobeAAMDetect: Version: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6

WidevineMediaTransformer: Version: (null)

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.2.4

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 4.9.1.16010

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0

WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.0.0.4

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 11 Outdated! Update

WacomNetscape: Version: 1.1.1-1

User Internet Plug-ins::

SlingPlayer: Version: (null)

Cleanup:

All the usual caveats apply, backup before you modify the system, delete the items (or move them to another disk or folder if you are worried about deleting the wrong thing) but ensure the originals are gone or updated.

Use the Finders "Go menu > Go to Folder…" when you need to open the hidden ~/Library (your users library).

Reboot for the system changes to take effect.

How to find updates:

The critical launchd jobs & kernel extensions use reverse domain notation e.g.

com.logmein.hamachi.plist means look at http://logmein.com for updates (if you don't recognize it removing it may be appropriate)

In short: You want to try to update or remove all the system level items.

Startup Items: Stored in /Library/StartupItems/

Startup Items have been discontinued by Apple since Mac OS 10.4. They are responsible for making changes at a system level. Remove them all or spend time ensuring ALL related software is up to date. You need a very good reason to have anything installed in here. The developers are ignoring Apple guidelines by installing these - not a good sign.

Kernel Extensions: Stored in /Library/Extensions/

Kernel Extensions also load third party code, but they insert it into the 'core' of the OS. These can be safe, however you must ensure the related tools or apps are up to date, otherwise the system is basically built upon quicksand. Remove them all & see if the OS works better.

Launchd jobs: several types

LaunchAgents - Stored in /Library/LaunchAgents

LaunchDaemons - Stored in /Library/LaunchDaemons

User LaunchAgents - Stored in ~/Library/LaunchAgents

These are all background jobs, they are not necessarily bad, but if they are loading old code it could be doing untold damage to the performance & stability of the entire OS. Focus on the System level jobs (the ones inside /Library - the system level) also remove ['failed'], non-system jobs.

EtreCheck gives a status on launchd jobs…

[loaded] - a running job

[not loaded] - jobs that are set not to run, basically harmless, remove them unless you plan to use the associated software (if it is up to date)

[failed] - jobs in a crashed or unknown state, it could be forking processes or using all the system resources, remove these.

User login items:

Applications and helpers that are managed inside 'Systems Preferences > Users and groups > Login Items tab'.

These are loaded at the 'User level', consider removing all of them whilst you troubleshoot. When you decide to re-add them ensure the software is up to date.

3rd Party Preference Panes: & Internet Plug-ins:

/Library/PreferencePanes/ and ~/Library/PreferencePanes/

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ and ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/

Once again these items all must be up to date, or remove them from your system. If the prefpanes manage additional software use the uninstaller or see the developers site for uninstall instructions. You can also right click to remove 3rd party preference panes in System preferences

Read the list of Internet plug-ins carefully, there are often duplicate Flash player versions that won't help stability, it's just wasted space too.

Don't forget to also update Safari's extensions in it's preferences (if you have any).

Re-run EtreCheck after cleaning up to see if items have returned (some apps will reload the background jobs when re-opened, so either update or remove the software).

It's up to you if you want to try cleanup, It should help to get rid of items you don't use, but I don't know what the battery is doing to performance.

Hey guys, if you havent solved the problem yet I have a quick solution. I read it on another discussions.apple page. I have a MacBook Pro 13", I bought it new on May and my mac's been very slow but I am not sure if it started right after I installed Mavericks. Well, the trick is:

1. Turn it off

2. Plug it to the AC Power

3. Press Control+Option+LeftShift+PowerButton for 10 seconds [your mac should not turn on]

4. When you release the buttons, the red light of the power adapter will turn to green for a second.

5. Now you can turn on your computer

PS: at the beggining it may take long for it to turn on, but then you'll see it will return to its usual speed. Al least it worked for me 🙂

There are lots of solutions presented here, all seem to have different approaches.

Basically, what they are all saying is that Apple, in its headlong rush to give us a "different" operating system, stuffed up and didnt test it thoroughly enough!

QUESTION TO APPLE - when are you going to publish a fix for your hashup? (They have done it with IOS7 as well, apps quit randomly an my Ipad Air does quirky things like shuudering and jumping images, may as well watch a TV with bad reception at times.)

You will need to contact Apple. These are user to user forums. You are not talking to Apple here. One of the biggest hurdles to helping people troubleshoot their issues, as only a few of the many millions of Mavericks users are having problems, is that people post in other users threads and their issues are caused by different conflicts than the original poster and it becomes a complicated and inaccurate thread which is why people are encouraged to start their own thread giving full details of their own specific problems. Many are finding the case to be incomparable or outdated software, while others have had hardware issues.

Cheers

Pete

Thanks Pete, I understand that, I have been using (and once selling Apples) probably since before you were born.

Problem is that Apple are getting to be like Microsoft, too sure of themselves and believing they dont need to listen to the user and know better than the user does. A sure fire recipe for disaster (Windows 8).

They troll these forums and should eventually realise their new O/s has caused more problems for users than any previous O/s. Even way back in the times of the Apple 11 and 2GS, they didnt cause this much greif.

What do you "expect" Apple to actually do?

They cannot possibly test an OS upgrade with every single Intel Mac model with every combination of installed software and peripheral devices in current existence.

That is totally unrealistic thinking.

Apple seeds software and hardware developers with advanced copies of their new OS.

It's these developers that are responsible to make their software and hardware devices compatible with Apple's latest and greatest operating system. Not Apple's

Apple isn't responsible for what users install on their systems for software or "crapware" that may cause incompatibility issues.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks works just great for me on my Late 2009, 27 inch iMac.

Been using Macs for almost 20 years.

😉

I didn't know Macs were around in the 50's. And if you could just pop in evidence to Apple trolling these forums it would be helpful.

Thanks

Pete