Q: Mac slow after installing Maverick

After Step 1 Text Edit gave me this message: kernel[0] <Debug>: disk2: I/O error.

That looks like a hardware error - the disk could be failing & your data is at risk, back it up immediately.

This explains some background about the how the disk works…

https://discussions.apple.com/message/23623259#23623259

'disk2' may not be yor system disk, you will need to compare info in Disk Utility - select each disk & use the 'info' icon in the toolbar. The one showing as 'Disk Identifier :           disk2' needs backing up & testing/ repairing.

First: thanks for the advice Drew Reece. I verified the disk2 and the volume "appears to be OK".

I found this page online suggesting the kernel_task which is using about 480 MB of RAM (seen in Activity Monitor) is a normal task that's used for wifi, bluetooth, and external drives like my AppleTV.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20091848-263/kernel-task-taking-up-ram-in-o s-x/

I notice while typing this that Activity Monitor shows:

     Physical Memory 4.00 GB

     Memory Used 3.23 GB

     Virtual Memory 4.00 GB

Safari and Activity Monitor are the only applications currently running. I wonder if this kernel_task is new since the upgrade to Mavericks. It is currrently my largest memory user.

1. Could this new RAM user have caused so many of us our new found RAM shortfall?

2. Do you think RAM could be my issue?

just to share ;

i have 2 units iMac + 1 MBP 13"

A) 27" i5, 12GB Ram, 1TB WD 7200rpm HDD  since i upgrade to Maverick i also get slow and laging ...

B) 27" i5 12GB Ram, 128SSD (samsung 830) + 1TB WD 7200rpm HDD. it runing Maverick smooth.

C) 13" MBP C2D 4GB Ram , 128SSD  (Corsair Force Series GS ) , it  running  Maverick smooth too.

so i think Maverick is smooth in SSD HDD instead of Normal 7200rpm HDD

thanks

Darren F wrote:

 

1. Could this new RAM user have caused so many of us our new found RAM shortfall?

The article you cite is from 2011 therefore 'kernel task' isn't a new process (it's not a user). It has always existed on OS X.

If you look at kernel task in Activity Monitor it has a 'PID' of 0. PID = process ID e.g. This is the first thing that runs after booting starts OS X.

You have taken Cnet the article too literally, kernel task oversees EVERYTHING, not just wifi, bluetooth & external disks. It also sits between the software talking to hardware, that includes RAM, internal disks and everything else.

Most of the info on Cnet isn't related to your 'disk IO error' at all.

If you search on here for your disk error message (but with the disk ID removed - it's specific to your setup) you will see lots of advice that suggests backing up the data. Running one of Linc's commands should not cause these messages…

kernel[0] <Debug>: disk: I/O error

You ran one of Linc's tests & got this dreaded error and this error points towards a hardware error, does that still happen when you run the command again?

Apple's Disk Utility doesn't test or repair everything and it cannot fix a physical hardware fault, your disk may still be dying.

Darren F wrote:

 

2. Do you think RAM could be my issue?

I have no idea, you have only given us a disk error message, failing disks can cause all sorts of weird behavior. The tiny amount of RAM info doesn't look abnormal either.

You have told us nothing about what issues & behavoir you are seeing. I can only assume it is related to the disk error.

I'd still consider this disk as problematic before any other troubleshooting. Look at it's 'SMART' status - sometimes it can indicate approching issues (but not always).

Smartreporter (not free) and some alternatives… http://alternativeto.net/software/smartreporter/?platform=mac

Or the command line (free) smartmontools http://sourceforge.net/projects/smartmontools/

Other tools may be able to test the disk, such as the built in Apple hardware test.

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

Whatever you decide to do ensure you backup first, that error says the disk didn't work as the kernel expected.

I'd also suggest you keep track of the error messages & start a new thread, so that people can give advice based on what is actually happening, yours doesn't look like a RAM issue yet, just cite the command that caused the issue to appear, it may be relevant.

Jan 20 01:13:08 ***********-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: Process Setup Assistant [224] disabling system-wide I/O Throttling

hello helpful people! Can anyone diagnose whats up with my Mac from this? Updated recently from ML to Mavericks on a late 2010 Macbook pro...

Thanks so much!

This worked for me, when I contacted apple support

SMC reset

Here are the steps:

1.     Shut down the computer.

2.     Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.

3.     On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.

4.     Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.

5.     Press the power button to turn on the computer. 

Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

Brought my 2011 MacBook Pro back to life! I am enjoying using it again! Almost threw it out the window.

Hi, I'd to admit that I'd seen the same effect of a slow mac after the installation of maverick 10.9.0. I installed maverick on my Mac Pro (2008 edition), my macbook and my iMac 27'' - always the same effect that my macs run slower than before the installation. I searched the net for a solution for the last couple of months without any success.

Finally I choose to reinstall maverick 10.9.1 - and the problems on all mac were gone - magic

This might apply to people having problems...I think I found my issue.  After trying all sorts of things.  My desktop icons kept disappearing.  Overall horrible slow.  PDF spinning wheels.  It was clearly something to do with the file system.  Mind you I had NO problems before going to Mavericks.

The problem.  MacFUSE.  I was using parallels but didnt need it anymore.  This had been uninstalled, but MacFuse was still installed under System Preferences.  I uninstalled, and rebooted and everything is back to normal.  Speed etc...

Might want to check if you are having problems.

Hi,

I have run the terminal and this is what I have got.

Feb  6 01:10:38 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 12388

Feb  6 12:14:24 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 332

Feb  6 12:14:26 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 331

Feb  7 00:02:22 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 7001

Feb  8 19:01:14 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: Previous Shutdown Cause: -60

Feb 11 06:47:42 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-update: did not find token 379

Feb 11 06:47:42 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 379

Feb 11 06:49:20 Yanas-MacBook-Pro kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 633

Could you help me with interpreting this? Thank you!

I'm having diabolical troubles with the Spinning wheel  BUT I note someone has installed Macfuse on my iMac. Here comes the delete button. stay tuned. Issues occurring long after Mavericks install.

Drew Reece wrote:

 

For everyone complaining about 10.9 using all the RAM, take a look at this…

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9/17/#compressed-memory

 

The memory management system changed so much in 10.9 that looking for free memory is a bad idea.

Free RAM is a wasted resource. If the OS can be predicative and store the files you use the most in RAM it will make the OS behave quicker.

 

For example you may open this website a few times a day, closing the Safari windows between sessions (or even quitting it). Holding the same images & css files in RAM is better than hitting Safari's disk cache. If you use memory cleaners you simply force the OS to hit the disk again or get it from the network.

The same is true for every app you use throughout the day.

 

The memory based 'file cache' is purged as more memory is needed, so it won't stop other tasks using it when they require it.

  

The one factor you should look for is 'swap used' (in Activity Monitor), if that figure grows beyond a few MB it may indicate you need more RAM (or do less tasks).

 

I don't deny you are all having issues, however take a look at the third party software via an EtreCheck report. Especially if you haven't clean installed the 10.9 or have accumulated years of installed & semi removed/ updated software. Migration Assistant brings over all the old apps, so they may still be running years old code inside the system.

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

 

Also Safe mode can help to isolate the system from 3rd party extensions, can you reproduce the issue in a safe boot?

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

 

Apple Hardware Test will also verify the installed RAM modules. See using Apple Hardware Test…

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

Hi Mr Reece,

So my problem begun with Mavericks.  I have no idea why my mid 2009 MBP has suddenly slowed to a crawl, all I know is it happened since installing Mavericks.  My MBP was flying as it was from new before this update.  I have been considering completely formatting the HDD, and starting again but with install discs to hand and so many varied opinions on the best way to go I am lost beyond belief.  It as taken me all morning to log into here as Apple say that my email address is being used with "A username" on the discussion forums but there is no way to find out what it is or recover it.  Very silly.  ended up using an old ID to get in, just to ask the questions.  The last thing I want to do is format the HDD and start again, as it is the mothership to and iphone and ipad and working out which apps I will need and which I don't selectively installing what I need and what I don't would be a nightmare, especially and I don't know if anything installed maybe the cause of the sluggish performance when run with Mavericks.  I do have 4GB or RAM which spends most of its time about 30-40% free, though after a lot of use without a restart gets to about 10% free which fits in with what you are saying.

I ran the http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck andf got the following;

Hardware Information:

          MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)

          MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,5

          1 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

          4 GB RAM

Video Information:

          NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB

System Software:

          OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 1 day 22:39:44

Disk Information:

          FUJITSU MJA2250BH FFS G1 disk0 : (250.06 GB)

                    EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

                    Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 249.2 GB (108.75 GB free)

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

          HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS23N 

USB Information:

          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

          Western Digital Ext HDD 1021 2 TB

                    EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

                    HDD2TB (disk1s2) /Volumes/HDD2TB: 2 TB (1.57 TB free)

          Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

          Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

          Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

          Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

                    Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Kernel Extensions:

          com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower          (1.5.1)

          com.paragon-software.filesystems.ntfs          (82)

Problem System Launch Agents:

          [System] com.paragon.NTFS.trial.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.paragon.NTFS.upd.plist 3rd-Party support link

Launch Daemons:

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

          [System] com.sierrawireless.SwitchTool.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Launch Agents:

          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Login Items:

          Clocks

          FaceTab Pro for Facebook

          GrowlTunes

          Yoink

          Dropbox

          SpeechSynthesisServer

Internet Plug-ins:

          LogMeInSafari64: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

          Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 3rd-Party support link

          OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 3rd-Party support link

          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.6 3rd-Party support link

          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

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

          Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

          AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.6 3rd-Party support link

          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.8.0 - SDK 10.9 Outdated! Update

Safari Extensions:

          Add To Amazon Wish List: Version: 1.4

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

iTunes Plug-ins:

          Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User Internet Plug-ins:

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

          fbplugin_1_0_1: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

          fbplugin_1_0_3: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

3rd Party Preference Panes:

          Connect360  3rd-Party support link

          Flash Player  3rd-Party support link

          Flip4Mac WMV  3rd-Party support link

          Growl  3rd-Party support link

          MacFUSE  3rd-Party support link

          Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X  3rd-Party support link

Old Applications:

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

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

          Epson Printer Utility 4:          Version: 9.14 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

                    /Library/Printers/EPSON/InkjetPrinter2/Utility/UT4/Epson Printer Utility 4.app

          /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

          /Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Plex

                    Plex Media Server:          Version: 0.9.3.4 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

                    Plex Plug-in Installer:          Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          HyperDesktop:          Version: 1.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

          GrowlTunes:          Version: 1.2.2 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          ClamXav:          Version: 2.3.4 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          WePrint Server:          Version: 2.705 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

          iCamSource:          Version: 2.4.1 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

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

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

Time Machine:

          Skip System Files: NO

          Mobile backups: OFF

          Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

          Volumes being backed up:

                    Macintosh HD: Disk size: 232.09 GB Disk used: 130.81 GB

          Destinations:

                    HDD2TB [Local] (Last used)

                    Total size: 0 B

                    Total number of backups: (null)

                    Size of backup disk: Too small

                              Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 130.81 GB X 3)

          Time Machine details may not be accurate.

          All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

               3%          WindowServer

               2%          mdworker

               2%          MenuTab Pro for Facebook

               1%          EtreCheck

               0%          mds_stores

Top Processes by Memory:

          176 MB          softwareupdated

          156 MB          com.apple.IconServicesAgent

          123 MB          MenuTab Pro for Facebook

          115 MB          Google Chrome

          70 MB          Dropbox

Virtual Memory Information:

          1.07 GB          Free RAM

          1.70 GB          Active RAM

          429 MB          Inactive RAM

          547 MB          Wired RAM

          1.52 GB          Page-ins

          13 MB          Page-outs

This hasn't really helped me any, but I was hoping someone with a greater level of knowledge about these things may be able to look over it and point out any glaring problems.  To format or not to format, that is the question!  As a side, I do have a 2TB external HDD for backing up purposes, so I could always take a disc image and save it to there as my backup?

Without wanting to sound lazy, I have done lot's of reading and still have no clue.  Hoping for a magic fix I suppose.

Thanks to anyone who can help me. 

Jon.

You would be wise to save a backup onto the 2TB. A disk image is OK - it's less flexible than a full bootable clone, but disk images are reliable & can be compressed to save space and can be restored in a few hours (size depending).

A quick guide…

Open Disk Utility. Select File > New image from Folder. Select the base of the Boot HD & select a location to save, choose compressed format, read only is fine. NB. Using the 'New from folder' allows the image to exclude the partition data, so you can restore to a smaller disk if necessary. Reinstall 10.9 first to generate the correct recovery partition & then overwrite the newly installed boot disk from the backup disk image using Disk Utility in the recovery partition (via the restore tab).

I don't have a specific fix from your report, but I can point out what other users have had issues with.

JonUK_LTD wrote:

 

Kernel Extensions:

          com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower          (1.5.1)

          com.paragon-software.filesystems.ntfs          (82)

 

Problem System Launch Agents:

          [System] com.paragon.NTFS.trial.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [System] com.paragon.NTFS.upd.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

Launch Daemons:

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

          [System] com.sierrawireless.SwitchTool.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Launch Agents:

          [not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist 3rd-Party support link

          [not loaded] uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Login Items:

         Clocks

          FaceTab Pro for Facebook

          GrowlTunes

          Yoink

          Dropbox

          SpeechSynthesisServer

 

Internet Plug-ins:

          LogMeInSafari64: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

          Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 3rd-Party support link

          OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 3rd-Party support link

          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.6 3rd-Party support link

          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

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

          Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

          LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.730 3rd-Party support link

          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

          AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.6 3rd-Party support link

          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.8.0 - SDK 10.9 Outdated! Update

 

Safari Extensions:

          Add To Amazon Wish List: Version: 1.4

 

User Internet Plug-ins:

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

          fbplugin_1_0_1: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

          fbplugin_1_0_3: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

 

3rd Party Preference Panes:

          Connect360  3rd-Party support link

          Flash Player  3rd-Party support link

          Flip4Mac WMV  3rd-Party support link

          Growl  3rd-Party support link

          MacFUSE  3rd-Party support link

          Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X  3rd-Party support link

 

Old Applications:

                    Plex Media Server:          Version: 0.9.3.4 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

                    Plex Plug-in Installer:          Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

          HyperDesktop:          Version: 1.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

     

Top Processes by CPU:

               3%          WindowServer

               2%          mdworker

               2%          MenuTab Pro for Facebook

               1%          EtreCheck

               0%          mds_stores

 

Top Processes by Memory:

          176 MB          softwareupdated

          156 MB          com.apple.IconServicesAgent

          123 MB          MenuTab Pro for Facebook

          115 MB          Google Chrome

          70 MB          Dropbox

Red is the items I'd look at these are mostly 'system level' - they can alter a lot in the OS. Check the developers website, update or remove the apps if the developer doesn't say it supports 10.9 or if you can live without them.

Soundflower is out of date & it is a 'kernel extension', the kernel is the core of the OS - you don't want any old code running here.

The installer has a removal tool too https://code.google.com/p/soundflower/ so update or remove it if you don't use it.

Update or remove Paragon's NTFS tool, it is running at a system level & it's background jobs seem to be in a 'problem state', it also has something running in the kernel.

Adobe has an updater running, try to ensure Adobe's apps are all up to date, just incase they have stopped checking. Repeat with Google's apps, just launch the apps & look in the 'App menu' or the Help menu for updates. These companies tend to reinstall the updaters if you try to delete them, so there it little you can do but keep the apps updated.

It's odd that all your User Launch Agents: are not loaded, these are background jobs that start on login (if they are in a loaded state). The same principle applies, update or remove the related apps if they are not needed.

CleanMyMac is a concern - there are lots of posts here claiming it can break the OS - it can help you to remove files that are installed by Apple which is not the best idea. I am unconvinced that running 'maintenance utilities' all the time is a good idea, however the app removal tool may be OK for cases where a developer doesn't have an uninstaller. 'Cleaner apps' use RAM & can spend time scanning files which can slow other tasks. Search here for varied opinions on CleanMyMac. I also use ClamXAV, ensure that is upto date & so check it's engine & rules are current.

The purple items are 'user level' items (run on login of your account).

There is a simple way to see if your issues are because of 'user level' items, create a new test user account & login as that user. If the Mac is stable you can assume it is something within your 'user items'.

Check that you need the Login Items running every time you login. They are listed in System Preferences> Users & groups > select your account… login items tab.

You appear to have 3 LogMeIn internet plugins installed - is Safari behaving OK or running slow? I would consider removing most plugins & then installing them as you need them. You can look inside /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ and ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ to remove them manually.

~/Library is your 'home library' Use the Finders Go Menu > Open Folder… and enter ~/Library to reveal it. Apple hid this Library folder.

I'd be tempted to remove the Java applet plugin - old Java is a real secuity risk & Safari has probably disabled this for you already.

There seems to be 2 Facebook plugins installed (probably inside your ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/). Remove the oldest one & look for the newest release. Update the Safari Extension if it needs it too.

The Preference Panes are installed in /Library/PreferencePanes/ and ~/Library/PreferencePanes/. Open System prefs & launch each third party pref pane (the bottom rows) & check for updates if possible. These also have an ability to modify the OS, so any errors could effect everything. You can usually right click (or ctrl+click) to remove them from the preferences (it removes them from the OS, but may leave any libraries or extra tools behind - see if the developer has removal instructions).

I see you have Plex installed, does this run very often? I find it can drag a Mac to a slow crawl when it is indexing. I suspect Connect360 may do similar things, but I don't really know for sure what it does .

MenuTab for Facebook seems to be doing something with RAM & CPU, update or remove if you don't need it.

That may all be daunting, but it should help. Start with the system level items, and then look at updating the other items. You may find things improve after a cleanup & a reboot.

FWIW, Apple managed to make my old Apple discussions login break too, claiming I need to fix multiple associated emails (some of which are complete-gibberish-that-isn't-my-address@mac.com & don't exist!).

I hope that helps, good luck.

Drew just wanted to chime in and say that was a great post.

Hehe, thank you ClassicII.