What is the cause of the Spinning Wheel of Death (SWOD) and how can we fix it?
I get the SWOD using Safari, Mail, Google chrome, Firefox, Mathematica, and other programs. This cannot be a browser plug-in issues as other forums suggest. I suspect a windows process at the root but I don't enough to know how to trace. Does anyone know what's causeing this epidemic?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
The SWOD occurs when an application has been unresponsive to system events for a number of seconds.
Potential causes are myriad. Sometimes it's a badly behaved (often 3rd party) driver locking up some critical I/O. Sometimes it's running out of memory. Sometimes it's hard drive corruption. Sometimes it's badly written software tying up system resources in one way or another. The list goes on.
Activity Monitor may be able to shed some light on what is happening. You could look for unusually high CPU, disk, or memory swapping activity. You could also get info on specific stalled applications to see what they are up to. Are they using a lot of CPU? Are they thrashing memory? If you hit Sample, you may get some hint about where the application is stuck from the function call stack.
The system log may also shed some light on persistent problems. You can view it through the Console utility.
avast is not good?
The University where I take classes requires some sort of anti-virus for computers to access their network. Is there another free one which is good? AVG?
No, Avast is not good.
Your university has adopted a typical Windows-centic, closed mindset. Do they allow iPads to access their network? No?
If they require that you run anti-virus software, I suggest that you obtain a Windows PC to run it on. I understand Avast runs great on PCs.
Nashvillian wrote:
avast is not good?
No. Avast has a serious problem with false positives, sporadically identifying a particular system file as malicious since 2009, among other things. This is bad, but worse, the avast! Online Security browser extension includes an "adware" function that is turned on by default and is not mentioned anywhere in the install process. Avast is garbage, and should not be used.
The University where I take classes requires some sort of anti-virus for computers to access their network. Is there another free one which is good? AVG?
AVG would not be a good choice either.
I'd point out that your system already includes basic anti-virus protection, and that university has no way of knowing whether you're actually using a third-party anti-virus program. You really should not feel pressured to use one. However, if you really think you need to, the best choice right now would be ClamXav.
Nashvillian wrote:
avast is not good?
The University where I take classes requires some sort of anti-virus for computers to access their network. Is there another free one which is good? AVG?
Um, you already have an anti-virus and anti-malware package installed. XProtect and Gatekeeper. These provided by Apple, and part of all recent OS X releases. Not perfect certainly and not without issues, but then neither are the commercial anti-virus packages, or so a VP from Symantec has been quoted.
Using two separate anti-virus implementations — one that's been integrated by and maintained by the operating system vendor, and a second one that's an add-on with a long history of causing problems — is seldom a recipe for success, for that matter.
As for the usual means of avoiding problems...
There are probably a few others, but this covers most of the sorts of problems most computer users will encounter with OS X.
I too experience this problem and ran EntreCheck. Can someone help me diagnose all the failed system launch items below??
I have MacKeeper installed and will also try uninstalling it. I can't say I ever felt it made a difference one way or the other, but I'll try removing it.
Problem description:
Sluggish system, often with wheel of death.
EtreCheck version: 2.0.11 (98)
Report generated November 17, 2014 at 2:33:28 PM PST
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) (Verified)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1
1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
Cinema Display 1680 x 1050
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.10 (14A389) - Uptime: one day 5:27:37
Disk Information: ℹ️
ST9500325ASG disk0 : (500.11 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / [Startup]: 498.88 GB (367.75 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898
USB Information: ℹ️
Logitech USB-PS/2 Optical Mouse
Microsoft Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Mac App Store and identified developers
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
/Applications/zoom.us.app
[not loaded] zoom.us.ZoomAudioDevice (1.1 - SDK 10.8) Support
/Library/Application Support/MacKeeper/AntiVirus.app
[not loaded] net.kromtech.kext.AVKauth (2.3.7 - SDK 10.9) Support
[loaded] net.kromtech.kext.Firewall (2.3.7 - SDK 10.9) Support
Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
[failed] com.apple.AirPlayUIAgent.plist
[failed] com.apple.bird.plist
[failed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist
[failed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist
[failed] com.apple.cmfsyncagent.plist
[failed] com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist
[failed] com.apple.EscrowSecurityAlert.plist
[failed] com.apple.recentsd.plist
[failed] com.apple.sbd.plist
[failed] com.apple.scopedbookmarkagent.xpc.plist
[failed] com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy.plist
[failed] com.apple.spindump_agent.plist
[failed] com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd.plist
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[failed] com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist
[failed] com.apple.awdd.plist
[failed] com.apple.ctkd.plist
[failed] com.apple.icloud.findmydeviced.plist
[failed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist
[failed] com.apple.installd.plist
[failed] com.apple.nehelper.plist
[failed] com.apple.periodic-daily.plist
[failed] com.apple.softwareupdate_download_service.plist
[failed] com.apple.softwareupdated.plist
[failed] com.apple.spindump.plist
[failed] com.apple.tccd.system.plist
[failed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.fujitsu.pfu.ScanSnap.AOUMonitor.plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
[running] com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist Support
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[running] com.fitbit.galileod.plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.AntiVirus.plist Support
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist Support
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support
[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist Support
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist Support
User Login Items: ℹ️
iTunesHelper UNKNOWNHidden (missing value)
Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper Application (/Applications/Fitbit Connect.app/Contents/MacOS/Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper.app)
Safari Application (/Applications/Safari.app)
MacKeeper Application (/Applications/MacKeeper.app)
Dashlane Application (/Applications/Dashlane.app)
AdobeResourceSynchronizer ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)
ScanSnap Manager Evernote Edition Application (/Applications/ScanSnap Evernote Edition/ScanSnap Manager Evernote Edition.app)
EvernoteHelper Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/com.evernote.Evernote/old/Evernote 450741/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app)
AOUMonitor Application (/Applications/ScanSnap Online Update.localized/AutoOnlineUpdater.app/Contents/MacOS/AOUMonitor.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 Support
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.0 Support
Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.6.5 Support
net.juniper.DSSafariExtensions: Version: (null) Support
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 Support
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.223 - SDK 10.6 Support
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.223 - SDK 10.6 Support
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8
googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 Support
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 Support
Photo Center Plugin: Version: Photo Center Plugin 1.1.2.2 Support
SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.5 - SDK 10.6 Support
User Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
Dashlane: Version: Dashlane 1.0.0 - SDK 10.10 Support
Picasa: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 Support
ZoomUsPlugIn: Version: 2.0.28860.0927 - SDK 10.8 Support
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
Dashlane
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player Support
Flip4Mac WMV Support
Time Machine: ℹ️
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: ON
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 498.88 GB Disk used: 131.13 GB
Destinations:
My Passport for Mac [Local]
Total size: 999.83 GB
Total number of backups: 38
Oldest backup: 2014-01-10 03:57:29 +0000
Last backup: 2014-11-16 01:12:18 +0000
Size of backup disk: Adequate
Backup size 999.83 GB > (Disk used 131.13 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
5% WindowServer
3% ScanSnap Manager Evernote Edition
2% com.apple.WebKit.Networking
1% coreaudiod
1% Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
268 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
112 MB Safari
69 MB Microsoft Word
69 MB WebKitPluginHost
43 MB Skype
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
38 MB Free RAM
1.09 GB Active RAM
1.05 GB Inactive RAM
1.08 GB Wired RAM
6.68 GB Page-ins
145 MB Page-outs
Two things I would do:
1. Reinstall of Yosemite to fix all the failing system items.
2. Uninstall MacKeeper, which is total crap.
Hi John,
Having problems with the "wait cursor" among other things. Saw your thread on Spinning Wheel of Death and tried your fixes:
1. Backed up documents.
2. Did boot OS X Recovery "Repair Disk" and got no reports in red.
3. Ran EtreCheck and got the following reply (says I still have "CleanMyMac" on my system but I uninstalled it before running EtreCheck.
Thanks in advance for your help in resolving my issue !!!
Problem description:
Getting the Spinning Wheel of Death (SWOD).
Sometimes the SWOD turns all blue then a watch.
When typing, it takes forever for the characters to show.
Programs take a long time to launch.
Sound of videos is scratchy or in and out.
EtreCheck version: 2.1.6 (109)
Report generated January 23, 2015 at 1:46:14 PM EST
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Technical Specifications)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2
1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 115
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Color LCD 1280 x 800
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Time since boot: 0:12:34
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE HDD HTS547550A9E384 disk0 : (500.11 GB)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 498.91 GB (442.50 GB free)
Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked
Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8
USB Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Mac App Store and identified developers
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.hp.devicemonitor.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist [Support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher.plist [Support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
None
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 Mismatch! Adobe recommends 16.0.0.287
Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10516.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 25 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 [Support]
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
GoPhoto.it [Installed]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player [Support]
Java [Support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
5% WindowServer
1% HP Device Monitor
1% fontd
0% AppleSpell
0% imagent
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
86 MB Finder
82 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent
73 MB mds_stores
64 MB ocspd
56 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
2.15 GB Free RAM
1.16 GB Active RAM
385 MB Inactive RAM
595 MB Wired RAM
326 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Jan 23, 2015, 01:34:14 PM Self test - passed
Jan 23, 2015, 01:17:42 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-23-131742_[redacted].crash
Jan 23, 2015, 01:17:38 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-23-131738_[redacted].crash
Jan 23, 2015, 12:58:15 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/EtreCheck_2015-01-23-125815_[r edacted].crash
Jan 23, 2015, 11:46:37 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/AdobeResourceSynchronizer_2015 -01-23-114637_[redacted].crash
Jan 22, 2015, 06:07:09 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-22-180709_[re dacted].crash
Jan 22, 2015, 06:07:08 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-22-180708_[re dacted].crash
How did you uninstall it? You must use a vendor-provided uninstaller or uninstallation instructions. You can't just delete files.
You will get better response to your post if you did not tack it onto another persons post.
here is a link to an uninstall instructions --
http://macpaw.com/support/cleanmymac/knowledgebase/how-to-uninstall-cleanmymac-2
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Your advice about and instructions for removing MacKeeper were spot on!
MacKeeper was a robber of TIME, $$$, and SPEED.
I am having the spinning wheeel and stalling problem too. I ran Etresoft and this is what I got. Can anyone help please?!
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated March 11, 2015 at 9:07:50 AM EDT
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Technical Specifications)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2
1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 496
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Color LCD 1280 x 800
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Time since boot: 1:21:4
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (345.11 GB free)
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8
USB Information: ℹ️
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Mac App Store and identified developers
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.canon.MFManager.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist [Click for support]
[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2 Application (/Library/Printers/Canon/IJScanner/Utilities/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2.app)
AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)
ConnectService Application (/Library/Application Support/ArcSoft/Connect Service/ConnectService.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
EPPEX Plugin: Version: 4.1.0.0 [Click for support]
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 3.2.0.1 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
LastPass
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Carbonite [Click for support]
Flash Player [Click for support]
Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
4% WindowServer
2% CarboniteDaemon
1% ConnectService
0% AppleSpell
0% systemstatsd
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
687 MB firefox
129 MB mds_stores
125 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent
47 MB CarboniteDaemon
43 MB WindowServer
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
1.50 GB Free RAM
1.42 GB Active RAM
681 MB Inactive RAM
690 MB Wired RAM
556 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Mar 11, 2015, 07:38:04 AM Self test - passed
Mar 9, 2015, 08:45:10 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/plugin-container_2015-03-09-20 4510_[redacted].crash
MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)
Please start your own question. There doesn't appear to be any obvious issues from your EtreCheck report. Your problem might be a challenging one and you deserve your own thread.
as suggested start your own "New" post, so you control the discussion.
But as a warm-up, it could be Carbonite, consuming network bandwidth or disk bandwidth, especially if it is running when you are trying to work.
Again, Create a new Post and provide all the information you can.
I will start a new post in this forum. I don't think it's carbonite though. I've had Carbonite for 3 years without an issue. And this is getting worse. On or off line, and almost constant. It took about 20 mins. to login to this site and get to this thread- uggghh!
Yosemite changes things. All 3rd party software has to be checked for compatibility and Carbonite is a known problem.
What is the cause of the Spinning Wheel of Death (SWOD) and how can we fix it?
