why is macbook pro running very slow?

Question

Hi! Could someone tell me why my macbook pro is so slow recently? During exams its really distrubing to having forced pauses. Thanks for your support! I ve just done the EtreCheck:Hardware Information:          MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)          MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1          1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores          4 GB RAMVideo Information:          NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MBSystem Software:          OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 11:6:7Disk Information:          Hitachi HTS545025B9SA02 disk0 : (250,06 GB)                    EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 209,7 MB                     Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /: 249,2 GB (79,18 GB free)                    Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 650 MB           MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898  USB Information:          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight           Apple Internal Memory Card Reader           Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub                     Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller           Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver           Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad FireWire Information:Thunderbolt Information:Kernel Extensions:Problem System Launch Daemons:Problem System Launch Agents:Launch Daemons:          [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support linkLaunch Agents:          [loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.gui.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Launch Agents:          [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Login Items:          iTunesHelper          Dropbox          AdobeResourceSynchronizerInternet Plug-ins:          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Outdated! Update          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.8.800.168 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 3.2.0.1 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          Flash Player: Version: 11.8.800.168 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3          SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 3rd-Party support link          Silverlight: Version: 5.0.61118.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8Audio 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 10.93rd Party Preference Panes:          Flash Player  3rd-Party support linkBad Fonts:          NoneOld Applications:          CameraWindow:          Version: 7.10.0.2 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link                    /Applications/Canon Utilities/CameraWindow/CameraWindow.app          SLLauncher:          Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link                    /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.appTime Machine:          Skip System Files: NO          Auto backup: YES          Time Machine not configured!Top Processes by CPU:               6%          WindowServer               4%          mds               2%          EtreCheck               1%          Google Chrome               1%          hiddTop Processes by Memory:          147 MB          Google Chrome          123 MB          softwareupdated          119 MB          com.apple.IconServicesAgent          111 MB          mds_stores          94 MB          SpotifyVirtual Memory Information:          144 MB          Free RAM          1.69 GB          Active RAM          1.44 GB          Inactive RAM          487 MB          Wired RAM          1.42 GB          Page-ins          276 KB          Page-outs

dominic23 · Accepted Answer

OS X Mavericks: If your Mac runs slowly?Startup in Safe Modehttp://support.apple.com/kb/PH14204Repair DiskSteps 1 through 7http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964Choose the method for:"Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".RAMAdding more RAM may help.

Lexiepex · Answer

When you have done dominic&#x27;s recommendations, and even whith everything OK after that, you should - update what&#x27;s said in the etrecheck list;- delete the two AdobePDFViewer internet plugins, not needed in Mavericks;- delete the Sliverlight plugin if you do not use Silverlight anymore;- delete the Java Applet plugin also;- uninstall AdobeResourceSynchronizer and take it out of LoginItems;- check if the Canon tools/apps are up to date for Mavericks, when not update or uninstall;- check if cisco-connect-anywhere is up to date for Mavericks, when not update or uninstall;have a good timeLex

hands4 · Answer

This won&#x27;t solve the slow Mac problem but it is important because one of the causes of a Mac slowing down is a disk starting to fail.  If you are not using another backup program you should configure a Time Machine backup.  You will need an external disk to dedicate to Time Machine.  You should have a reasonbaly current backup at all times since disks can fail at any time.Time Machine Basics: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427Most commonly used backup methods:  https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3045

Lexiepex · Answer

@hands, the mac is 2010.@sunfly: to calm hands4, do the "verify disk" with DiskUtility.

sunfly · Answer

@dominic: I did the safe mode start and after the desktop appeard I did nothing and just shut down and start normally again. Is it that?  I was thinking that some window should have popped out of nowwhere and give me some diagnose... and tell me what to do... ? Then after a normal start I did the disk utility thing, I could only verify and not repair since it seems to be ok? :Then I tried the SMC reset according to the link you sent me, not sure if I did it right cause step 4 and 5 under Portable computers that have a battery you should not remove on your own were somehow the same, after I released everything I didnt have to press power button separately (step5), the mac started already (after step4)@Lex: I&#x27;m really wondering about those two old applications1) I didn&#x27;t find anything useful about camerawindow or canon tools, except that it helps connecting my canon powershot G15 camera with a smartphone... don&#x27;t even says if it works with my camera model nor if it works with mavericks... 2) ...Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.app: Is it needed for what? After looking up it just said useful for webbrowsers, maybe better video quality etc. isn&#x27;t that something good? if I delete it from my library will there e noteable differences when I use the internet? besides that i deleted and update like u suggested and did a check again:Hardware Information:          MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)          MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1          1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores          4 GB RAMVideo Information:          NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MBSystem Software:          OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 0:11:31Disk Information:          Hitachi HTS545025B9SA02 disk0 : (250,06 GB)                    EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 209,7 MB                     Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /: 249,2 GB (76,16 GB free)                    Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 650 MB           MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898  USB Information:          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight           Apple Internal Memory Card Reader           Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub                     Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller           Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver           Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad FireWire Information:Thunderbolt Information:Kernel Extensions:Problem System Launch Daemons:Problem System Launch Agents:Launch Daemons:          [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support linkLaunch Agents:          [loaded] com.cisco.anyconnect.gui.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Launch Agents:          [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Login Items:          iTunesHelper          DropboxInternet Plug-ins:          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3          Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.170 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          CANONiMAGEGATEWAYDL: Version: 3.2.0.1 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9          SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 3rd-Party support link          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8Audio 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 10.93rd Party Preference Panes:          Flash Player  3rd-Party support linkBad Fonts:          NoneOld Applications:          CameraWindow:          Version: 7.10.0.2 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link                    /Applications/Canon Utilities/CameraWindow/CameraWindow.app          SLLauncher:          Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link                    /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.appTime Machine:          Skip System Files: NO          Mobile backups: ON          Auto backup: YES          Volumes being backed up:                    Macintosh HD: Disk size: 232.09 GB Disk used: 161.16 GB          Destinations:                    Time Machine Backups [Local] (Last used)                    Total size: 931.19 GB                     Total number of backups: 12                     Oldest backup: 2013-12-17 21:37:11 +0000                     Last backup: 2014-01-05 11:12:56 +0000                     Size of backup disk: Excellent                              Backup size 931.19 GB &gt; (Disk size 232.09 GB X 3)          Time Machine details may not be accurate.          All volumes being backed up may not be listed.Top Processes by CPU:              22%          WindowServer              13%          Google Chrome               3%          hidd               2%          mds_stores               1%          EtreCheckTop Processes by Memory:          238 MB          Finder          150 MB          mds_stores          131 MB          Microsoft PowerPoint          127 MB          Mail          106 MB          Microsoft WordVirtual Memory Information:          70 MB          Free RAM          1.61 GB          Active RAM          1.58 GB          Inactive RAM          444 MB          Wired RAM          508 MB          Page-ins          996 KB          Page-outs@hands: thanks for note

Lexiepex · Answer

Your old applications: Silverlight can go, you will not notice it, otherwise check the version. It is not important. Canon, what ever you decide, uninstall, or check the compatibility, you can also just move the plugin to a backup folder to see if it makes any difference, then restart.I still have my question about cisco-anyconnect unanswered.Does not look bad now, if disk verify OK no need to do the "repair disk" but that does not harm too.Don&#x27;t be shocked by the Virtual Memory in the Etrecheck list: this is Mavericks.Lex

sunfly · Answer

Ok did it, seems fine. cisco thingi I think I need it for the university intranet, I downloaded it when i set up my uni account, and I could use it when I was in china to have access to facebook and other sites which are officially not accessbale, so better keep it ^^It&#x27;s better but when I open more than 6 or 7 progams (google, music, photo,word....) it starts to slow down.I think best would be just add more RAM as Hands said.Anyway thanks for the help, I learned more about my mac ^.^

Lexiepex · Answer

Abour cisco: you need it, doublecheck the Mavericks compatibility.More Ram never hurts, but it is cheap and easy to install in the MBP2010 (but be very careful, follow iFixit video.The Ram you buy must be absolutely correct spec and from the best Brand: buy OWC or Crucial, nothing else: these MBP&#x27;s are very choosy....Your can upgrade to 2x4GB or 2x8GB.Lex

BPurkayassta · Answer

Hey Lex/Yoda,I am having my Macbook running very slow. Any help from you??CheersJay

Lexiepex · Answer

Jay, please start a new thread: it may be a totally other issue in your mac.Post your new thread here so that we find you easily.With a better description what is wrong, and an etrechecklist.Lex

BPurkayassta · Answer

Hey Lex,As suggested I have started a new thread called "My Macbook is running slow with most application crashing or running very slow" and I have also posted the etrechecklist as you have suggested.

williamdesign24 · Answer

Download OnyX software (free) here for your MacOS: http://www.titanium.free.fr(Run the utilities).Repair your hard disk by restarting holding down Command-R when restarting your MacBook Pro, and run disk utility to repair disk.Download RAM Optimizer for free: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ram-optimizer/id595247413?ls&#x3D;1&amp;mt&#x3D;12 (This app really helped me).Ideally, spend some $, and purchase more RAM.

alex7375 · Answer

For best performance it is best to do a Macbook hardware refresh with 8gb of ram and swap out the rotational hard drive for an SSD.In the mean time try this.I have found the file syncing between apps causes problems and beach balling.Google chrome is a memory hogAlso you want to disable file syncing in google chrome settings.You may also want to disable file and bookmark syncing in iCloud settings.Disable automatic updates.Disable auto updates in app settings.