Macbook consistently stop responding; takes forever to do things

Question

Macbook consistently stop responding; takes forever to do things

Recently my mac has started to stop responding, all the time. I find the most trouble started with OS related interfaces. For example, I'd click the wifi button at the top and I'd get an instant pinwheel, the same went for the sound button as well. In addition, when I use the shortcuts on my keyboard to adjust volume or brightness, I'd often get no responses delayed as much as a minute or two. Almos everytime I click on the apple icon at the top I get the pinwheel. Opening folders, clicking buttons in interface menus. When I go into system preferences and I click a submenu it takes about 15 seconds to load.

Beyond the OS interface my programs stop responding all the time too. It's also taking noticibly longer to start up (I've restarted it about 5 times today accessing utilities and resetting the PRAM to try and fix it). Occasionally it seems a little better but it never seems to last long, perhaps as much as 5 minutes of smooth sailing until it starts freaking out again.

In the activity monitor I'm averaging about 96% idle. Looking at memory I think the usage is a little high (which would make sense for being slow) I have 8gb installed and it says I'm using 4gb, the other day when I checked I thought it was lower than that.

There's a kernal task that seems really high.

Process Name: kernal_task

Memory: 650mb

Threads: 92

Any insight? Any ideas what's causing this? How can I fix it?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Apr 14, 2014 6:54 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 14, 2014 7:02 AM in response to NicholasLacasse

May help (and cannot hurt) to reset the SMC.

Do you have 10-15% free on your HD at all times?

Barry

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,606 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:32 AM in response to NicholasLacasse

Sometimes this helps show potential troublemakers:

Please download and install this free utility:

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

It is secure and written by one of our most valued members to allow users to show details of their computer's configuration In Apple Support Communities without revealing any sensitive personal data.

Run the program and click the "Copy report to clipboard" button when it displays the results. Then return here and paste the report into a response to your initial post. It can often show if any harmful files/programs are dragging down your performance.

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Answer 3

Apr 14, 2014 7:35 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Did not seem to help. I had to look up a how-to on the apple site ( this one: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964) though and the symptoms described are certainly some of the things I'm experiencing.

For example, from their list I'm experiencing everything from the "system performance" section:

The computer is running unusually slowly although it is not experiencing abnormally high CPU utilization.
Application icons may "bounce" in the Dock for an extended amount of time when launched.
Applications may not function correctly or may stop responding after being opened.

And I usually have about 10-15% free and I do right now.

New issue: the wifi symbol has no bars, but when I click on it, the menu shows that I'm connected to the network at full bars -- also, I can load web pages despite it showing that I'm not connected to any networ

I appreciate the suggestion though! Got any more? =\

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Answer 4

Apr 14, 2014 7:37 AM in response to Allan Jones

Working on getting the etre report now.

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Answer 5

Apr 14, 2014 7:56 AM in response to Allan Jones

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

8 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1024 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 0 days 0:15:49

Disk Information:

TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (61.38 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

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

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Kernel Extensions:

com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.6.6 - SDK 10.6)

Startup Items:

360ControlDaemon: Path: /Library/StartupItems/360ControlDaemon

ResponseHardwareService: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ResponseHardwareService

Problem System Launch Agents:

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

Launch Daemons:

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

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

[System] com.disc-soft.DAEMONTools.PrivilegedHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

Launch Agents:

[System] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.hitachi.starboarddriver.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.penpad.hotkeydriver.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.penpad.penpadtablet.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.boardservice.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.floatingtools.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.ink.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.responseconnectorservice.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.responsedesktopmenu.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.SBWDKService.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.smartnotification.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.smarttech.systemtrayicon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] jp.co.e-it.xiroku.lsadrv.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

[invalid] liblsdrv.dylib

[invalid] libPenPositionCompensator.dylib

[invalid] StarboardDriver

User Launch Agents:

[not loaded] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

[not loaded] com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] jp.co.canon.Inkjet_Extended_Survey_Agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Login Items:

Dropbox

Internet Plug-ins:

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 11.9.900.117 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flash Player: Version: 11.9.900.117 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.935 - SDK 10.7 3rd-Party support link

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.1 3rd-Party support link

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.935 - SDK 10.7 3rd-Party support link

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.3 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 4.3.5f1 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Outdated! Update

Safari Extensions:

Open in Internet Explorer: Version: 1.0

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - 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:

BlueStacks Install Detector: Version: Unknown

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

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player 3rd-Party support link

Launchpad-Control 3rd-Party support link

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

SMART Board 3rd-Party support link

XBox 360 Controllers 3rd-Party support link

Old Applications:

None

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: ON

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 464.96 GB Disk used: 407.79 GB

Destinations:

My Passport for Mac [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: (null)

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 407.79 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

1% mds

1% EtreCheck

0% mdworker

0% SpotifyWebHelper

Top Processes by Memory:

172 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

139 MB Google Chrome

90 MB mds_stores

74 MB Dropbox

66 MB ocspd

Virtual Memory Information:

5.59 GB Free RAM

1.36 GB Active RAM

320 MB Inactive RAM

753 MB Wired RAM

362 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Apr 14, 2014 10:11 AM in response to NicholasLacasse

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select

View ▹ Show Log List

from the menu bar.

Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.

When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.

Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.

Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

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Answer 7

Apr 14, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

Here's the log. I was watching it as I tried some actions.

The first two lines popped up when I clicked on the "sound" icon at the top of my screen. My mac paused, gave me the beachball and after a long delay showed me the sound slider.

I then went to Google chrome and tried to navigate to facebook. It stalled and did absolute nothing, I press enter again after a while. Close the tab, reopened and tried again. It connected this time.

Here's the log:

4/14/14 5:38:08.000 PM kernel[0]: en1: 802.11d country code set to 'US'.

4/14/14 5:38:08.000 PM kernel[0]: en1: Supported channels 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140 149 153 157 161 165

4/14/14 5:39:02.569 PM Google Chrome Helper[865]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd. : LSXPCClient.cp #426 ___ZN26LSClientToServerConnection21setupServerConnectionEiPK14__CFDictionary_bl ock_invoke() q=com.apple.main-thread

4/14/14 5:39:02.569 PM Google Chrome Helper[865]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd.

4/14/14 5:39:02.574 PM Google Chrome Helper[865]: CGSLookupServerRootPort: Failed to look up the port for "com.apple.windowserver.active" (1100)

4/14/14 5:39:03.881 PM Google Chrome Helper[867]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd. : LSXPCClient.cp #426 ___ZN26LSClientToServerConnection21setupServerConnectionEiPK14__CFDictionary_bl ock_invoke() q=com.apple.main-thread

4/14/14 5:39:03.882 PM Google Chrome Helper[867]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd.

4/14/14 5:39:03.889 PM Google Chrome Helper[867]: CGSLookupServerRootPort: Failed to look up the port for "com.apple.windowserver.active" (1100)

4/14/14 5:39:04.725 PM Google Chrome Helper[868]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd. : LSXPCClient.cp #426 ___ZN26LSClientToServerConnection21setupServerConnectionEiPK14__CFDictionary_bl ock_invoke() q=com.apple.main-thread

4/14/14 5:39:04.725 PM Google Chrome Helper[868]: Process unable to create connection because the sandbox denied the right to lookup com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd and so this process cannot talk to launchservicesd.

4/14/14 5:39:04.733 PM Google Chrome Helper[868]: CGSLookupServerRootPort: Failed to look up the port for "com.apple.windowserver.active" (1100)

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Apr 14, 2014 2:45 PM in response to NicholasLacasse

Please quit Chrome and use Safari for a while. See whether there's an improvement. If there isn't, post another log extract that isn't flooded with Chrome error messages.

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Answer 9

Apr 14, 2014 3:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

Safari was behaving worse than chrome. Sorry about all the chrome messages, I had selected about 12 lines in the console and didn't realize it would expand so much. I tried to take unique chunks from this log but there were a few different kinds of errors. Additionally, the finder errors (disabling the UI updates) happened much more frequently than is shown and to the same level of severity (30 seconds of non-responsiveness).

Safari yielded similar results, I only included one section of non-responsive UI messages. I have no idea what the last bit is, but it seemed important. Maybe?

Here is the log:

4/14/14 6:08:50.269 PM WindowServer[94]: disable_update_timeout: UI updates were forcibly disabled by application "Finder" for over 1.00 seconds. Server has re-enabled them.

4/14/14 6:09:04.269 PM WindowServer[94]: disable_update_likely_unbalanced: UI updates still disabled by application "Finder" after 15.00 seconds (server forcibly re-enabled them after 1.00 seconds). Likely an unbalanced disableUpdate call.

4/14/14 6:09:21.236 PM WindowServer[94]: common_reenable_update: UI updates were finally reenabled by application "Finder" after 31.97 seconds (server forcibly re-enabled them after 1.00 seconds)

4/14/14 6:09:21.397 PM Finder[181]: void CGSUpdateManager::log() const: conn 0xc30b: spurious update.

4/14/14 6:14:42.756 PM xpcproxy[334]: assertion failed: 13C64: xpcproxy + 3438 [D559FC96-E6B1-363A-B850-C7AC9734F210]: 0x2

4/14/14 6:14:48.371 PM WindowServer[94]: disable_update_timeout: UI updates were forcibly disabled by application "Safari" for over 1.00 seconds. Server has re-enabled them.

4/14/14 6:15:02.371 PM WindowServer[94]: disable_update_likely_unbalanced: UI updates still disabled by application "Safari" after 15.00 seconds (server forcibly re-enabled them after 1.00 seconds). Likely an unbalanced disableUpdate call.

4/14/14 6:15:25.873 PM launchctl[337]: launchctl: CFURLCreateDataAndPropertiesFromResource(/Library/LaunchAgents/StarBoardDriver) failed: -10

4/14/14 6:15:25.873 PM launchctl[337]: launchctl: no plist was returned for: /Library/LaunchAgents/StarBoardDriver

4/14/14 6:15:25.893 PM WindowServer[94]: common_reenable_update: UI updates were finally reenabled by application "Safari" after 38.52 seconds (server forcibly re-enabled them after 1.00 seconds)

4/14/14 6:20:30.152 PM com.apple.WebKit.Networking[329]: CFNetwork SSLHandshake failed (-9806)

4/14/14 6:22:34.000 PM kernel[0]: SerialATAPI device reconfiguration did not complete successfully. (failedCommandInfo = 0x1)

4/14/14 6:23:17.000 PM kernel[0]: SerialATAPI device reconfiguration did not complete successfully. (failedCommandInfo = 0x1)

4/14/14 6:24:58.084 PM Safari[326]: Couldn't contact spell checker for Multilingual

4/14/14 6:25:08.030 PM AppleSpell[311]: *** -[NSMachPort handlePortMessage:]: dropping incoming DO message because the connection is invalid

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Apr 14, 2014 4:49 PM in response to NicholasLacasse

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.

Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Although it will be slower than normal operation, it may not be as slow as what you're experiencing now.

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

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Answer 11

Apr 14, 2014 6:08 PM in response to Linc Davis

While in the guest account the issues were about as bad. In safe mode the issues were slightly less bad, but still not good. When it did become nonresponsive it was usually for less than 10 seconds -- as compared to the 25+ seconds of nonresponsiveness that I've been getting.

After restarting the problem has persisted.

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Answer 12

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Apr 14, 2014 6:17 PM in response to NicholasLacasse

Start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.

Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

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Answer 13

Apr 15, 2014 6:31 AM in response to Linc Davis

The safari in Recover mode worked quite smoothly.
While I was in recovery mode I went to disc utilities and repaired permissions (I heard it can possibly help). It seems quite a few things were incorrect (mostly iBook which was just added to my computer when I updated to Maverick a day or two ago), and a couple Safari permissions.

Upon restarting my computer the first couple clicks went smoothly but there was noticable delay (but not beachball). And now it's acting as it was before where most clicks result in lack of responsiveness.

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Answer 14

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Apr 15, 2014 7:44 AM in response to NicholasLacasse

If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data, then reinstall the OS.* You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.

If you use FileVault 2, then before running the Installer you must launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the FileVault startup volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another icon with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar and enter your login password when prompted. Then quit Disk Utility to be returned to the main screen.

There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode.

*The linked support article refers to OS X 10.9 ("Mavericks"), but the procedure is the same for OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later.

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Answer 15

Apr 16, 2014 5:45 PM in response to Linc Davis

Booted to the recovery mode. Reinstalled the OS (Mavericks, 10.9.2). The problem has persisted.

P.s. Thanks for all your help thus far! I really appreciate it!

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