Finder suddenly running really slow

You might need to resync DropBox. Unlink then then add link back in DropBox Preferences > Account.

Markus,

FWIW I have found the same thing, Finder is painfully slow and hangs/beachballs when Dropbox is running. My solution is also the same to avoid using Dropbox when I can. I have tried deleting the cache and resintalling without much success.

If you need to you can launch Dropbox, let it sync, then quit Dropbox and relaunch the finder (CMD + Alt + Escape, select finder and "Relaunch"). Would love to hear a response/solution from the Dropbox folks.

+1

I'm having the same problem. It started about 4 days ago. My Finder totally freezes up with spinning wheel.

I tired everything: updating Dropbox (from 2.8.2 to 2.8.3), uninstalling cleaning up the OS and installing it again, restored Mavericks... nothing helped.

I remember I had a similar issue long ago with Google Drive and it turned out to be the sync status icons over the folder icons. Google Drive has an option under Preferences/Advanced to "Show file sync status icons and right click menu" which can be disabled and fix the issue. Dropbox does not have that option. It could be the same thing.

Funny tho I'm having this problem with my main Mac (Retina MacBook Pro 15") but not with any other of my Macs (Mac Mini, MacBook Air 11" mid2011, my wife's Retina MacBook Pro 13"). They are all up to date and running the latest software from Apple.

I noticed that when my Finder freezes up, in Activity Monitor Finder will be "not responding" as well as "osascript" and I can say it's related.

I also tried updating Java to latest version, just for piece of mind, but no luck.

You see as I have 3 external drives connected to the MacBook using a USB3 hub I thought it could be something like that. I also use the Mac Mini as a server and I have a WD NAS and it could be something related (low wireless signal strengh causing issues trying to talk to the mapped network drives, etc) so it took me a while to finally narrow it down to Dropbox.

I was talking to Dropbox support and they asked me if I had iWorks installed because they are aware of an issue with the latest version of iWorks and the workaround is to downgrade iWorks to version 9 OR export files as iWorks 9. But I don't have iWorks installed.

But I just fixed the problem, thanks to the post from Linc Davis on this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3768164

“Linc Davis

This helped meRe: Finder crash after downloading Dropbox

Mar 1, 2012 1:43 AM (in response to noipac)

Back up all data if you haven’t already done so. Before proceeding, you must be sure you can restore your system to the state it’s in now.

Launch the Terminal application by entering the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. If that doesn’t work, then in the Finder, press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

Copy or drag – do not type – the line below into the Terminal window, then press return:

find ~ -type f -name .DS_Store -delete

The command will take a noticeable amount of time to run. When a new dollar-sign (“$”) prompt appears below what you entered, quit Terminal.”

So I ran the find command for my Dropbox folder only, without the delete option just to find the .DS_Store files:

find "Dropbox (Personal)"/ -type f -name .DS_Store

A big list showed up so I ran with the delete option:

find "Dropbox (Personal)"/ -type f -name .DS_Store - delete

Then I opened Dropbox, it synced properly and Finder looks healthy. Some .DS_Store files came back, but it’s working ok. Maybe one of the .DS_Store files was corrupted and Dropbox went nuts about it?

If this solution decides not to last long and turn out to be a temporary one I shall let you know 🙂

I'm not sure the best place to post this but I am having slow speeds on my 2009 MacBook Pro since installing Mavericks. I have run EtreCheck and here are my results. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am not sure how to go about finding the listed items and weeding them out...

EtreCheck version: 1.9.11 (43) - report generated June 5, 2014 at 3:18:13 PM EDT

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,2

1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

8 GB RAM

Video Information:

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB

NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.3 (13D65) - Uptime: 0 days 1:4:0

Disk Information:

TOSHIBA MQ01ABC150 disk0 : (1.5 TB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 1.5 TB (387.57 GB free)

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

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS21N

USB Information:

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

harman/kardon SoundSticks

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Configuration files:

/etc/hosts - Count: 15

Gatekeeper:

Anywhere

Kernel Extensions:

[kext loaded] com.Cycling74.driver.SAVD (1.0.0d1 - SDK 10.6) Support

[not loaded] com.Huawei.driver.HuaweiDataCardDriver (4.0.6) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.41) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBMassStorageFilter (1.3.41) Support

[not loaded] com.cisco.nke.ipsec (1.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.equinux.VPNTracker6 (6.9.2) Support

[kext loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (1.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.leopard (5.6.1) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.master (5.6.1) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.panther (5.6.1) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.tiger (5.6.1) Support

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0) Support

[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (6.1.5) Support

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394HP (1.0.5) Support

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USBHP (1.0.2) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.driver.cdc_ecm_qmi (1.0.30) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.driver.cdc_usb_bus (1.0.30) Support

[kext loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.1.18) Support

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.1.18) Support

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.1.18) Support

[kext loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.1.18) Support

Startup Items:

CiscoVPN: Path: /System/Library/StartupItems/CiscoVPN

DigiTunnelStartup: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DigiTunnelStartup

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

HWNetMgr: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HWNetMgr

IntegoCommon: Path: /Library/StartupItems/IntegoCommon

PACESupport: Path: /Library/StartupItems/PACESupport

ParallelsTransporter: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ParallelsTransporter

PureFTPD: Path: /Library/StartupItems/PureFTPD

VirtualBox: Path: /Library/StartupItems/VirtualBox

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist Support

[loaded] com.adobe.versioncueCS3.plist Support

[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist Support

[loaded] com.barebones.textwrangler.plist Support

[running] com.crashplan.engine.plist Support

[loaded] com.equinux.VPNTracker6.agent.plist Support

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

[running] com.intego.task.manager.daemon.plist Support

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinserver.plist Support

[loaded] com.logmein.raupdate.plist Support

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

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

[running] com.parallels.mobile.dispatcher.launchdaemon.plist Support

[loaded] com.parallels.mobile.kextloader.launchdaemon.plist Support

[loaded] info.lokiware.attachmenttamer.securetool.plist Support

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

[failed] PACESupport.plist Support

[running] PPPMonitord.plist Support

Launch Agents:

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

[loaded] com.adobe.CS4ServiceManager.plist Support

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist Support

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

[loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist Support

[failed] com.logmein.logmeingui.plist Support

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagent.plist Support

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagentatlogin.plist Support

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

[loaded] com.parallels.mobile.prl_deskctl_agent.launchagent.plist Support

[running] com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist Support

[running] com.srs.EssentialsAgent.plist Support

[running] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist Support

[loaded] info.lokiware.attachmenttamer.setupagent.plist Support

[failed] net.culater.SIMBL.Agent.plist Support

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

[running] SwapperUFi.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] .dat74da.000 (hidden)

osascript -e tell application "Folder Actions Dispatcher" to tick

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

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

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

[running] com.akamai.single-user-client.plist Support

[running] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist Support

[not loaded] com.iLike.Agent.plist Support

[not loaded] com.linotype.FontFolderProtector.plist Support

[loaded] com.parallels.mobile.startgui.launchagent.plist Support

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist Support

[failed] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist Support

[not loaded] info.lokiware.attachmenttamer.cleanup.plist Support

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist Support

[not loaded] ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist Support

User Login Items:

Alfred

FontExplorer X Pro

Box Sync

CNQL4801_ButtonManager

HP Scheduler

Internet Plug-ins:

ContentUploaderPlugin: Version: 1.2 Support

Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

WacomNetscape: Version: 1.1.0-5 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 8.3.1 Support

GlancePlugIn: Version: 2.5.4 Support

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

eMusicRemote: Version: (null) Support

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.1.18709 Support

Photo Center Plugin: Version: Photo Center Plugin 1.1.2.2 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.0r596 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

Mozillaplug: Version: 1.0

eMusic: Version: Unknown

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 1.3 Support

MeetingJoinPlugin: Version: (null) - SDK 10.6 Support

RhapsodyPlayerEngine: Version: 1.1.0 Support

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.8.1 Support

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.1.18709 Support

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.3 - SDK 10.6 Support

WacomSafari: Version: 1.1.0-5 Support

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.2 Support

Safari Extensions:

1Password: Version: 4.2.1

Open in Internet Explorer: Version: 1.0

Pinterest: 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:

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Move_Media_Player: Version: npmnqmp 071503000004 Support

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.26 Support

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Adobe Version Cue CS3 Support

Akamai NetSession Preferences Support

Default Folder X Support

Déjà Vu Support

DigiTunnel Support

DivX Support

Flash Player Support

Flip4Mac WMV Support

Growl Support

MacFUSE Support

Perian Support

SoonR Agent Support

Suitcase Fusion 2 Core Support

WacomTablet Support

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Destinations:

iomega 1TB Black [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 931.19 GB

Total number of backups: 24

Oldest backup: 2011-12-12 18:37:23 +0000

Last backup: 2013-04-12 22:25:15 +0000

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 931.19 GB > (Disk size 0 B X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

36% CrashPlanService

2% WindowServer

1% Box Sync Monitor

0% mds

0% fontd

Top Processes by Memory:

532 MB CrashPlanService

467 MB iTunes

279 MB com.apple.MediaLibraryService

229 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

188 MB Mail

Virtual Memory Information:

1.86 GB Free RAM

3.39 GB Active RAM

1.67 GB Inactive RAM

844 MB Wired RAM

646 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

I'm not sure the best place to post this but I am having slow speeds on my 2009 MacBook Pro since installing Mavericks. I have run EtreCheck and here are my results. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am not sure how to go about finding the listed items and weeding them out...

Once a post has been marked as answered your issue might not get the attention it deserves. In the future start your own post.

I see lots of items not loaded. I also see you have CrashPlan. It could be Crash Plan is doing a complete new upload of your files and is causing the slow downs. Try disabling CrashPlan and see if your Mac speeds up.

If CP is the culprit, only do the backup at night when not using your computer.

If no, then we need to look at cleaning up your Mac.

I see you had MacKeeper at one time. It does a lot of damage. You have the space to create a second partiton and do a clean install of Mavericks then move over your data only to the new install. This would leave all the old crud you no longer need behind. Once you get your new installworking, you would wipe the old install and clone Mavericks to the top partition. You can then remove the second partition or keep it to test out OS X Yosemite when it's relesed in the Fall.

Hi PW,

The same problem is occurring in Mavericks--went through the Safe Boot with AppleCare rep. was better for a couple days, but finder back running slow again.

lenado

This isn't the way to get an answer. (it's called highjacking someone else's topic)

Go back to the Mavericks page near the top - Search or ask a question. Enter your question.

Please tell us more detail - Mac model, OS X version, what you have tried to troubleshoot so far. Have you used one of those scam cleaning apps? You could try downloading the app called etrecheck, and run it and post the results for us, for one troubleshooting step.