Level 1

1 points

MacBook Pro extremely slow start up, Rainbow wheel of death. HELP!

Hi there

My Mac has just suddenly started becoming very slow. Upgraded to Mavericks 2 months ago. Had an issue at first install that was resolved with re-installation.

Has become very slow to boot, freezing at the Grey Screen with the Apple and spining cog. (Kernel I think?)

It is also very slow once logged in. Nothing has changed system wise. Any help would be much appreciated.

EtreCheck version: 1.9.11 (43) - report generated 6 June 2014 1:53:23 pm AEST

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics - VRAM: 288 MB

NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 512 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.3 (13D65) - Uptime: 0 days 0:32:16

Disk Information:

Hitachi HTS545050B9SA02 disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (56.74 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898

USB Information:

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions:

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTELTEUSBCDCACMData (5.0.1) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTELTEUSBMassStorageFilter (5.0.1) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.12) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBMassStorageFilter (1.3.12) Support

[kext loaded] com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal (9.0.4f4 - SDK 10.5) Support

[not loaded] com.maudio.usb.fasttrackpro.driver (1.8) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.leopard (5.7.2) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.master (5.7.2) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.panther (5.7.2) Support

[kext loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard (5.7.2) Support

[not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.tiger (5.7.2) Support

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (1.7) Support

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.1.1) Support

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.1.1) Support

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.1.1) Support

[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.1.1) Support

[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraDIPSupport (1.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSRSupport (3.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraHSRSupport (3.0.0) Support

[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraIPDirect (1.1.5) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.LTEdriver.cdc_ecm_qmi (1.0.2) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.LTEdriver.cdc_usb_bus (1.0.2) Support

Startup Items:

DigidesignLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DigidesignLoader

PACESupport: Path: /Library/StartupItems/PACESupport

Problem System Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.paragon.NTFS.auth.plist Support

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[loaded] com.adobe.versioncueCS4.plist Support

[loaded] com.disc-soft.DAEMONTools.PrivilegedHelper.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist Support

[running] com.paceap.eden.licensed.plist Support

[loaded] PACESupport.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.CS4ServiceManager.plist Support

[running] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist Support

[running] com.sierrawireless.SwitchTool.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

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

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

[not loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher.plist Support

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist Support

User Login Items:

None

Internet Plug-ins:

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

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:

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 Support

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Adobe Version Cue CS4 Support

Flash Player Support

M-AudioFastTrackPro Support

Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X Support

Time Machine:

Auto backup: YES

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

3% WindowServer

0% TextEdit

0% fontd

0% aosnotifyd

Top Processes by Memory:

119 MB mds_stores

106 MB Google Chrome

66 MB Finder

57 MB WindowServer

45 MB Dock

Virtual Memory Information:

1.77 GB Free RAM

1.13 GB Active RAM

213 MB Inactive RAM

787 MB Wired RAM

442 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Battery Info

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 3391

Fully Charged: No

Charging: Yes

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 5599

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 806

Jun 1 17:56:26 shaunmahallsmbp kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 10524

Jun 2 12:12:30 shaunmahallsmbp kernel[0] <Debug>: nspace-handler-unblock: did not find token 94

Jun 6 09:24:24 localhost kernel[0] <Debug>: Previous Shutdown Cause: -60

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Jun 5, 2014 9:01 PM

29 replies

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 7, 2014 1:51 AM in response to MadMacs0

Ahh, at the supreme moment I had connection problems. You are right mad, it is not with Mavericks. Some copy protection part of external software. With me none of the kexts is loaded.

bootsey88 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 7, 2014 4:03 AM in response to Lexiepex

Hi all,

Thanks again for all the help.

@MadMacs0 - I went through EasyFind and deleted all of the files in the way you suggested, and yes some allowed me to delete them after being prompted for a password. There were still several in a "Reciept" folder that just said I could not delete them, so not sure about those ones.

I've had Mavericks installed for around 2 months, and I've already had to Reinstall the OSX once, which at the time improved the sluggishness, but its current state its much much worse than before.

I just tried to reinstall the OSX again, but it froze at 0% left of downloading, before it automatically restarted. I had no option but to hold down the power button until it reset. Then it went through the 30 min start up procedure again, and now is running OK. I might try to run the Reinstallation again tomorrow.

@Linc Davis - OK, no problem. It terms of dealing with my failing drive, would you suggest there is any more I can do to try and fix the issue? Or would you suggest that it would be a matter of having the hardware checked and possibly replaced by a technician?

@Lex - Yep, didn't have much success getting rid of everything, and have had no improvement from what I did remove.

What would you suggest I do to ensure disk health? Would your opinion be that this is an issue solely related to a failing harddrive?
I have not made a backup image of my current setup, but I have backups of all the documents I need, and apart from that, it would not be a problem for me to start on a fresh system.

This laptop is well out of warranty. I was reading about the possibility to upgrade the ram, and harddrive to solid state. Any thoughts or info on that? Likely to be something that I could do myself? I have built many PC's, but I've never cracked open a Mac.

Anyway, thanks again guys, any thoughts or advice would be awesome and greatly appreciated..

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 7, 2014 5:29 AM in response to bootsey88

@bootsy: "What would you suggest I do to ensure disk health? Would your opinion be that this is an issue solely related to a failing harddrive?" I strongly advise to make a Genius Appointment and have them check the hardware, they have much more to test the drive. Like Linc also already suggested.

Lex

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jun 7, 2014 6:53 AM in response to bootsey88

Or would you suggest that it would be a matter of having the hardware checked and possibly replaced by a technician?

That. Inconvenient as it may be, losing your data is worse.

bootsey88 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 8, 2014 1:26 AM in response to Linc Davis

Alright, thanks for the help guys.

@Lex - Just to clarify... have them check the hardware, they have much more to test the drive

Are you saying that the techs will obviously have more knowledge and equipment to test the hardware, as I can understand, or do you mean that there is possibly further hardware parts in need of testing, that could be causing this issue?

Just want to know whether or not you would suggest that this is most likely harddisk related, or if there is the possibilty of issues in other systems?

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 8, 2014 8:32 AM in response to bootsey88

“Are you saying that the techs will obviously have more knowledge" : I hope not 😁, but probably.

"and equipment to test the hardware" : yes.

And yes, a check too much is never harmful, a check too less can be disastrous: I would do it.

bootsey88 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 8, 2014 3:50 PM in response to Lexiepex

Haha, sorry Lex I was referring to my knowledge....😝

Great will do. One last question, upgrading to SSD if the drive is failing seems logical to me. Any advice or reccommendations in terms of good brands or specs to look for etc?

Thanks again for all the help!

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 9, 2014 12:50 AM in response to bootsey88

"upgrading to SSD" : a lot of threads and a lot of experience here in the forum. An SSD is very comfortable.

Brands: Crucial, OWC

Size: 250, 500, 1000 Gb. Have all system and all apps on it at least. Have enough Ram so you avoid page-outs.

Controller (and GarbageCollection): preferably Marvell based, the Sandforce is a bit less (the two above are Marvell, the popular Samsung EVO is Sandforce based).

Make sure you have enough free disk space: say about 70-100GB, when almost full you may need to install the Trim command, which changes a system kext file deep inside, and when that can be avoided avoid it.

Installing: easy in your MBP, I will explain when you decide to do it.

Lex

bootsey88 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 9, 2014 7:31 PM in response to Lexiepex

Well the HDD in my MBP seems to have died completely now. Luckily I got all the files I need. Didn't get to finihs making a bootable USB, so hopefully I still have the OSX disc somewhere.

After having a read and look at prices, I'm thinking I'll get a Crucial M500 480 Gb SSD. Does this one usually require trim?

(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ8RHJ2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1& smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

& Crucial 4 Gb DDR3 RAM 1066 MT/s PC3-8500 204 Pin

( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RW989W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1& smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

I'll also grab some Torx screwdrivers. Is there any additional cables or anything else needed to install the new SSD?

Also, what format is the original RAM usually in? I have 4Gb as standard, is that usally made up of 2 x 2Gb, or 1 x 4Gb.

Thanks again Lex, I owe you a beer!

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Jun 9, 2014 9:19 PM in response to bootsey88

bootsey88 wrote:

After having a read and look at prices, I'm thinking I'll get a Crucial M500 480 Gb SSD. Does this one usually require trim?

Lots of controversy here. Apple keeps trim turned off on all except the drives it provides as OEM and does not recommend it's user for third party drives. I would ask Crucial what they recommend and act accordingly. Some users swear by it and others say it causes issues for them. It's just a way to let the drive know what has been freed up so that it can use decide what can be re-allocated, so I don't see how it causes any harm, but I'm afraid the technology may be too new for a solid recommendation to be made.

I'll also grab some Torx screwdrivers. Is there any additional cables or anything else needed to install the new SSD?

Most drives require a 2.5 to 3.5 inch adapter frame. Crucial should offer them.

Also, what format is the original RAM usually in?

Three choices:

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270#link2.
Select "About This Mac" from the  menu, then "More Info..." and look at the "Memory" info.
Go to Crucial and choose "scan my system".

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Jun 9, 2014 9:53 PM in response to bootsey88

Most drives require a 2.5 to 3.5 inch adapter frame.

Oops, disregard. It momentarily slipped my mind that your replacing a 2.5 inch drive so you won't need an adapter at all.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 10, 2014 3:44 AM in response to bootsey88

The Crucial is good choice, Crucial is a bit unconclusive about Trim, as I said don't do the Trim command when you have enough free space to have the built-in Garbage-Collection do its job well. The Trim command is a modification of a file deep inside the OSX belly, so it should be avoided. Also after system updates it may be that it is gone.

Besides the torx screwdrivers you do not need anything, maybe a real flat "spudger" to carefully pry the small cable connectors loose. Be very careful with the cable connectors, carefully pry loose, and very carefully put back.

Ram: on the Crucial and OWC (macsales.com) sites there are "finders" (configurators) to find the exact ram you need.

About the beer: I am satisfied when you are helped well.

Lex

bootsey88 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 10, 2014 3:59 PM in response to Lexiepex

@MadMacs - Thanks for the info, very much appreciated! I used the Crucial system scan to get the recommended compatible upgrades. I then contacted them and asked about trim, but they didn't mention anything about it in their reply.

@Lex - With the 480 Gb and external storage I should have plenty of space, and can stay away from using trim altogether. I've made the order, and managed to get a bootable USB made yesterday, so hopefully I should be sorted.

Thanks again guys, appreciate it!

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jun 11, 2014 2:00 AM in response to bootsey88

Great, have fun.

Lex

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MacBook Pro extremely slow start up, Rainbow wheel of death. HELP!