Need More Ram?

Question

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Need More Ram?

My MacBook Pro has been running really slow and I only have 4GB of RAM. Will upgrading to 8 improve my speed?

Physical Memory: 4.0GB

Memory Used: 3.98GB

Virtual Memory 4.82GB

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 25, 2014 4:10 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 25, 2014 4:14 PM in response to sdugan36

About OS X Memory Management and Usage

Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory & determine how much RAM is used

OS X Mavericks- About Activity Monitor

Understanding top output in the Terminal

The amount of available RAM for applications is the sum of Free RAM and Inactive RAM. This will change as applications are opened and closed or change from active to inactive status. The Swap figure represents an estimate of the total amount of swap space required for VM if used, but does not necessarily indicate the actual size of the existing swap file. If you are really in need of more RAM that would be indicated by how frequently the system uses VM. If you open the Terminal and run the top command at the prompt you will find information reported on Pageins () and Pageouts (). Pageouts () is the important figure. If the value in the parentheses is 0 (zero) then OS X is not making instantaneous use of VM which means you have adequate physical RAM for the system with the applications you have loaded. If the figure in parentheses is running positive and your hard drive is constantly being used (thrashing) then you need more physical RAM.

Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently. It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster. What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent. It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs.

Without more information your question cannot be answered. So, I would suggest your download and install EtreCheck 1.9.15, run it on your computer as it would be under your normal usage, then post those results here.

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Answer 2

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2014 6:17 PM in response to sdugan36

Thank you

Is there a report a can run without buying a 3rd party app?

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 25, 2014 6:31 PM in response to sdugan36

The app is free.

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Answer 4

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2014 6:39 PM in response to Kappy

Sorry Kappy for some reason I thought it said $19.99???

EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)

Report generated August 25, 2014 at 9:34:49 PM EDT

Hardware Information: ?

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information: ?

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ?

OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 4 days 7:29:1

Disk Information: ?

Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB)

S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 319.21 GB (126.73 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 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

Gatekeeper: ?

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ?

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.codeless.kext (2) Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.driver.LfConnectDriver (1.8.0 - SDK 10.7) Support

Launch Daemons: ?

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.connect.shell.plist Support

Launch Agents: ?

[running] com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist Support

[running] com.hp.devicemonitor.plist Support

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.bmspecificlaunchd.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.lxknetlaunchd.plist Support

User Launch Agents: ?

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

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

[running] com.genieo.completer.download.plist Support

[loaded] com.genieo.completer.update.plist Support

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

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist Support

User Login Items: ?

Skype

FaceTab

Internet Plug-ins: ?

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.7 - SDK 10.5 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.5 Support

Silverlight: Version: 4.0.60531.0 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

Safari Extensions: ?

Omnibar

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 ?

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes: ?

Akamai NetSession Preferences Support

Flash Player Support

Growl Support

Time Machine: ?

Skip System Files: NO

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 297.29 GB Disk used: 179.26 GB

Destinations:

My Passport [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: (null)

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 179.26 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU: ?

64% Installer

3% WindowServer

2% iPhoto

1% Activity Monitor

0% sysmond

Top Processes by Memory: ?

624 MB Installer

44 MB MenuTab for Facebook

43 MB iPhoto

20 MB WindowServer

17 MB Activity Monitor

Virtual Memory Information: ?

11 MB Free RAM

592 MB Active RAM

585 MB Inactive RAM

549 MB Wired RAM

1.51 GB Page-ins

96 MB Page-outs

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 25, 2014 6:46 PM in response to sdugan36

OK. You need to do this ASAP:

Remove Genieo: Adware Removal Guide - Genieo

Remove CleanMyMac: use the uninstaller or see Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

You then have this, 624 MB Installer, running. I have no idea what it is but you need to quit it. There's no reason for an installer to be running except if it is installing software. Then it should quit. Right now it is eating up 624MB of memory and is overloading the CPU.

So, if you need help uninstalling the software see:

Uninstalling Software: The Basics

Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash. Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space. If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.

Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.

Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder. You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder. Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.

Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item. Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder. Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences. Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab. Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.

Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS. Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.

If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term. Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default. You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.

Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder. Usually with the same name as the program or the developer. The item generally has a ".pkg" extension. Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.

There are many utilities that can uninstall applications. Here is a selection:

1. AppZapper

2. AppDelete

3. Automaton

4. Hazel

5. AppCleaner

6. CleanApp

7. iTrash

8. Amnesia

9. Uninstaller

10. Spring Cleaning

For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

For malware read:

Helpful Links Regarding Malware Problems

If you are having an immediate problem with ads popping up see The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide and The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Tool. Open Safari, select Preferences from the Safari menu. Click on Extensions icon in the toolbar. Disable all Extensions. If this stops your problem, then re-enable them one by one until the problem returns. Now remove that extension as it is causing the problem.

An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.

See these Apple articles:

Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection

OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

OS X Mavericks- Protect your Mac from malware

About file quarantine in OS X

If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using ClamXAV. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for this recommendation.)

From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:

The facts are:

1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.

2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there

is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.

3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that

the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering

techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.

4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on

your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a

protection against malware.

5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware

from which they purport to protect you.

6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.

7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.

8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something

you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.

9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

Reply

Answer 6

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2014 6:51 PM in response to Kappy

Ill try it now.

Thanks for your time Kappy, its greatly appreciated!

Reply

Answer 7

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 25, 2014 9:13 PM in response to sdugan36

You have a bunch of additional issues that are probably less important, but after you've done all that, re-run EtreCheck and we can go from there.

Reply

Answer 8

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 27, 2014 9:09 AM in response to MadMacs0

Seems a little better but still really slow on starting and opening apps.

EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)

Report generated August 27, 2014 at 11:57:46 AM EDT

Hardware Information: ?

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information: ?

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ?

OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 0 days 2:30:15

Disk Information: ?

Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB)

S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 319.21 GB (127.65 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 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

Gatekeeper: ?

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ?

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.codeless.kext (2) Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.driver.LfConnectDriver (1.8.0 - SDK 10.7) Support

Launch Daemons: ?

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.connect.shell.plist Support

Launch Agents: ?

[running] com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist Support

[running] com.hp.devicemonitor.plist Support

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.bmspecificlaunchd.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.lxknetlaunchd.plist Support

User Launch Agents: ?

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

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

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

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist Support

User Login Items: ?

Skype

FaceTab

Internet Plug-ins: ?

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.7 - SDK 10.5 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.5 Support

Silverlight: Version: 4.0.60531.0 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

Safari Extensions: ?

Omnibar

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 ?

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes: ?

Akamai NetSession Preferences Support

Flash Player Support

Growl Support

Time Machine: ?

Skip System Files: NO

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 297.29 GB Disk used: 178.41 GB

Destinations:

My Passport [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: (null)

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 178.41 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU: ?

4% WindowServer

0% fontd

0% netsession_mac

0% aosnotifyd

Top Processes by Memory: ?

156 MB mds_stores

106 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

74 MB MenuTab for Facebook

57 MB Safari

41 MB Dock

Virtual Memory Information: ?

1.80 GB Free RAM

1.32 GB Active RAM

137 MB Inactive RAM

507 MB Wired RAM

301 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Reply

Answer 9

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 27, 2014 10:18 AM in response to sdugan36

It doesn't appear that you did either of the things Kappy suggested.

Run the Adware Removal Tool to get rid of Genieo (including the Omnibar Safari Extension) and see How to Uninstall CleanMyMac 2?

Reply

Answer 10

sdugan36 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 27, 2014 11:11 AM in response to MadMacs0

Sorry I must have copied an old report.

I removed Genieo and CleanMy Mac, for some reason it still shows the 3 Clean my Mac files?

EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)

Report generated August 27, 2014 at 2:03:49 PM EDT

Hardware Information: ?

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1

1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information: ?

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ?

OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 0 days 4:36:28

Disk Information: ?

Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB)

S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 319.21 GB (127.57 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 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

Gatekeeper: ?

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ?

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.codeless.kext (2) Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.driver.LfConnectDriver (1.8.0 - SDK 10.7) Support

Launch Daemons: ?

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[not loaded] com.leapfrog.connect.shell.plist Support

Launch Agents: ?

[running] com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist Support

[running] com.hp.devicemonitor.plist Support

[loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.bmspecificlaunchd.plist Support

[loaded] com.lexmark.lxknetlaunchd.plist Support

User Launch Agents: ?

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

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

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

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist Support

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist Support

User Login Items: ?

Skype

FaceTab

Internet Plug-ins: ?

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.7 - SDK 10.5 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.5 Support

Silverlight: Version: 4.0.60531.0 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

Safari Extensions: ?

Omnibar

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 ?

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes: ?

Akamai NetSession Preferences Support

Flash Player Support

Growl Support

Time Machine: ?

Skip System Files: NO

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 297.29 GB Disk used: 178.48 GB

Destinations:

My Passport [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: (null)

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 178.48 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU: ?

5% WindowServer

0% MenuTab for Facebook

0% fontd

0% Safari

0% netsession_mac

Top Processes by Memory: ?

160 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

156 MB mds_stores

111 MB MenuTab for Facebook

94 MB Finder

53 MB WindowServer

Virtual Memory Information: ?

1.44 GB Free RAM

1.47 GB Active RAM

335 MB Inactive RAM

527 MB Wired RAM

400 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Reply

Answer 11

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 27, 2014 9:23 PM in response to sdugan36

sdugan36 wrote:

Sorry I must have copied an old report.

I removed Genieo and CleanMy Mac, for some reason it still shows the 3 Clean my Mac files?

Then you could not have followed the instructions given to you in the links Kappy and I gave you, otherwise those 3 files and the OmniBar Safari extension would no longer be there. It would appear that you just trashed those applications rather than run the uninstallers we gave you. That's not the correct way to remove installed software.

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