MacBook runs slow and freezes

Question

MacBook runs slow and freezes

Hi there!

My MacBook has always run very slow and frequently freezes ever since I purchased it in 2011 (it runs slow and freezes). I used to have another MacBook (from 2006) which always worked great, never gave me any problems and ran much faster than the one I have now. Unfortunately it got stolen and that is why I bought another MacBook in 2011. I am not really computer literate and my knowledge of how to solve my mac's problems is very limited, but I have tried a few things over the years and even took it once to the Mac Genius bar in Covent Garden (London). I have also erased and reinstalled twice but although it seemed better at first, improvement in the long term never really happened and it is actually getting worse over the years. I have checked similar posts on other threads and downloaded and run EtreCheck (I have copied the report below) to try to find what could be causing the problem, but I am not really sure what to do (I am a bit confused with all the answers to be honest!).

Many thanks in advance!

More information about my troubleshooting attempts:

- The Apple Genius tested for hardware issues and found nothing. Consequentlysaid it was a SW issue and given I had backed up all my data, he performed and erase and install ( that was the second one I have done so far).

- I am a Mac OS X user since I got my first MacBook in 2006.

- My current MacBook, which I bought in 2011, came with Snow Leopard.

- I am an academic and although I used the MacBook constantly, the applications I use are very limited. I constantly use Word for my work, and besides that I only really use Safari (I also have Firefox installed), Adobe Acrobat, Powerpoint plus iTunes and iPhoto. I also have iPods, an iPhone and an iPad. I do not use the mail app as on my MacBook as I use the web version of my work email.

More info about my Mac:

MacBook 13-inch, Mid 2010

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory 2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB

Software OS X 10.9.2 (13C64)

Etrecheck report: (I ran the report yesterday after a morning of light use)

EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)

Report generated 5 October 2014 11:50:13 IST

Video Information: ?

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ?

OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 0 days 0:8:24

Disk Information: ?

Hitachi HTS545025B9SA02 disk0 : (250.06 GB)

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

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 249.2 GB (116.18 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898

USB Information: ?

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Gatekeeper: ?

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ?

[not loaded] com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMControl (3.0.13) Support

[not loaded] com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMData (3.0.13) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.8) Support

[not loaded] com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBMassStorageFilter (1.3.8) Support

[not loaded] com.novamedia.driver.IceraUSB_MSD_Bypass (1.3.0) Support

[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (3.0.13) Support

[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (3.0.13) Support

[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (3.0.13) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.Option72 (2.15.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.OptionHS (3.26.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.OptionMSD (1.21.0) Support

[not loaded] com.option.driver.OptionQC (1.11.0) Support

[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.39) Support

[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.45) Support

[not loaded] com.vodafone.driver (3.0.9) Support

[not loaded] com.vodafone.driver.Data (3.0.9) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.driver.cdc_ecm_qmi (1.0.1) Support

[not loaded] com.zte.driver.cdc_usb_bus (1.0.1) Support

[not loaded] de.novamedia.driver.NMSamsung (0.0.2) Support

[not loaded] de.novamedia.driver.NMSmartplugSCSIDevice (1.0.1) Support

[not loaded] de.novamedia.driver.NMUSBCDCACMControl (3.2.12) Support

[not loaded] de.novamedia.driver.NMUSBCDCACMData (3.2.12) Support

[not loaded] de.novamedia.oem.vodafone.vtp.huawei.cdc (0.0.2) Support

Launch Daemons: ?

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

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

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support

[running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist Support

[loaded] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeard.plist Support

Launch Agents: ?

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support

[loaded] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist Support

[loaded] de.novamedia.VodafoneDeviceObserver.plist Support

User Launch Agents: ?

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

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

User Login Items: ?

Dropbox

AdobeResourceSynchronizer

Internet Plug-ins: ?

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.152 - 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: 15.0.0.152 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.4 - SDK 10.6 Support

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

Safari Extensions: ?

Cuevana Stream

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

3rd Party Preference Panes: ?

Flash Player Support

Java Support

Trusteer Endpoint Protection Support

Time Machine: ?

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 232.09 GB Disk used: 123.88 GB

Destinations:

Seagate Backup Plus Drive [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 465.44 GB

Total number of backups: 5

Oldest backup: 2013-04-21 19:47:36 +0000

Last backup: 2014-07-13 15:31:21 +0000

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 465.44 GB > (Disk used 123.88 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU: ?

14% WindowServer

4% Safari

1% hidd

1% mdworker32

1% mdworker

Top Processes by Memory: ?

0 B aosnotifyd

0 B opendirectoryd

0 B CloudKeychainProxy

0 B pbs

0 B mDNSResponder

Virtual Memory Information: ?

47 MB Free RAM

588 MB Active RAM

548 MB Inactive RAM

319 MB Wired RAM

401 MB Page-ins

31 MB Page-outs

MacBook (13-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Oct 5, 2014 4:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,128 points

Oct 5, 2014 5:51 AM in response to EdelFromGalway

Good message !!

A. it may be a good thing to think about upgrading ram: 2GB is just about enough. 4 or 8GB is much better: easy to do and cheap: look at the Crucial site and find (with the data of the MB) the memory that you can use. Mac is very sensitive for the exact specs of Ram, I suggest to buy with Crucial. (there may be a store in Dublin, or order it from their website).

B. It looks as if you have remnants of software from your earlier mac.

You have software and or software remnants remnants that you do not use (anymore). Much too many kext installed.

1. Softwares that should be uninstalled:

Trusteer: this really is malware and NOT safe: it is marketed (sometimes through banks even) as making banking safer: strongly said: it is a scam.

Uninstall it:

"Open the .dmg file you've downloaded and from which you've installed Trusteer (Rapport).

If it contains an uninstall file - run that file. For your convenience, you can view these instructions by video in our learning center.If it does not, you are using an older version of Rapport and we recommend you try upgrading first (no need to uninstall first). If you wish to upgrade, or if you do not have the .dmg file, you can download it here."

2. I am pretty sure that you do not need the Samsung/Novamedia software: uninstall it.

3. Same for Novate.

4. Rim Blackberry drivers: uninstall.

5. I think you can do without the ZTE drivers. Uninstall.

6. Same for Option drivers (old, SnowLeopard).

7. Take out AdobeResourceSynchronizer from SystemPreferences/Users&Groups/LoginItems, with the minus sign underneath. Restart and uninstall this app.

8. Do you really need the CuevanaSttream plugin for Safari?

9. After all this, you can open the Java applet in SystemPreferences and uncheck "enable Java". When there is an app that needs it you can enable again, think about having need for such app, uninstall when not necessary.

Restart, empty the trash bin.

Run another etrecheck list, to see if there are no remnants left.

Lex

Reply

Answer 2

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,128 points

Oct 5, 2014 5:54 AM in response to EdelFromGalway

Also can update Mavericks to 10.9.5.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 5, 2014 11:04 AM in response to Lexiepex

Hi Lex - thanks a million for your help. It going to take me a while to follow all your advice. I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,

Edel

Reply

Answer 4

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,128 points

Oct 5, 2014 12:20 PM in response to EdelFromGalway

Glad to be of help.

I will follow up after your next post.

Have a great evening,

Lex

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 8, 2014 5:06 AM in response to EdelFromGalway

Hey Lex, my mac is doing the same, this is the echeck report:

EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)

Report generated October 8, 2014 at 8:01:19 AM EDT

Hardware Information: ?

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information: ?

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ?

OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Uptime: 0 days 8:17:39

Disk Information: ?

Hitachi HTS545032B9A302 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 (246.31 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 Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Thunderbolt Information: ?

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ?

Mac App Store and identified developers

Launch Daemons: ?

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

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

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist Support

Launch Agents: ?

[loaded] com.divx.dms.agent.plist Support

[loaded] com.divx.update.agent.plist Support

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support

User Launch Agents: ?

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

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

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

User Login Items: ?

CheatSheet

Garmin Express Service

Dropbox

iTunesHelper

AdobeResourceSynchronizer

Google Chrome

Internet Plug-ins: ?

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.152 - SDK 10.6 Support

DivX Web Player: Version: 3.2.3.1164 - SDK 10.6 Support

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 Support

Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.152 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 Support

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version

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

3rd Party Preference Panes: ?

Flash Player Support

Java Support

Time Machine: ?

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU: ?

3% WindowServer

1% mdworker

0% fontd

0% Google Chrome

0% mds

Top Processes by Memory: ?

193 MB Google Chrome Helper

152 MB Google Chrome

143 MB ocspd

102 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

70 MB Dropbox

Virtual Memory Information: ?

243 MB Free RAM

1.65 GB Active RAM

1.21 GB Inactive RAM

915 MB Wired RAM

801 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

Reply

Answer 6

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,128 points

Oct 11, 2014 2:20 PM in response to VladimirGP

I will come back tomorrow.

Lex

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