Is Stellar SpeedUp Mac reliable?

Question

Over about 6 years my MBP has certainly slowed down. I&#x27;m not doing any tasks that I wasn&#x27;t 6 year ago, so I guessed the disk is full of junk. Even a clean install of Mavericks a year or so ago onto a new larger HD and migration made little difference. I have been told a clean install then reinstallation of all apps etc is necessary, but this would take so long it is not an option.Is there a more viable way of sorting this?Mac Keeper is shown up to be snake oil, but Stellar SpeedUp Mac seems to have good reviews. Is it worth it?Any advice from those who have had similar issues and have solved them much appreciated.Peter

Roger Wilmut1 · Answer

You should be very cautious about any program offering to &#x27;clean up&#x27; your Mac. They are unlikely to help and may well do damage: some of them are extremely difficult to remove.Use Get Info on your disk to check how full it is. It has to be at least 15% free for the system to run properly.

Peter Blackburn · Answer

Thanks for the reply.  The disk is 750GB and has just over 400GB free. Could it be memory? Odd that it takes a few years to slow down, though. I&#x27;m not using any new apps that need lots of memory or CPU power that I wasn&#x27;t when I got the computer.

stedman1 · Answer

You can download the EtreCheck program, then post the results here for other users to see if there is anything running in the background that may be slowing your computer.www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

Peter Blackburn · Answer

Many thanks for the suggestion.Please see the results below:Problem description:Computer runs very slowly sometimes. Apps quite often have to force quitEtreCheck version: 2.1.5 (108)Report generated 31 Dec 2014 12:53:13 GMTClick the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.Hardware Information: ℹ️    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) (Verified)    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,1    1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core    4 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB        Color LCD 1440 x 900    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MBSystem Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Uptime: 1:54:18Disk Information: ℹ️    WDC WD7500BPKX-00HPJT0 disk0 : (750.16 GB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 749.30 GB (401.56 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N  USB Information: ℹ️    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller Gatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.16) [Support]        /Library/Extensions    [loaded]    at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4228 - SDK 10.8) [Support]        /System/Library/Extensions    [loaded]    com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.1) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.FTDI.driver.FTDIUSBSerialDriver (2.2.16) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBMassStorageFilter (1.3.13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.eltima.ElmediaPlayer.kext (1.0) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.eltima.SyncMate.kext (0.2.4b13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.kext.wwan (3.0.23) [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 (1.1.4) [Support]        /System/Library/Extensions/NovatelWirelessWWAN.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMControl (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMData (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.NWVBE (3.0.23) [Support]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [running]    at.obdev.LittleSnitchUIAgent.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]    [invalid?]    SwapperUFi.plist [Support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [running]    at.obdev.littlesnitchd.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.rogueamoeba.instanton-agent.plist [Support]    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Support]    [invalid?]    PPPMonitord.plist [Support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]    [running]    com.vladalexa.MagicPrefs.plist [Support]    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Support]User Login Items: ℹ️    Stickies    Application (/Applications/Stickies.app)    Rogue Amoeba Schedule Helper    Application (/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Rogue Amoeba Schedule Helper.app)    TextExpander    Application (/Applications/TextExpander.app)    SIMBL Agent    Application (/Library/ScriptingAdditions/SIMBL.osax/Contents/Resources/SIMBL Agent.app)    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)    DVDAuthorizeHelper    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Helper/DVDAuthorizeHelper.app)    RealPlayer Downloader Agent    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/RealNetworks/RealPlayer Downloader Agent.app)    SpeechSynthesisServer    Application (/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks /SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesisServer.app)    EvernoteHelper    Application (/Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    DirectorShockwave: Version: 12.0.9r149 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]    Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16   - SDK 10.8 [Support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101749: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 [Support]    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]    npgtpo3dautoplugin: Version: 0.1.44.29 - SDK 10.5 [Support]    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check versionUser internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    EMusic: Version: EMusic 1.0.0 [Support]    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Support]3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    CepstralVoices  [Support]    Flash Player  [Support]    Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]    Java  [Support]    MagicPrefs  [Support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Skip System Files: NO    Mobile backups: OFF    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off    Destinations:        PQB Time Machine back up [Local]         Total size: 0 B         Total number of backups: 8         Oldest backup: 2012-04-07 20:41:49 +0000         Last backup: 2012-04-15 15:23:33 +0000         Size of backup disk: Excellent            Backup size 0 B &gt; (Disk size 0 B X 3)Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️         6%    WindowServer         3%    mds         1%    fontd         1%    RealPlayer Downloader Agent         0%    firefoxTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    442 MB    firefox    245 MB    com.apple.IconServicesAgent    150 MB    Finder    120 MB    Google Chrome    107 MB    WindowServerVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    211 MB    Free RAM    1.30 GB    Active RAM    1.86 GB    Inactive RAM    660 MB    Wired RAM    1.95 GB    Page-ins    0 B    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Dec 31, 2014, 11:00:44 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/UserEventAgent_2014-12-31-110044_[redacted].cra sh    Dec 31, 2014, 10:59:31 AM    Self test - passed

Peter Blackburn · Answer

I&#x27;m sorry; the first paste to this resulted in poorly formatted text. This is better.Problem description:Computer runs very slowly sometimes. Apps quite often have to force quitEtreCheck version: 2.1.5 (108)Report generated 31 Dec 2014 12:53:13 GMTClick the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.Hardware Information: ℹ️    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) (Verified)    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,1    1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core    4 GB RAM Upgradeable        BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB        Color LCD 1440 x 900    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MBSystem Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Uptime: 1:54:18Disk Information: ℹ️    WDC WD7500BPKX-00HPJT0 disk0 : (750.16 GB)        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 749.30 GB (401.56 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N  USB Information: ℹ️    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller Gatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions: ℹ️        /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.16) [Support]    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.16) [Support]        /Library/Extensions    [loaded]    at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4228 - SDK 10.8) [Support]        /System/Library/Extensions    [loaded]    com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.1) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.FTDI.driver.FTDIUSBSerialDriver (2.2.16) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBCDCACMData (1.3.13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.ZTE.driver.ZTEUSBMassStorageFilter (1.3.13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.eltima.ElmediaPlayer.kext (1.0) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.eltima.SyncMate.kext (0.2.4b13) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.kext.wwan (3.0.23) [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 (1.1.4) [Support]        /System/Library/Extensions/NovatelWirelessWWAN.kext/Contents/PlugIns    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMControl (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.NovatelWireless.driver.NovatelWirelessUSBCDCECMData (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (3.0.23) [Support]    [not loaded]    com.novatelwireless.driver.NWVBE (3.0.23) [Support]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [running]    at.obdev.LittleSnitchUIAgent.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]    [invalid?]    SwapperUFi.plist [Support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [running]    at.obdev.littlesnitchd.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]    [loaded]    com.rogueamoeba.instanton-agent.plist [Support]    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Support]    [invalid?]    PPPMonitord.plist [Support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]    [running]    com.vladalexa.MagicPrefs.plist [Support]    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Support]User Login Items: ℹ️    Stickies    Application (/Applications/Stickies.app)    Rogue Amoeba Schedule Helper    Application (/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Rogue Amoeba Schedule Helper.app)    TextExpander    Application (/Applications/TextExpander.app)    SIMBL Agent    Application (/Library/ScriptingAdditions/SIMBL.osax/Contents/Resources/SIMBL Agent.app)    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)    DVDAuthorizeHelper    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Helper/DVDAuthorizeHelper.app)    RealPlayer Downloader Agent    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/RealNetworks/RealPlayer Downloader Agent.app)    SpeechSynthesisServer    Application (/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks /SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesisServer.app)    EvernoteHelper    Application (/Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    DirectorShockwave: Version: 12.0.9r149 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]    Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16   - SDK 10.8 [Support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101749: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 [Support]    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]    npgtpo3dautoplugin: Version: 0.1.44.29 - SDK 10.5 [Support]    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check versionUser internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    EMusic: Version: EMusic 1.0.0 [Support]    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Support]3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    CepstralVoices  [Support]    Flash Player  [Support]    Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]    Java  [Support]    MagicPrefs  [Support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Skip System Files: NO    Mobile backups: OFF    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off    Destinations:        PQB Time Machine back up [Local]         Total size: 0 B         Total number of backups: 8         Oldest backup: 2012-04-07 20:41:49 +0000         Last backup: 2012-04-15 15:23:33 +0000         Size of backup disk: Excellent            Backup size 0 B &gt; (Disk size 0 B X 3)Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️         6%    WindowServer         3%    mds         1%    fontd         1%    RealPlayer Downloader Agent         0%    firefoxTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    442 MB    firefox    245 MB    com.apple.IconServicesAgent    150 MB    Finder    120 MB    Google Chrome    107 MB    WindowServerVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    211 MB    Free RAM    1.30 GB    Active RAM    1.86 GB    Inactive RAM    660 MB    Wired RAM    1.95 GB    Page-ins    0 B    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Dec 31, 2014, 11:00:44 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/UserEventAgent_2014-12-31-110044_[redacted].cra sh    Dec 31, 2014, 10:59:31 AM    Self test - passed

Peter Blackburn · Answer

It still seems to be pasting badly. If a text file attachment is better, please advise,Peter

JimmyCMPIT · Answer

The following apps I have used as a Mac Tech for 16 years, they are also tools that were recommend to me by fellow Mac IT specialists. I&#x27;ve narrowed down my tool chest to the following applications that have repeatedly come through for me in critical situations and I have found to be 100% BS free.Some or most of what these packages do can be done through the terminal with a little or a lot of savvy but in the corporate world TIME &#x3D; $$$ (Einstein)Commercial:Drive Genius (HD Utilities) Disk Warrior (HD Repair)Data Rescue (HD Data Salvaging)Free:Onyx  http://www.titanium.free.fr/Cocktail http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/BatchMod http://www.lagentesoft.com/batchmod/

Peter Blackburn · Answer

Thanks very much. It looks as if the first two might help me. I&#x27;ll report back when I tried them.