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Expanding Hard Drive Memory on Mac Pro

I currently have an again Mac Pro (early 2009). I've loved this machine--I have 24 Gb RAM, 4 internal 2 TB drives for backup and to store my massive photo and music collections. But it's getting too slow to function properly.


I need to upgrade, and I love the look of the new Mac Pros, but it seems that the most hard drive memory I can have in this is 1TB? Is this really true? How can this be? What about all the people who use it for photography, music, video, etc.? This takes up a lot of memory!


What am I missing here? I can't change to a machine with such limited memory...

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2), 24G RAM

Posted on Mar 5, 2015 6:48 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 5, 2015 7:17 PM

My first thought: your 2009 machine should not be too slow to function properly: it sounds like something is wrong that is probably very fixable. Perhaps something as simple as replacing some of your 2TB drives with 4TB drives, and doing some maintenance on your system drives.


Many of Apple' current offerings have only a single internal hard drive, which is often an SSD. SSDs larger than 1TB aren't available yet, as far as I know.


The idea is that the single internal drive contains the OS and critical applications, with varying amounts of data storage attached using external devices. People use Thunderbolt docks, etc. to attach external drives and other hardware. A lot of what used to be neatly contained within the computer is now external. This what people do with the new Mac Pro.


BTW when you refer to memory, be aware that to most people, that means RAM, as opposed to storage space.

15 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 5, 2015 7:17 PM in response to David Epley

My first thought: your 2009 machine should not be too slow to function properly: it sounds like something is wrong that is probably very fixable. Perhaps something as simple as replacing some of your 2TB drives with 4TB drives, and doing some maintenance on your system drives.


Many of Apple' current offerings have only a single internal hard drive, which is often an SSD. SSDs larger than 1TB aren't available yet, as far as I know.


The idea is that the single internal drive contains the OS and critical applications, with varying amounts of data storage attached using external devices. People use Thunderbolt docks, etc. to attach external drives and other hardware. A lot of what used to be neatly contained within the computer is now external. This what people do with the new Mac Pro.


BTW when you refer to memory, be aware that to most people, that means RAM, as opposed to storage space.

Mar 6, 2015 6:57 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Problem description:

Computer is very slow. Have freed up space on the primary hard drive, but memory intensive applications such as iPhoto, iTunes (we have huge libraries in both), Word, etc. are still almost unusable.


EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)

Report generated March 6, 2015 at 6:28:06 PM PST

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck


Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.


Hardware Information: ℹ️

Mac Pro (Early 2009) (Technical Specifications)

Mac Pro - model: MacPro4,1

2 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon CPU: 8-core

24 GB RAM Upgradeable

DIMM 1

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 2

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 3

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 4

Empty

DIMM 5

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 6

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 7

4 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 8

Empty

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en2: 802.11 a/b/g/n


Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 - VRAM: 512 MB

SyncMaster 1680 x 1050 @ 60 Hz

HP w1907 1440 x 900 @ 60 Hz


System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 13 days 6:21:45


Disk Information: ℹ️

HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N


WDC WD6400AAKS-41H2B0 disk0 : (640.14 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Enterprise (disk0s2) /Volumes/Enterprise : 627.66 GB (222.74 GB free)

eDrive (disk0s3) <not mounted> : 12.00 GB


Hitachi HDS723020BLA642 disk3 : (2 TB)

EFI (disk3s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Wardenclyffe (disk3s2) /Volumes/Wardenclyffe : 2.00 TB (1.09 TB free)


Hitachi HDS723020BLA642 disk1 : (2 TB)

EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Starcatchers (disk1s2) /Volumes/Starcatchers : 2.00 TB (18.35 GB free)


Hitachi HDS723020BLA642 disk2 : (2 TB)

EFI (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Merlin (disk2s2) / : 2.00 TB (1.29 TB free)

Recovery HD (disk2s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB


USB Information: ℹ️

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

AKM AK5370

Aliph Jawbone

EPSON EPSON WorkForce 845 Series

DMI DMI USB2.0 Storage 2 TB

EFI (disk4s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Nimbus 2000 (disk4s2) /Volumes/Nimbus 2000 : 2.00 TB (16.21 GB free)

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Configuration files: ℹ️

/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists


Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers


Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Library/Application Support/MacKeeper/AntiVirus.app

[not loaded] net.kromtech.kext.AVKauth (2.3.7 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]

[not loaded] net.kromtech.kext.Firewall (2.3.7 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_netpart (2.0.2) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_usbpart (2.0.2) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.usbpart (2.0.6) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.aliph.driver.jstub (1.1.2 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.f-secure.kext.fsauth (1.0.0d1) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.flipvideo.IOUSBCameraMassStorage (1.0.1) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (4.1.48f85) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.ni.Fantom.nxtfwdl (1.1.1) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_netpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.netpart.panther (1.6.1) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.usbpart.panther (1.6.1) [Click for support]


/System/Library/Extensions/RemoteControl.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.panther (1.6.1) [Click for support]


Startup Items: ℹ️

AGMacFSWatcher: Path: /Library/StartupItems/AGMacFSWatcher

DynDNSUpdater: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DynDNSUpdater

Fantom: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Fantom

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite


Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

[killed] com.apple.AirPlayUIAgent.plist

[killed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist

[killed] com.apple.cmfsyncagent.plist

[killed] com.apple.Maps.pushdaemon.plist

[killed] com.apple.SafariNotificationAgent.plist

6 processes killed due to memory pressure


Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[killed] com.apple.awdd.plist

[killed] com.apple.ctkd.plist

[killed] com.apple.emond.aslmanager.plist

[killed] com.apple.periodic-monthly.plist

[killed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist

5 processes killed due to memory pressure


Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.f-secure.relauncher.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.f-secure.trasher.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.leapmotion.Leap-Motion.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]

[failed] com.logmein.LMILaunchAgentFixer.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.logmein.logmeingui.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.logmein.logmeinguiagent.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagentatlogin.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.machangout.glims.agent.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.micromat.CheckmateAgent.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.micromat.TechToolProAgent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.parallels.mobile.prl_deskctl_agent.launchagent.plist [Click for support]

[failed] SBA_ListenerAgent.plist [Click for support]


Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.avid.sari.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.f-secure.aua.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]

[running] com.f-secure.clstate-periodic.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.f-secure.fsavd.dbhelper.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.f-secure.fsavd.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]

[loaded] com.f-secure.fsmac.firewall.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.f-secure.fsmac.fsupdated.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]

[running] com.flipvideo.FlipShareServer.launchd.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kav.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.leapmotion.leapd.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.logmein.logmeinserver.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.raupdate.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.micromat.CheckmateIdleDaemon.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.micromat.CheckmateWorkerDaemon.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.micromat.TechToolProDaemon.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.parallels.mobile.dispatcher.launchdaemon.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.parallels.mobile.kextloader.launchdaemon.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.AntiVirus.plist [Click for support]

[running] net.kromtech.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist [Click for support]


User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[failed] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncer.plist

[failed] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.luthresearch.dtservice.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.parallels.mobile.startgui.launchagent.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] jp.co.canon.Inkjet_Extended_Survey_Agent.plist [Click for support]

[failed] net.kromtech.MacKeeper.Helper.plist [Click for support]

[failed] ws.agile.1PasswordAgent.plist [Click for support]


User Login Items: ℹ️

Steam Application (/Applications/Games/Steam.app)

Missing Sync Monitor UNKNOWN (missing value)

Missing Sync WM Monitor UNKNOWN (missing value)

iTunesHelper UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

ExpanderDaemon UNKNOWN (missing value)

Jawbone Updater Application (/Applications/Jawbone Updater.app)

SpeechSynthesisServer Application (/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks /SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesisServer.app)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Google Chrome Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

Mac Security UNKNOWN (missing value)


Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 9.5.5 [Click for support]

LogMeInSafari32: Version: 1.0.730 [Click for support]

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 4.1.3f3 [Click for support]

WidevineMediaOptimizer: Version: 6.0.0.12757 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1017265: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 [Click for support]

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

LogMeInSafari64: Version: 1.0.730 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.1.0 [Click for support]

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 [Click for support]

GarminGpsControl: Version: 2.9.1.0 Release [Click for support]

ToontownBundleManager: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

LogMeIn: Version: 1.0.730 [Click for support]

LogitechHarmony: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.8.1 [Click for support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

SlingPlayer: Version: Unknown - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 31 Check version

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.4 [Click for support]


Safari Extensions: ℹ️

1Password

Open in Internet Explorer

Add To Amazon Wish List


3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Carbonite [Click for support]

Citrix online plug-in [Click for support]

Flash Player [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]

Secrets [Click for support]

TechTool Protection [Click for support]


Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: NO

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Merlin: Disk size: 2.00 TB Disk used: 711.21 GB

Wardenclyffe: Disk size: 2.00 TB Disk used: 914.66 GB

Destinations:

Nimbus 2000 [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 25

Oldest backup: 2015-02-15 09:20:49 +0000

Last backup: 2015-03-07 01:28:55 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 2.00 TB < (Disk used 1.63 TB X 3)

Starcatchers [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 20

Oldest backup: 2015-02-25 09:55:03 +0000

Last backup: 2015-03-07 00:19:11 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 2.00 TB < (Disk used 1.63 TB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

112% CarboniteDaemon

22% WindowServer

14% CheckmateAgent

10% ScreenSaverEngine

5% iTunes


Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

1.68 GB iPhoto

1.62 GB ScreenSaverEngine

1.03 GB com.apple.MediaLibraryService

752 MB CheckmateAgent

464 MB iTunes


Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

6.78 GB Free RAM

8.55 GB Active RAM

3.82 GB Inactive RAM

4.56 GB Wired RAM

749.23 GB Page-ins

7.71 GB Page-outs


Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Mar 6, 2015, 06:22:50 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CheckmateWorkerDaemon_2015-03-06-182250_[redact ed].crash

Mar 6, 2015, 07:36:56 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.MediaLibraryService_2015-03-06-073656 _[redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Click for details]

Mar 6, 2015, 07:33:37 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ScreenSaverEngine_2015-03-06-073337_[redacted]. cpu_resource.diag [Click for details]

Mar 5, 2015, 09:39:33 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/backupd_2015-03-05-213933_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Click for details]

Mar 5, 2015, 01:09:49 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Networking_20 15-03-05-010949_[redacted].crash

Mar 4, 2015, 02:50:43 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Networking_20 15-03-04-145043_[redacted].crash

Mar 4, 2015, 09:47:27 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.Networking_20 15-03-04-094727_[redacted].crash

Mar 4, 2015, 07:12:25 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ScreenSaverEngine_2015-03-04-071225_[redacted]. cpu_resource.diag [Click for details]

Mar 6, 2015 7:16 PM in response to David Epley

You have at least three so-called Anti-Virus programs running. This will bring your Mac to its knees because everything one anti-virus program does, looks like a Virus to the other. The correct number to have installed is ZERO. The built in protection in Mac OS X is better than anything you can buy.


MacKeeper is just cr_p, plain and simple. It should not be on your Mac.


You do not appear to have ever learned to say, "No", to anything. You have several password programs when all you need is built into Mac OS X, a Micromat Utility chewing up I/O looking for nonexistent problems, several VPN replacements, and on and on and on.


If you want your Mac to be fast and reliable, you need to "take out the garbage" and leave it out.

Mar 6, 2015 10:17 PM in response to Allan Eckert

It would be worth trying a clean installation of the OS you mainly use, gradually adding the applications that you actually need. Compare how your Mac Pro performs with a freshly installed system. The Mac Pro you have is a popular model among those in the market for used Mac Pros for good reason.


A 2TB drive (Starcatchers?) is too small to be used effectively as a Time Machine backup for another 2TB drive. I'd suggest you get at least a 4TB drive for backups, and also not rely completely on Time Machine. I use Carbon Copy Cloner to back up the four internal drives in my Mac Pro to external drives. I use sparsebundles which can expand as needed: no need to create a bunch of partitions and clone to them.

Mar 7, 2015 8:24 AM in response to David Epley

I have one comment: I have never on these forums seen a system limping along with just so much "stuff" stuffed into it and trying to function.


You should get some kind of reward that it even boots and "runs."


Disk drive capacity or storage, it is more often the notebook user that misuses memory as a term to refer to and does not know RAM from John whereas any that upgraded their memory to 24GB knows that is what and where RAM is. And 4x2TB as disk storage, yes.


And a clean install (and pick up an SSD device please) should have you pleasantly surprised - - and pleased.

Mar 7, 2015 5:29 PM in response to David Epley

David Epley wrote:


Thanks all for your replies! I will try a clean install and will not add on all the "crap."


One comment: we're not all level 9 users. I'm just learning this stuff and I'm doing the best I can. No need to be mean. And thanks for the help!


I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the change in performance. I hope you feel comfortable coming back for further help.

Expanding Hard Drive Memory on Mac Pro

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