My Mac is running INCREDIBLY slow, Kernel-task and LR, PS, PSE, etc. are not functioning well.

Question

Hi!  Been trying to follow a thread about the Kernel-task and slow Mac performance.  I did download EtreCheck and ran the report.  I am a photographer using LR 4 and Chrome is my main browser.  Both Chrome and LR (or PSE, or PS or Xee (a photo viewing app) make my computer run beyond ridiculously slow.  I have so much work to do for clients and I get stopped in the middle of editing and cannot move forward because my beloved Mac is having issues.  I did go through several old apps and the Application Support and Prefernces and deleted what I could of what I knew "what was what".  I would appreciate any help in getting my Mac back on track.  Thanks!- AmyProblem description:My Mac is running incredibly sluggish.  Chrome continues to lag, and the spinning ball is ridiculous when I am working in LR.  I did the EtreCheck and the report is below.  I JUST cleared out my LR catalogs and now have just two folders in the catalog from a current wedding I am working on.  I will have to consider using separate catalogs for my other genres or even smaller catalogs and just make a catalog for each client.  Thanks for looking this over!  I am so frustrated.AmyEtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)Report generated March 14, 2015 1:38:01 PM CDTDownload EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheckClick the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.Click the [Adware! - Remove] links for help removing adware.Hardware Information: ℹ️    iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac11,2    1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2-core    4 GB RAM         BANK 0/DIMM0            Empty           BANK 1/DIMM0            Empty           BANK 0/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM1            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless: UnknownVideo Information: ℹ️    ATI Radeon HD 5670 - VRAM: 512 MB        iMac 1920 x 1080System Software: ℹ️    OS X 10.8.5 (12F2501) - Time since boot: 3:36:47Disk Information: ℹ️    WDC WD1001FALS-40Y6A0 disk0 : (1 TB)        disk0s1 (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (177.87 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB     OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H  USB Information: ℹ️    Wacom Co.,Ltd. Bamboo Pad, wireless     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Apple Internal Memory Card Reader     Generic  External         2 TB        disk1s1 (disk1s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Archive 2TB (disk1s2) /Volumes/Archive 2TB : 2.00 TB (47.65 GB free)    Generic Mass Storage Device     Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub         Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard     Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver Configuration files: ℹ️    /etc/hosts - Count: 15Gatekeeper: ℹ️    Mac App Store and identified developersAdware: ℹ️    Conduit [Adware! - Remove]    Geneio [Adware! - Remove]Kernel Extensions: ℹ️        /System/Library/Extensions    [not loaded]    com.wacom.kext.pentablet (5.3.3 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [failed]    com.apple.coresymbolicationd.plist [Click for details]    [failed]    com.apple.wdhelper.plist [Click for details]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.conduit.loader.agent.plist  [Adware! - Remove]    [running]    com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist  [Adware! - Remove]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.wacom.pentablet.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [not loaded]    .plist (hidden) [Click for support]        /usr/local/libexec/TorchUpdater /usr/local/libexec/TorchUpdater --hello&#x3D;torch    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist  [Adware! - Remove]    [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]    [loaded]    com.skype.skypeinstaller.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.xrite.device.xrdd.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.Installer.completer.download.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.Installer.completer.ltvbit.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.Installer.completer.update.plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.mediafire.express.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]    [not loaded]    jp.co.canon.Inkjet_Extended_Survey_Agent.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    iTunesHelper    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Microsoft AU Daemon    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2    Application Hidden (/Library/Printers/Canon/IJScanner/Utilities/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2.app)    GrowlHelperApp    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    AdobeResourceSynchronizer    Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)    Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)    ColorMunkiDisplayTray    Application  (/Library/Application Support/Colormunki/Display/Tools/ColorMunkiDisplayTray.app)    Spotify    Application  (/Applications/Spotify.app)    apple-scc-20131227-135420    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.2 [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 75 Check version    Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]    WacomNetscape: Version: 2.1.0-1 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: UnknownSafari Extensions: ℹ️    TelevisionFanatic    Readability    Produtools_Manuals_213rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    Java  [Click for support]    PenTablet  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Skip System Files: NO    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off    Destinations:        Everything - 2TB [Local]         Total size: 0 B         Total number of backups: 0         Oldest backup: -         Last backup: -         Size of backup disk: Excellent            Backup size 0 B &gt; (Disk size 0 B X 3)    /sbin excluded from backup!    /usr excluded from backup!    /System excluded from backup!    /bin excluded from backup!    /private excluded from backup!    /Library excluded from backup!    /Applications excluded from backup!Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️         2%    activitymonitord         1%    WindowServer         1%    Activity Monitor         1%    Google Chrome         0%    ColorMunkiDisplayTrayTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    210 MB    mds    189 MB    Google Chrome    90 MB    Google Drive    90 MB    Google Chrome Helper    86 MB    Microsoft WordVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    1.52 GB    Free RAM    1.65 GB    Active RAM    480 MB    Inactive RAM    644 MB    Wired RAM    1.92 GB    Page-ins    16.91 GB    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Mar 14, 2015, 09:58:17 AM    Self test - passed    Mar 14, 2015, 09:53:54 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Drive_2015-03-14-095354_[redacted].crash    Mar 11, 2015, 02:33:04 PM    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome_2015-03-11-143304_[redacted].crash    Mar 14, 2015, 10:04:09 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify_2015-03-14-100409_[redacted].hang    Mar 14, 2015, 08:28:48 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PenTabletDriver_2015-03-14-082848_[redacted].cr ash    Mar 12, 2015, 12:56:47 PM    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ColorMunkiDisplayTray_2015-03- 12-125647_[redacted].crash

John Galt · Accepted Answer

Several problems exist.1. Back up your Mac prior to making any changes to its file system. Time Machine has not been configured properly To learn how to use Time Machine read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac - Apple Support.2.You inadvertently installed adware. You do not need to download or install anything to fix it.For a description of how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple&#x27;s recommended actions read How to install adware. Apple&#x27;s instructions are linked in the Recovery Procedure near the end of that document. Read and follow them carefully. Pay particular attention to the easily overlooked passages directing you to restart your Mac when required.3.That Mac&#x27;s Hosts file appears to have been modified. Fixing a modified Hosts file requires specific instructions. Apple Support Communities contributor and EtreCheck author etresoft recently added a User Tip discussing that concern, and how to correct it: Fixing a hacked /etc/hosts file

Eric Root · Answer

16.91 GB    Page-outsYou also might want to consider adding RAM. The 2 places I’ve seen recommended most to buy reliable RAM are below. I have purchased RAM several times from Other World Computing and have always been very satisfied with the product and service. They have on-line instructions on how to replace the RAM. OWC has also tested RAM above what Apple states is the maximum. I now have 6GB installed on a machine supposedly limited to 4 GB.CrucialOther World Computing

_amyrose_ · Answer

HI John... I had followed some advice you shared more than a month ago.  Long story short, I went to get RAM (iMac 21.5", mid-2010, running Mountain Lion, 2 of the 4 slots had 2GB each...the plan was to get 2 more 4GB RAM - 8GB RAM more, for a total of 12GB).  The tech asked lots of questions, suggested I bring it in for a diagnostic.  My HD was failing.  They did a brand new HD install, added the 8 GB of RAM, and because Apple has drawn the line in the sand, I had to upgrade to Yosemite.   . I brought it home yesterday and it randomly shut down put a note up that says there is an error, click a key or just wait for the reboot. And then there are several languages underneath this note,maying the same thing.  It did this 4 times last night.  I brought it back In today and the tech (a pc guy :-( couldn&#x27;t figure it out, thought it was my keyboard and mouse and loaned me one for the weekend.  Now, since 11am this morning, it has randomly shut down and restarted no less than a dozen times...I finally had to walk away and use my husband&#x27;

_amyrose_ · Answer

(cont&#x27;d) my husband&#x27;s old MacBook Pro that is near death itself.  I can&#x27;t even stay online long enough with my iMac to do a search... I am typing on my iMini to you.  I have to get a wedding edited and out the door to some clients and I have lost 4 days already plus,mall the time before when my iMac HD was in failing modem but I didn&#x27;t know what it was :-). Is there anything you know about this and is there something that can be done to fix this?  I am really bothered about this as time is going by and I am getting nothing done each day.  Thanks for your help!

Eric Root · Answer

Console post see first post by Linc DavisKernel Panic LogIf the log won’t post, try posting it here and provide a link in a reply       Pastebin

John Galt · Answer

_amyrose_, The PC tech may have introduced a new problem by installing RAM that isn&#x27;t compatible with your iMac. The only reliable vendors of Mac-compatible RAM are the two I mentioned, and Apple.Please post a new EtreCheck report so that we can see what has changed since last time. If you are unable to do that because your iMac won&#x27;t start or run long enough to do anything with it, you will have to remove the RAM installed by the PC tech and replace its original RAM (if it was removed).