Too much inactive memory, not enough ram

Question

Level 1

8 points

Too much inactive memory, not enough ram

Hi!

I've been going through some threads where people complain about too much inactive memory but I have yet to understand what exactly I can do to free up this memory. I have 16 GB of ram of which 11+ GB are used for inactive memory and now I can't even open a simple picture in photoshop because I get a "not enough ram" warning.

My computer is 5 years old and I haven't done anything to it in that time (not really a computer wizard...) so it's probably clogged up with years of, well, stuff. Any general maintenance tips would also be greatly appreciated! 😉

I made this etrecheck report and would be super happy if someone had the time/know-how to tell me what I could do.

Thank you up front!

Caro

Problem description:

11.26 GB inactive memory out of 16 GB total... can’t even open a picture in photoshop because I’m out of RAM. Please help!

EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)

Report generated March 30, 2015 1:20:59 PM GMT+03:00

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 (Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)

Mac Pro - model: MacPro5,1

2 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon CPU: 8-core

16 GB RAM

DIMM 1

8 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 2

Empty

DIMM 3

Empty

DIMM 4

Empty

DIMM 5

8 GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz ok

DIMM 6

Empty

DIMM 7

Empty

DIMM 8

Empty

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

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

Video Information: ℹ️

ATI Radeon HD 5770 - VRAM: 1024 MB

CG222W 1680 x 1050

spdisplays_display_connector

System Software: ℹ️

Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Time since boot: 3:53:44

Disk Information: ℹ️

HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N

WDC WD1001FALS-41Y6A0 disk1 : (931.51 GB)

- (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk1s2) / : 999.86 GB (131.40 GB free)

WDC WD1001FALS-41Y6A0 disk0 : (931.51 GB)

- (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD 2 (disk0s2) /Volumes/Macintosh HD 2 : 999.86 GB (422.73 GB free)

USB Information: ℹ️

Western Digital My Book 1230 3.64 TB

CARO 4TB (disk2s1) /Volumes/CARO 4TB : 4.00 TB (3.31 TB free)

HUAWEI Technology HUAWEI Mobile

Wacom Co.,Ltd. Intuos5 touch M

Genesys USB3 Reader 7.47 GB

EOS_DIGITAL (disk4s1) /Volumes/EOS_DIGITAL : 8.02 GB (4.11 GB free)

Canon Canon CAPT USB Device

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Logitech USB Receiver

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.huawei.driver.HuaweiDataCardDriver (4.25.45) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (6.3.4 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions/HuaweiDataCardDriver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[loaded] com.huawei.driver.cdc_acm (2.6.2f17) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.huawei.driver.cdc_ncm (2.7.2f16) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.huawei.driver.cdc_usb_bus (1.0.3) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.huawei.driver.dc_net (1.0.2) [Click for support]

Startup Items: ℹ️

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

HWNetMgr: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HWNetMgr

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite

Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

[running] .SM.gul.org.thebends.iphonedisk.mobile_fs_util.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/iphonedisk/mobile_fs_util /Library/iphonedisk/mobile_fs_util iPhoneDisk /Library/iphonedisk/iPhoneDisk.icns com.apple.afc

[running] org.thebends.iphonedisk.mobile_fs_util.plist [Click for support]

Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[failed] com.apple.netauth.sysagent.plist

[not loaded] org.samba.winbindd.plist [Click for support]

Launch Agents: ℹ️

[not loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility -mode=logon

[loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CS5ServiceManager/CS5ServiceManager.app/Contents/MacOS/CS5Service Manager /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CS5ServiceManager/CS5ServiceManager.app/Contents/MacOS/CS5Service Manager -launchedbylogin

[running] .SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard /Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist [Click for support]

[running] HWPortCfg.plist [Click for support]

[running] jp.co.canon.CUPSCAPT.BG.plist [Click for support]

[failed] ouc.plist [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[not loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/SwitchBoard/SwitchBoard.app/Contents/MacOS/launch.switchboard /Library/Application Support/Adobe/SwitchBoard/SwitchBoard.app/Contents/MacOS/launch.switchboard

[loaded] .SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

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

[not loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Click for support]

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

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

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

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

[loaded] com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist [Click for support]

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

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]

User Login Items: ℹ️

WDDriveUtilityHelper Application Hidden (/Applications/WD Drive Utilities.app/Contents/WDDriveUtilityHelper.app)

HP Scheduler Application Hidden (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

WacomNetscape: Version: 2.1.0-1 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 [Click for support]

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.1.4 [Click for support]

WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.2 [Click for support]

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

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

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 9.3.0 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version

Safari Extensions: ℹ️

DivX Plus Web Player HTML5 <video>

Audio Plug-ins: ℹ️

iSightAudio: Version: 7.6.6

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

DivX [Click for support]

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

Growl [Click for support]

MacFUSE [Click for support]

WacomTablet [Click for support]

Time Machine: ℹ️

Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

6% Spotify

2% WindowServer

2% mobilepartner

2% Google Chrome

1% activitymonitord

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

790 MB Adobe Bridge CS5

567 MB Adobe Photoshop CS5

155 MB Google Chrome

137 MB WindowServer

137 MB Software Update

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

559 MB Free RAM

3.22 GB Active RAM

12.14 GB Inactive RAM

1.24 GB Wired RAM

1.24 GB Page-ins

31 MB Page-outs

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Mar 30, 2015, 09:25:58 AM Self test - passed

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 30, 2015 3:48 AM

Reply

Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 30, 2015 3:57 AM in response to Caro K

Mac OSX is designed to use all, or almost memory that is available. Memory that is not actively used is used to cached things that you may use in the future.

I would also remove CleanMyMac since it really causes more problems than it solves

Re: CleanMyMAc Removal

Reply

Answer 2

Caro K Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 30, 2015 4:16 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for your quick response!

Isn't there a design flaw here if keeping over 11 GB stuff in inactive memory prevents me from using the program I am actively using. Is there a way to trash the inactive memory?

😀

And yeah, clean my mac was quick crap. Tried getting rid of it but it just likes to stick around... will try the tip from the link. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 30, 2015 4:26 AM in response to Caro K

No. When memory is required cached memory is purged and that memory is used for apps that require active memory.

If you open Activity Monitor and go to the memory tab what does that show in the lower part?

Reply

Answer 4

Caro K Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 30, 2015 4:37 AM in response to lllaass

At the moment that I got the warning I was out of ram and could no longer use photoshop, I only had 57 mb free ram (out of 16 gb).

This is what it said when I did the report:

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

559 MB Free RAM

3.22 GB Active RAM

12.14 GB Inactive RAM

1.24 GB Wired RAM

1.24 GB Page-ins

31 MB Page-outs

But now I turned cleanmy mac on itself and that freed up over 6 gb of inactive ram! So great! Photoshop works again... for a while atleast.

Thanks for your help, this was a good quick fix! Just have to find out what else is using up so much inactive memory. 😀

Reply

Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 30, 2015 5:11 AM in response to Caro K

You still have SL. That does not have as god as memory management as later OSX versions.

Have you removed CleanMyMac and rebooted?

Reply

Answer 6

etresoft

Level 8

46,122 points

Mar 30, 2015 5:49 AM in response to Caro K

I would advise erasing and reinstalling the OS. You have some very unusual stuff there. I have highlighted the items below that I have never been before. Anytime I see hidden files I get suspicious. That is why I added the logic to EtreCheck to report what it finds in these hidden files. Something is really fishy here.

Caro K wrote:

Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️

[running] .SM.gul.org.thebends.iphonedisk.mobile_fs_util.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/iphonedisk/mobile_fs_util /Library/iphonedisk/mobile_fs_util iPhoneDisk /Library/iphonedisk/iPhoneDisk.icns com.apple.afc

[running] org.thebends.iphonedisk.mobile_fs_util.plist [Click for support]

Launch Agents: ℹ️

[not loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/PDApp/UWA/UpdaterStartupUtility -mode=logon

[loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CS5ServiceManager/CS5ServiceManager.app/Contents/MacOS/CS5Service Manager /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CS5ServiceManager/CS5ServiceManager.app/Contents/MacOS/CS5Service Manager -launchedbylogin

[running] .SM.gul.com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard /Library/Application Support/Tablet/WacomTabletSpringboard

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[not loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/SwitchBoard/SwitchBoard.app/Contents/MacOS/launch.switchboard /Library/Application Support/Adobe/SwitchBoard/SwitchBoard.app/Contents/MacOS/launch.switchboard

[loaded] .SM.gul.com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (hidden) [Click for support]

/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

Reply

Answer 7

Caro K Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 30, 2015 6:18 AM in response to etresoft

Yikes! That doesn't sound good!

Erasing and reinstalling is not an option right at this moment cause I'm on a deadline for a huge project and putting everything in it's place again will take too much time right now. In about a month I will be finished and then I can try that. But till then I guess I'll just have to live with it. 🙂

That's scary though, that there's stuff on here you've never seen before... makes me worry.

Thanks a big bunch to the both of you for your time!

(Yes Illaass, I removed clean my mac and it freed up about half the inactive memory)

Reply

Answer 8

etresoft

Level 8

46,122 points

Mar 30, 2015 7:02 AM in response to Caro K

It looks like there is no (or not much) need to worry. I did a little research and those files are the result of a failed run of Migration Assistant: https://gist.github.com/vyyral/1561453

Still, it is not something you want to keep. You definitely do need an erase and reinstall. Obviously you will not be able to use Migration Assistant or your Time Machine backup either. That's too bad. When you have more time available, start a new thread, include a link to this one, and ask for suggestions. It is not a difficult process but it is tedious.

Reply

Answer 9

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Mar 30, 2015 7:20 AM in response to Caro K

Split your boot drive in two: an SSD for the system, and another drive for data.

To my mind, what you have is 1TB with only 135GB free, and yes that is less than 15% and low.

The ideal would be Apple/Samsung PCIe-SSD using a cheap "controller-less" adapter and one of your PCIe slots.

512 GB Apple Samsung SSD MZ JPV512R 0A2 for MacBook Air Early 2014 | eBay

CLONE your system! it is easy and fast and can run in the background, which for now you are unable to be productive so just cloning would help,.

http://www.bombich.com - version 4 is new GUI but does not support Snow Leopard while 3.7 does and is free to use.

The ability to update a backup of the system in minutes just copying the changes is great and good preventative maintenance.

You can also set the program to look for and check each file copied for integrity checksum.

A 2TB drive for data (or even larger) would be wise.

Then pull your 1TB drive as your safety net and backup.

CCC makes it easy to copy just the system and just the essential home account library folder and not whatever else in files documents and media files and libraries are taking up space.

You have 2x8GB. Adobe app would say 24-32GB and that way improve performance and memory by having two on each bank. There is no advantage having memory on two banks as it is now.

Reply