sudden slow-down of my MacBook Pro

Question

Level 1

6 points

sudden slow-down of my MacBook Pro

I have experienced a recent significant slowdown on my MacBook Pro. Since it occurred soon after I finally got around to loading Yosemite, I was concerned that the new OS was a bit too much for the 5yr old laptop. I found an older (long!) thread that recommended etrecheck and post the results in a new discussion. I know there are some things I need to clean up too.

Problem description:

Sudden and significant unexplained slow-down of my MacBook Pro. I get a lot of spinning pinwheels just opening and closing applications.

EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 4/19/15, 9:28 PM

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.

Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.2 (14C1514) - Time since boot: 7:0:51

Disk Information: ℹ️

TOSHIBA MK5055GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (304.06 GB free)

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

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS23N

USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Library/Application Support/Hotspot Shield

[not loaded] com.anchorfree.tun (1.1.1 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

/Library/Application Support/Symantec/Protector

[not loaded] com.symantec.kext.protector.panther (1.0f5) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.symantec.kext.protector.tigerplus (1.0f5) [Click for support]

/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.sophos.kext.sav (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.sophos.nke.swi (9.2.50 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

/Library/StartupItems/SymAutoProtect

[not loaded] com.Symantec.kext.SAVAPComm (11.0.6) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Ralink.driver.RT2870USBWirelessDriver (4.2.0) [Click for support]

Startup Items: ℹ️

WiUtilityUSBStartUp: Path: /System/Library/StartupItems/WiUtilityUSBStartUp

NortonMissedTasks: Path: /Library/StartupItems/NortonMissedTasks

SMC: Path: /Library/StartupItems/SMC

SymAutoProtect: Path: /Library/StartupItems/SymAutoProtect

SymProtector: Path: /Library/StartupItems/SymProtector

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite

Launch Agents: ℹ️

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

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

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

[running] com.sophos.uiserver.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.symantec.quickmenu.application.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

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

[loaded] com.anchorfree.ajaxserver.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.app4mac.CheckUpAgent.plist [Click for support]

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

[running] com.fitbit.galileod.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]

[loaded] com.sharpcast.xfsmond.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist [Click for support]

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

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

[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@mac.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist [Click for details]

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

[not loaded] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper [Click for support]

User Login Items: ℹ️

iTunesHelper UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

Skype UNKNOWN (missing value)

Canon IJ Network Scan Utility Application (/Library/Printers/Canon/BJPrinter/Utilities/Canon IJ Network Scan Utility.app)

Hotspot Shield UNKNOWN (missing value)

CheckUpAlert Application (/Applications/CheckUp.app/Contents/Resources/CheckUpAlert.app)

SMARTReporter UNKNOWN (missing value)

AwakeHAWNU1UI UNKNOWN (missing value)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Hotspot Shield UNKNOWN (missing value)

Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper Application (/Applications/Fitbit Connect.app/Contents/MacOS/Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper.app)

SAVDiskMountNotify Application (/Library/Application Support/Symantec/AntiVirus/SAVDiskMountNotify.app)

ScanNotification Application (/Library/Application Support/Symantec/AntiVirus/ScanNotification.app)

SymSecondaryLaunch Application (/Library/Application Support/Norton Solutions Support/Scheduler/SymSecondaryLaunch.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.8 [Click for support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.134 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.134 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

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

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 9.5.5 [Click for support]

GarminGpsControl: Version: 2.9.2.0 Release [Click for support]

EPPEX Plugin: Version: 3.0.5.0 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 45 Check version

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Carbonite [Click for support]

Flash Player [Click for support]

Growl [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]

SymAutoProtect

Symantec\nQuickMenu [Click for support]

Trusteer Endpoint Protection [Click for support]

Time Machine: ℹ️

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

27% syncdefaultsd

12% WindowServer

10% mds

10% CarboniteDaemon

9% CheckUpAgent

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

613 MB kernel_task

0 B askpermissiond

0 B softwareupdated

0 B secinitd(2)

0 B coreservicesd

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

1.94 GB Free RAM

6.06 GB Used RAM

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Apr 19, 2015, 02:16:37 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/CheckUpAlert_2015-04-19-141637 _[redacted].crash

Apr 19, 2015, 02:07:48 PM Self test - passed

Apr 18, 2015, 04:56:44 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165644_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:52:24 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165224_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:26:09 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-162609_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:14:54 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-161454_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 12:21:59 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/LegacyFileVaultMessageTracer_2015-04-18-002159_ [redacted].crash

Apr 19, 2015, 02:14:04 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Canon IJ Network Scan Utility_2015-04-19-141404_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:59:32 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165932_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:59:12 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165912_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:55:37 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165537_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:52:55 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-165255_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:39:38 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-163938_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:37:21 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-163721_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:27:12 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-162712_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:26:08 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-162608_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:23:41 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-162341_[redacted].crash

Apr 18, 2015, 04:09:27 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_20 15-04-18-160927_[redacted].crash

Apr 17, 2015, 09:29:17 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Safari_2015-04-17-092917_[redacted].hang

Posted on Apr 19, 2015 10:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

146,378 points

Apr 19, 2015 11:08 PM in response to mdpiorkowski

Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to use Time Machine read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac - Apple Support.
Update OS X. Version 10.10.3 is the current release. To learn how to update OS X read Update OS X and App Store apps on your Mac - Apple Support.
Remove the following garbage from your Mac.

"MacKeeper"
"Sophos"
"Symantec / Norton"
"Trusteer Rapport"

Your Mac cannot operate properly with those products installed.

One or more of the following support documents may be applicable:

Uninstall Norton Internet Security for Mac

Removing Symantec programs for Macintosh by using the RemoveSymantecMacFiles removal utility

RemoveSymantecMacFiles

http://www.trusteer.com/support/uninstalling-rapport-mac-os-x

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/120838.aspx

Verify their complete and permanent eradication from your Mac. Don't use any other techniques to get rid of them.

"Carbonate" is known to run poorly on Macs.

"App4Mac" is outdated and obsolete.

Other problems may be present.

You need to become much more circumspect regarding the software you choose to install. I apologize if that comes across as blunt, but you appear to have been exerting quite some effort in an attempt to prevent your Mac from working the way it's supposed to work.

Reply

Answer 2

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,227 points

Apr 19, 2015 11:15 PM in response to mdpiorkowski

You certainly have a mess here.

Uninstall the following in accordance with the developer's instructions:

- Symantec (Norton)

- Sophos

- Truster Rapport

- MacKeeper

- All the software shown in "Startup Items" since they don't work any more

- CheckUp (now xScan)

Update OS X to 10.10.3

Update Flash Player to 17.0.0.169

I suspect you have many other 3rd party apps that require updates to make them Yosemite compatible.

Open System Preferences->Users & Groups->Login Items tab and delete all the entries with a yellow triangle in front of them (listed as "missing value" in your EtreCheck).

Carbonite causes issues for some users.

You are missing some information about your Mac Model and RAM for some reason, so I can't judge it's age or capacity. Hard drives fail at about the three year point and all do eventually, so since you aren't using TimeMachine you need to have a backup strategy in addition to Carbonite.

Reply

Answer 3

seventy one

Level 7

27,442 points

Apr 20, 2015 8:44 AM in response to mdpiorkowski

Yes, the link does get read but by nowhere near as many people as you might imagine. And Bingo. You have two replies from highly regarded contributors so my suggestion was not in vain. Moreover, I cannot add to the excellent responses either.

Reply

Answer 4

D.Cohen

Level 6

8,612 points

Apr 20, 2015 9:02 AM in response to mdpiorkowski

To improve the performance, try restarting your Mac in Safe mode:

- Shut down your Mac

- Wait until your computer turns off and after that press the Power button

- Right after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key

- Release the Shift key when you see a grey Apple sign and the progress bar below this sign

- Once you see Desktop, start a Disc Utility scan to detect and repair file system errors (don't forget to choose your main hard drive)

- Click on Verify Disc and then, if asked to fix problems, on Repair Disk

- After this, click on Verify Disc Permissions and then on Repair Disc Permissions

- After the process is finished, shut down your Mac and turn it back on after about 30 seconds

Hope this helps!

Reply

Answer 5

May 18, 2015 8:28 AM in response to mdpiorkowski

I was fighting this problem for a couple of months and narrowed it down (with help from here) to Dropbox. Unload Dropbox and see if that helps. I have not had the pinwheel once since doing so. I'll reload dropbox at night to sync the days files and then unload it again.

-Ray

Reply

Answer 6

mdpiorkowski Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 9, 2015 9:28 AM in response to mdpiorkowski

Thanks everyone for helping. After taking into consideration and completing all of the recommendations (plus some extras like removing programs I no longer use), I was still not able to make much headway. The laptop was still quite slow. While talking to a friend of mine and describing my problem, he figured since my laptop was five years old and I had never replaced the hard drive, he recommended that (as one of your answers also implied). I replaced the hard drive and then set it up like a new computer (i.e., I didn't clone the old drive and OS onto the new one) and it's been running great ever since. As it was, I learned quite a bit about how to take care of my system better, and now I'm looking at doing the same for my other laptop and my Mini.

Reply