Why is my computer suddenly going so slow?

Question

Why is my computer suddenly going so slow?

Problem description:

My Macbook Pro has been going very slow for the past few days. It does not seem to be a CPU or memory problem, considering Activity Monitor has been reporting normal levels of usage. It does not seem to be an issue of hard drive space, either, considering I have a 250 GB hard drive and 111 GB of free space (I had 86 GB of free space when the problems started a few days ago, but I deleted a lot of stuff hoping it would help, and it hasn’t). I’m thinking that my hard drive might be failing, and the fact that the hard drive in my mom’s Macbook Pro (both of ours are 5 years old) just failed too is certainly not helping here.

To give an example of how slow my computer has been, it took over 30 seconds for it to respond and for the spinning rainbow ball to disappear before registering me pressing the “Enter” key twice, followed by the “T” to start this sentence. It also took over 75 seconds for for it to respond and for the spinning rainbow ball to disappear when I tried to correct a spelling mistake with the word “disappear” in the sentence previous to this one. These are the less severe cases. There have been some cases in the past few days where such simple tasks have taken several MINUTES to perform, and it has left my computer borderline unusable.

EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 7/12/15, 1:18 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.

The following internal tasks failed to complete:

/usr/bin/find /Library/Application Support -iname *.kext

Hardware Information: ℹ️

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1

1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Battery: Health = Check Battery - Cycle count = 994 - SN = W00295473D3BA

Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.4 (14E46) - Time since boot: 7:38:6

Disk Information: ℹ️

Hitachi HTS545025B9SA02 disk0 : (250.06 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 215.20 GB (111.14 GB free) - 578 errors

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

BOOTCAMP (disk0s4) <not mounted> : 34.00 GB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898 disk1 : (8.37 GB)

disk1s1 (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 31 KB

disk1s2 (disk1s2) <not mounted> : 935 MB

Mac OS X Install DVD (disk1s3) /Volumes/Mac OS X Install DVD : 7.44 GB (162 MB free)

USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Logitech USB Receiver

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Configuration files: ℹ️

/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Applications/AVG AntiVirus.app

[loaded] com.avg.Antivirus.OnAccess.kext (2015.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]

/Library/Extensions

[loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.1.23) [Click for support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.1.23) [Click for support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.1.23) [Click for support]

[loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.1.23) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.LivestreamProcaster.driver.ProcasterAudioRedirector (2.0.0 - SDK 10.0) [Click for support]

Launch Agents: ℹ️

[running] com.avg.Antivirus.gui.plist [Click for support]

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

[unknown] ~ [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

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

[running] com.avg.Antivirus.infosd.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.avg.Antivirus.services.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]

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

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

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Click for support]

User Login Items: ℹ️

Caffeine Application (/Applications/Caffeine.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

DirectorShockwave: Version: 12.1.5r155 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 [Click for support]

Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 3.5.5f4 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.203 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 2.2 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.203 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.4 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 45 Check version

User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Click for support]

Safari Extensions: ℹ️

DivX Plus Web Player HTML5 <video>

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

DivX [Click for support]

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

Growl [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]

Tuxera NTFS [Click for support]

Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 215.20 GB Disk used: 104.06 GB

Destinations:

Time Machine Backups [Local]

Total size: 499.76 GB

Total number of backups: 1

Oldest backup: 2015-04-17 17:01:20 +0000

Last backup: 2015-04-17 17:01:20 +0000

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 499.76 GB > (Disk used 104.06 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

17% systemstatsd

16% WindowServer

7% Activity Monitor

4% launchd

2% avgd

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

454 MB kernel_task

197 MB softwareupdated

180 MB avgd

180 MB avggmsd

98 MB mds_stores

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

881 MB Free RAM

3.14 GB Used RAM

53 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Jul 12, 2015, 05:24:52 AM Self test - passed

Jul 12, 2015, 03:15:07 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/wxmaxima_2015-07-12-031507_[redacted].hang

Jul 10, 2015, 04:04:39 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Finder_2015-07-10-160439_[redacted].hang

Jul 10, 2015, 05:18:47 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mds_stores_2015-07-10-051847_[redacted].crash

Jul 10, 2015, 05:17:41 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mds_stores_2015-07-10-051741_[redacted].crash

OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 12, 2015 11:18 AM

Reply

Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Jul 12, 2015 12:21 PM in response to AspiringMaverick

Remove AVG anti-virus.

http://www.avg.com/us-en/faq.num-5518

Backup your Mac as soon as possible.

Macintosh HD is having serious problems.

You may have to replace it.

Reply

Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 12, 2015 3:43 PM in response to AspiringMaverick

There was no need for "etrecheck" to determine that the startup drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.

Back up all data on the drive immediately if you don't already have a current backup. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

Reply

Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jul 12, 2015 4:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis wrote:

There was no need for "etrecheck" to determine that the startup drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.

The Etrecheck report picked up HDD issues as well as the unnecessary anti virus application installed. I fail to understand the necessity of your comment regarding the Etrecheck report? Please explain.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 12, 2015 5:15 PM in response to dominic23

Why remove AVG antivirus? There shouldn't be anything wrong with that, and it should be irrelevant to my hard drive problem.

Reply

Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 12, 2015 5:19 PM in response to AspiringMaverick

All so-called "anti-virus" software is worse than useless, but that's irrelevant to the problem you're asking about. You should not change anything at all until you have backed up and the hardware fault has been corrected.

Reply

Answer 6

Jul 12, 2015 5:26 PM in response to Linc Davis

I already backed up my data to external hard drives and a USB flash drive. I'd also rather not go see a "Genius" at an Apple store, nor do I even know where an Apple store is around here (nor do I care). I don't mean to be rude, but I don't particularly care for Macs, and I'm not going to go to some store full of overpriced Apple merchandise and pay someone to fix something that I can most likely fix without their help. The only reason I have this one is that my dad bought it for me 5 years ago for Christmas (he was going through an Apple obsession phase, and he bought them for everyone in the family), and it was technically better than my $250 Asus netbook that was a couple years old at the time. I'd much rather just do what I can to keep this thing running until I can get a new desktop gaming PC. If that means getting a new hard drive to replace the one I have, then so be it. In fact, that's an easy fix. But for now, because I got tired of putting up with this thing and wanted to try something, I wiped my hard drive and reinstalled Mac OS X. I've finished updating it, and will not be "upgrading" to OS X Mavericks or Yosemite unless I absolutely have to (that's when my computer initially started slowing down, though it wasn't severe, at the time). After a fresh re-installation, my computer seems to be running like it's brand new again. Maybe that's all it needed. Maybe my hard drive is still ok. I can run Etrecheck again to find out, but so far I'm just happy that it's at least working.

Reply

Answer 7

Jul 12, 2015 5:40 PM in response to Linc Davis

I don't see how antivirus is "worse than useless". I know viruses are rare on Macs, but they still do exist and I believe that having AVG is better than not having it. Also, please see my other response.

Reply

Answer 8

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jul 12, 2015 5:41 PM in response to AspiringMaverick

Just be advised that an appointment at an Apple store genius bar is for free regardless of warranty status They have forensic tools that can often detect problems that are simply not available to others. I would urge you to keep that in mind if the situation warrants a visit.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 9

Jul 12, 2015 5:48 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Well, thank you. I didn't know that. Considering how much their products cost, I would have expected to have to pay to have my computer looked at. However, I'm still going to try to avoid doing that if I can help it. I may also try upgrading to a SSHD and to some better RAM.

Reply

Answer 10

petermac87

Level 5

7,453 points

Jul 12, 2015 5:48 PM in response to AspiringMaverick

AspiringMaverick wrote:

I already backed up my data to external hard drives and a USB flash drive. I'd also rather not go see a "Genius" at an Apple store, nor do I even know where an Apple store is around here (nor do I care). I don't mean to be rude, but I don't particularly care for Macs, and I'm not going to go to some store full of overpriced Apple merchandise and pay someone to fix something that I can most likely fix without their help. The only reason I have this one is that my dad bought it for me 5 years ago for Christmas (he was going through an Apple obsession phase, and he bought them for everyone in the family), and it was technically better than my $250 Asus netbook that was a couple years old at the time. I'd much rather just do what I can to keep this thing running until I can get a new desktop gaming PC. If that means getting a new hard drive to replace the one I have, then so be it. In fact, that's an easy fix. But for now, because I got tired of putting up with this thing and wanted to try something, I wiped my hard drive and reinstalled Mac OS X. I've finished updating it, and will not be "upgrading" to OS X Mavericks or Yosemite unless I absolutely have to (that's when my computer initially started slowing down, though it wasn't severe, at the time). After a fresh re-installation, my computer seems to be running like it's brand new again. Maybe that's all it needed. Maybe my hard drive is still ok. I can run Etrecheck again to find out, but so far I'm just happy that it's at least working.

Good luck with that. Perhaps you should sell the Mac if you don't care for Apple? You can then purchase a very good Windows computer, where you WILL never Anti-Virus, as viruses DO exist for Windows, not like Apple, where there are none.

You can post a fresh etrecheck report if you wish. But once a HardDrive begins showing such issues, then it is most probably ready to fail in the near future.

Good Luck

Pete

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