Macbook Air screen glitchy?

Please post the output from EtreCheck

<https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6174>

It is possible there is a bit of 3rd party software that is affecting performance. EtreCheck will most likely list it if it is there.

It is also possible you have picked up some Adware. You could try MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (formally AdwareMedic)

<https://www.malwarebytes.org/>

morganoctober wrote:

i've heard some bad reviews on etracheck. (http://www.needhelp4mac.com/2014/06/beware-of-adware-included-in-installers/)

EtreCheck is a good program, and will not install adware. That link illustrates a problem with downloading from Download.com, not a problem with EtreCheck. Downoad EtreCheck from its official site here:

http://etrecheck.com

You won't have any problems with it if you download it from there.

Posting EtreCheck results will give folks some concrete information that will be helpful in diagnosing your problem.

So you think its probably a 3rd party bug.

I said it was possible. And frequently for people posting performance issues to the forum, it "is" caused by 3rd party software. Either intentionally installed (anti-malware, Mac cleaners, memory cleaners, ...), or accidentally installed software through deceit on the part of the software.

well, im kind of reluctant on downloading anti malware.

EtreCheck is just a tool that displays your system configuration, and 3rd party additions. It automatically filters out personal information ("Redacted"). You can then review it and then your get to copy and paste it into a reply to these forums. If you search the forum for "EtreCheck" you will find thousands of reports previously posted. EtreCheck makes not changes to your system, and does not run in the background. It is very helpful tools.

If you still do not trust EtreCheck, then following the advice from Linc Davis in this thread: <Slow MacBook Pro>. It does not require any 3rd party software

As for MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (formally AdwareMedic), which was written by thomas_r. a long term contributor to the forum, you can find many many posts where AdwareMedic was used, and even more posts where thomas_r. has aided Mac users in this forum. AdwareMedic also does not install anything on your Mac, it does not run in the background. It runs ONLY when you run it, and then it is finished.

The nice thing about AdwareMedic is that is knows what to look for. But if you do not trust AdwareMedic, then if you do identify Adware on your system, and you have a name, you can most likely Google search for manual instructions on removing that as well. Depending on the adware, Linc Davis has often posted manual removal instructions.

But as it stands now, we have very little information to make guesses with.

Another approach is to make a free Apple Genius Bar appointment to have your Macbook Air evaluated. If there is a hardware repair necessary, they will inform you of any costs before doing anything else. You should backup your Macbook Air before going to the Apple Store.

I don't see anything likely to cause these kinds of problems. The Seagate software is something you probably ought to get rid of, but it seems rather unlikely that it would be causing this kind of issue.

I'm afraid you may be looking at the possibility of a hardware issue. You contact Apple, and see if you can take it to your nearest Apple Store for testing.

Generally a USB attached external disk does not need additional software. If you still have the Seagate driver installer, you can always re-install the drivers if you find you have problems accessing the external drive.

EtreCheck calls out

Searchme Adware! [Click to remove]

as Adware, but since thomas_r. did not jump up and down about it, I'm assuming it is not a serious resource hog. And if anyone would know, it would be thomas_r. 😀

I think I agree with thomas_r., that you need to make an Apple Genius Bar appointment (assuming you have an Apple Store near by). Otherwise an Apple Authorized Service dealer, or call Apple support (although taking to them on the phone may cost something up front, where as the Genius Bar evaluation is free).

morganoctober wrote:

the seagate software is for the external hard drive where my backup of my computer is via TimeMachine. If i got rid of that would it still read my External Hard Drive?

Yes, it should still work fine. You don't need the software that comes with your drive in order to use it, and in fact, it's a good idea not to use it at all. Using that software has the potential to cause problems, even including data loss, as happened recently with some Western Digital software following an OS X update.

BobHarris wrote:

EtreCheck calls out

Searchme Adware! [Click to remove]

as Adware, but since thomas_r. did not jump up and down about it, I'm assuming it is not a serious resource hog. And if anyone would know, it would be thomas_r. 😀

Lol, I didn't even notice that. I wasn't paying attention to Safari extensions, though, since those wouldn't cause the kind of problems reported. That should definitely be removed, of course, which can easily be done in this case by simply going to the Extensions pane in Safari's preferences window and deleting that Searchme extension.

well, im kind of reluctant on downloading anti malware.

So you should be.

The only tools that anyone needs to detect and remove adware are the Finder and a web browser, both of which you already have. Anyone who has enough computer skill to install adware can just as well remove it without using anything else.

Apple doesn't endorse any third-party "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product. Here and here are its general statements about malware protection, and here are its instructions for removing the most common types of ad-injection malware. None of those support pages mentions anti-malware products. An Apple employee who recommends such a product is speaking only for himself or herself, not for the company. See this thread for an example of what the results can be.

You become infected with malware by downloading unknown software without doing research to determine whether it's safe. If you keep making that mistake, the same, and worse, will keep happening, and no anti-malware will rescue you. Your own intelligence and caution are the only reliable defense.

As a Mac user myself, I'm concerned about attempts by the Windows/Android anti-malware industry to move in on our platform and persuade us that we must depend on its black-box products to be safe. The truth is that relying on such products makes us less safe from malware attack, not more, because anti-malware can't possibly defend against every threat, and if we have a false sense of security, we may take risks from which it doesn't protect us.

The Windows and Android anti-malware industry had more than $75 billion in aggregate sales in 2014 [source: Gartner, Inc.]. The marketing strategy of that industry is to make its prospective customers feel that they're defenseless against malware attack unless they use its products. But with all that anti-malware, the Windows and Android platforms are still infested with malware—most of it far more dangerous than mere adware. The same thing can be expected to happen to the Mac platform if its users depend on the same industry to protect them, instead of protecting themselves.

<Edited By Host>

Edit: never mind, the hosts took care of it.

The following discussion pertains directly to the "malwarebytes" product:

Re: Safari 8.0.7: How do I fix Safari after downloading AdwareMedic/Malwarebytes Anti-Adware?

Linc, that is one single unsubstantiated report, and I'll point out that I am working with that individual privately. I'm sure the matter will be resolved, and that it will turn out the problem was actually not related to AdwareMedic.

Should I turn around and post a selection of the thousands of posts I've seen this year from folks who have had their problems solved by AdwareMedic? No, probably not... the moderators have not appreciated your attempts to do the opposite, so I don't think I'll do that.