I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 that began taking a minute to startup after upgraded to Yosemite awhile back. After T/C w Apple Support, just successfully upgraded from 4 gb to 16 gb memory. Yet the startup is still slow. Next?

Question

Level 1

4 points

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 that began taking a minute to startup after upgraded to Yosemite awhile back. After T/C w Apple Support, just successfully upgraded from 4 gb to 16 gb memory. Yet the startup is still slow. Next?

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 that began taking a minute to startup after upgraded to Yosemite awhile back. After T/C w Apple Support, followed their suggestion and just successfully upgraded from 4 gb to 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory. Backup successfully restored from Iomega external drive using Time Machine. Yet the startup is still slow. Next?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Aug 29, 2015 8:56 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 4:21 AM in response to Spitfire1

Adding RAM is not a solution for speeding up a MBP unless that is actually the reason for slow performance. It rarely is.

Download and post an Etrecheck report:

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 7:36 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

The Etrecheck report is below.

In the interim, I was able to shave off 20 seconds or so from the startup time by doing a few cleanup tips particularly stopping Flash

Problem description:

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 that began taking a minute to startup after upgraded to Yosemite awhile back. After T/C w Apple Support, just successfully upgraded from 4 gb to 16 gb memory. Yet the startup is still slow. Next?

EtreCheck version: 2.4.1 (137)

Report generated 8/30/15, 10:29 AM

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: (What does this mean?)

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) (Technical Specifications)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core

16 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 3 - SN = W01107AW7D3BA

Video Information: (What does this mean?)

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: (What does this mean?)

OS X 10.10.4 (14E46) - Time since boot: about 9 hours

Disk Information: (What does this mean?)

APPLE HDD HTS545050A7E362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (379.93 GB free)

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

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898 ()

USB Information: (What does this mean?)

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Thunderbolt Information: (What does this mean?)

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: (What does this mean?)

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: (What does this mean?)

/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (10.1.3 28868 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (10.1.3 28868 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (10.1.3 28868 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (10.1.3 28868 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

Launch Agents: (What does this mean?)

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: (What does this mean?)

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist [Click for support]

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

[running] com.iobit.AMCDaemon.plist [Click for support]

User Launch Agents: (What does this mean?)

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

[running] com.iobit.MacBoosterMini.plist [Click for support]

User Login Items: (What does this mean?)

Garmin Express Service Application (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

apple-scc-20150804-180457 UNKNOWN (missing value)

Internet Plug-ins: (What does this mean?)

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.232 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 15.008.20082 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 15.008.20082 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.232 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.8.2 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.1 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 60 Check version

User internet Plug-ins: (What does this mean?)

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]

Safari Extensions: (What does this mean?)

Open in Internet Explorer

3rd Party Preference Panes: (What does this mean?)

Flash Player [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]

Time Machine: (What does this mean?)

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Destinations:

Iomega HDD [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 0

Oldest backup: -

Last backup: -

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk size 0 B X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: (What does this mean?)

8% mdworker(8)

3% launchd

1% fontd

0% taskgated

0% com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)

Top Processes by Memory: (What does this mean?)

767 MB kernel_task

705 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)

115 MB mdworker(8)

98 MB Dropbox

98 MB Safari

Virtual Memory Information: (What does this mean?)

11.00 GB Free RAM

5.22 GB Used RAM (2.44 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: (What does this mean?)

Aug 30, 2015, 12:41:48 AM Self test - passed

Aug 29, 2015, 11:29:33 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Dropbox_2015-08-29-232933_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Click for details]

was sucking 40+5 cpu. Startup is now at app. 40 seconds.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,465 points

Aug 30, 2015 7:44 AM in response to Spitfire1

When you say startup time, you mean boot time from powered off? That's not unusual with a mechanical hard drive. Once booted, it should be fairly snappy with 16GB of RAM.

The question in my mind would be, why are you shutting it down to begin with? It should last for weeks in standby without the need to shut down.

I see the same kind of relatively slow boot times on my 2011 iMac with a 500 GB mechanical hard drive. It can't hold a candle to my MBA with an SSD as far as that goes, but once booted, it runs nicely. I almost never actually shut it down or re-boot. Just put it to sleep.

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Answer 4

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 7:50 AM in response to KiltedTim

By Startup time, I mean starting the stop watch from when you hear the "music". That is now app. 40 seconds. Quitting Flash Player cut app. 20 seconds off the startup time; it was sucking 40% CPU.

Left the EtreCheck report on the discussion forum if you have any further suggestions. Many thanks.

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 7:53 AM in response to Spitfire1

A 40 second boot time with a conventional HDD is not excessive.

The only element that I find potentially problematic from the Etrechek report is 'iobit'. What exactly is it and do you feel that you need it?

Just as a 'maintenance' measure, reset the SMC and NVRAM:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

Then try a safe boot:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

You MIGHT find a slight improvement.

Ciao.

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Answer 6

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 7:57 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

iobit is developer of MacBooster 3 a malware/virus scanner for Mac.

Should I uninstall it?

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Answer 7

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:07 AM in response to Spitfire1

Also, I have Parallels Windows for Mac and Windows which I had needed for my job before I retired a year ago. Would installing these speed up startup significantly?

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Answer 8

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:08 AM in response to Spitfire1

To date Macs have not incurred any virus' but malware is a threat. My position is that anti-virus and anti-malware software should only be employed if there is reason to believe that some affliction is evident. It MAY be contributing to slowing your MBP down as many of these applications will. I suggest that you do delete it.

Probably the best source to read regarding threats to your Mac and how to deal with them is the following:

http://www.thesafemac.com/

I have a very high regard for the authors (Thomas Reed) expertise and competence in this area.

Ciao.

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Answer 9

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:13 AM in response to Spitfire1

Spitfire1 wrote:

Also, I have Parallels Windows for Mac and Windows which I had needed for my job before I retired a year ago. Would installing these speed up startup significantly?

With 16 GB RAM, that should not be necessary.

If you are looking to dramatically speed up your MBP, install an SSD. They still will hurt the bank account a touch but you boot times will be reduced by over 50%. I recommend SSDs from OWC and Crucial. Avoid Samsung at present due to very mixed results.

Ciao.

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Answer 10

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:18 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Would you recommend 256 or 512 GB SSD?

Again, many thanks.

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Answer 11

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:26 AM in response to Spitfire1

I have an aphorism, 'one can never have too much storage'. I have 1 TB SSDs in my MBPs.

If the bank account permits, purchase the 512 GB. In time, storage gets greater in size, not less. 🙂

Ciao.

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Answer 12

Spitfire1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 30, 2015 8:46 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Crucial is out of stock on its SSD's.

OWC has two types, either its stock HDD or its Extreme Pro.

At 480 GB, the Price difference is bearable if worth it. [$298 vs. $222].

Would be keeping this MacBook Pro for at least several more years if possible. Take many many photos tho' strictly amateur.

Your thoughts and recommendations?

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Answer 13

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Aug 30, 2015 9:54 AM in response to Spitfire1

Other vendors sell Crucial SSDs. Check Newegg and Amazon.

OWC SSDs have a reputation of being 'bullet proof'. You do not need the EXTREME version. The lesser expensive ELECTRA is good enough.

If a 512 GB SSD is too hard on the bank account, get the smaller one. Remember, the SSD can always be replaced at a later date (at a lower price as well) and the older one can serve as an external storage drive. That is one of the virtues of the MBP that you have.

Ciao.

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