MacBook Pro Mid 2012 Suddenly Running Extremely Slowly

Question

Level 1

6 points

MacBook Pro Mid 2012 Suddenly Running Extremely Slowly

I have a 13-inch, mid 2012 MacBook Pro with a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 memory running OS X El Capitan that suddenly started running extremely slowly a couple days ago. I have plenty of storage space left on it and a shortage of RAM also doesn't appear to be an issue. Just in case, I've already perform a PRAM and SMC reset. I've also run an AHT to check for hardware issues and it said that no problems were found. Anyone have any idea what's going on? Thanks.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Feb 6, 2016 5:06 AM

Reply

Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

83,916 points

Feb 6, 2016 5:14 AM in response to rahuljay123

Please run EtreCheck and post the report here.

http://etresoft.com/etrecheck

Download it, open Downloads folder, click on it to open and select ”Open”.

Select a problem from the “Choose a problem” popup menu box and then “Start EtreCheck” in the dialog.

Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste it when you reply.

Reply

Answer 2

rahuljay123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 6, 2016 5:41 AM in response to dominic23

EtreCheck version: 2.9.3 (253)

Report generated 2016-02-06 13:38:08

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 10:19

Performance: Poor

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Click the [Check files] link for help with unknown files.

Problem: Beachballing

Description:

Computer suddenly started to run extremely slowly. Any executed action takes several seconds to complete and beachballs frequently.

Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core

8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 488 - SN = W02434HATD3BB

Video Information: ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: about one hour

Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 319.25 GB (136.60 GB free)

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

BOOTCAMP (disk0s4) /Volumes/BOOTCAMP : 180.00 GB (132.41 GB free)

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8 ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Adware: ⓘ

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist

~/Library/Safari/Extensions/Searchme.safariextz

~/Library/Safari/Extensions/eBay Shopping Assistant-2.safariextz

3 adware files found. [Remove]

Unknown Files: ⓘ

/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.spotflux.Spotflux.tun.plist

One unknown file found. [Check files]

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Library/Application Support/Hotspot Shield

[not loaded] com.anchorfree.tun (1.0.1) [Support]

/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.20) [Support]

/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4052 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] 156 Apple tasks

[running] 80 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] 196 Apple tasks

[running] 91 Apple tasks

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.cyberghostsrl.CyberghostPrivilegedHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.ea.origin.ESHelper.plist [Support]

[failed] com.spotflux.Spotflux.tun.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeard.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.eyebeam.SelfControl.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

[loaded] com.bittorrent.BitTorrent.plist [Support]

[running] com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist Adware! [Remove]

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x10000007.EtreCheck

[running] com.getdropbox.dropbox.48032

[running] com.google.Chrome.48992

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

ChemDraw Plugin Pro: Version: 14 . 0 . 0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.5 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check version

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Searchme Adware! [Remove]

eBay Shopping Assistant Adware! [Remove]

Open in Internet Explorer

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]

Java [Support]

Perian [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 319.25 GB Disk used: 182.65 GB

Destinations:

My Passport for Mac [Local]

Total size: 499.73 GB

Total number of backups: 10

Oldest backup: 11/29/14, 8:06 AM

Last backup: 12/12/15, 9:27 AM

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 499.73 GB < (Disk used 182.65 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

15% WindowServer

4% DashboardClient(3)

3% kernel_task

1% update_dyld_shared_cache

1% install_monitor

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

827 MB Google Chrome Helper(4)

678 MB kernel_task

451 MB softwareupdated

279 MB mdworker(16)

279 MB mds_stores

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

1.47 GB Free RAM

6.53 GB Used RAM (2.53 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Feb 6, 2016, 12:08:41 PM Self test - passed

Feb 5, 2016, 11:22:46 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-05-232246_[redacted].crash

/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/42.0.2311.135/Google Chrome Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome Helper

Feb 5, 2016, 08:58:17 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-05-205817_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 11:58:16 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-04-235816_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 07:22:44 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-04-192244_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 07:16:52 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify Helper_2016-02-04-191652_[redacted].crash

/Applications/Spotify.app/Contents/Frameworks/Spotify Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/Spotify Helper

Feb 4, 2016, 05:16:38 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify Helper_2016-02-04-171638_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 04:59:56 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify Helper_2016-02-04-165956_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 11:42:02 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify Helper_2016-02-04-114202_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 11:20:16 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Microsoft Word_2016-02-04-112016_[redacted].hang

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Microsoft Word.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft Word

Feb 4, 2016, 09:50:54 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Spotify Helper_2016-02-04-095054_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 09:44:46 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-04-094446_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 09:32:30 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Google Chrome Helper_2016-02-04-093230_[redacted].crash

Feb 4, 2016, 12:32:58 AM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/VTDecoderXPCService_2016-02-04-003258_[redacte d].crash

/System/Library/Frameworks/VideoToolbox.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/VTDeco derXPCService.xpc/Contents/MacOS/VTDecoderXPCService

Reply

Answer 3

dominic23

Level 10

83,916 points

Feb 6, 2016 5:47 AM in response to rahuljay123

Adware is installed without your knowledge, removing it will help.

Backup the Mac.

1. Use free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac/ AdwareMedic to remove adware

http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

Download, install , open, and run it by clicking “Scan for Adware” button to remove adware.

Once done, quit Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

or

Remove the adware manually by following the “HowTo” from Apple.

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987

2. Disable Extensions and test.

Safari > Preferences > Extensions

Select and dissable all extensions and test.

Enable Extensions one by one and test.

To uninstall any extension, select it and click the “Uninstall” button.

3. Safari > Preferences > Search > Search Engine :

Select your preferred search engine.

4. Safari > Preferences > General > Homepage:

Set your Homepage.

Restart the Mac, empty the Trash and backup the Mac.

Best.

Reply

Answer 4

etresoft

Level 8

46,530 points

Feb 6, 2016 5:56 AM in response to dominic23

Hello dominic23,

As of EtreCheck 2.9, users now have another option. EtreCheck itself can now remove anything identified as adware. It still doesn't need a password because it instructs the Finder to move the files to the trash and the Finder will ask for a password, if necessary. Plus, EtreCheck prints the full path to any "Unknown files" in case they are new, zero-day adware that needs to be deleted by hand.

Reply

Answer 5

dominic23

Level 10

83,916 points

Feb 6, 2016 6:18 AM in response to etresoft

Thank you, EtreSoft.

Great to know about the added capabilities of EtreCheck. That is fantastic.

Extensions have to be uninstalled manually, correct?

.plist files have to be removed, though unnecessary.

I see that the path is given.

Best.

Reply

Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Feb 6, 2016 6:22 AM in response to rahuljay123

Torrent applications are an excellent vehicle of installing malware. I would urge you to delete it.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 7

rahuljay123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 6, 2016 6:42 AM in response to dominic23

Thank you for your help. I removed the adware using Malwarebytes as you suggested. Unfortunately, my computer is still running fairly slowly. Any other ideas on what may be wrong?

Reply

Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 6, 2016 6:45 AM in response to rahuljay123

If this started happening without your having made any changes and without a warning of low disk space, then it's likely that the startup drive, or some other hardware component, is failing. Back up all data immediately, then make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested.

There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

Reply

Answer 9

rahuljay123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:12 AM in response to Linc Davis

Yeah it started happening fairly spontaneously. Unfortunately, I'm abroad currently and likely will not have access to an Apple Store for nearly 2 months. Is there any way I can check if a hardware issue is at fault myself? The Apple hardware test came up with nothing, so I figured hardware was ok, but perhaps that test isn't exhaustive.

Reply

Answer 10

etresoft

Level 8

46,530 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:13 AM in response to dominic23

dominic23 wrote:

Extensions have to be uninstalled manually, correct?

.plist files have to be removed, though unnecessary.

I see that the path is given.

Hello again dominic23,

That is correct. Extensions, and any legitimate software, should only be removed with a vendor-provided uninstaller or uninstallation instructions. EtreCheck only removes files belonging to certifiable adware. Even then, it only removes the files that cause the adware to be launched.

Reply

Answer 11

etresoft

Level 8

46,530 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:15 AM in response to rahuljay123

rahuljay123 wrote:

Thank you for your help. I removed the adware using Malwarebytes as you suggested. Unfortunately, my computer is still running fairly slowly. Any other ideas on what may be wrong?

Hello rahuljay123,

I suggest posting another EtreCheck report. Sometimes I have seen adware have a significant impact on performance. If you run it again and it runs in 4 minutes or less, you are probably fine. If it still takes ten minutes, then it might be time for a new hard drive. The mechanical hard drives in those older MacBook Pros tend to die after 2-3 years. Sometimes they fail spectacularly and sometimes they just slow down over time.

Reply

Answer 12

notcloudy

Level 4

1,252 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:31 AM in response to rahuljay123

rahuljay123 wrote:

Yeah it started happening fairly spontaneously. Unfortunately, I'm abroad currently and likely will not have access to an Apple Store for nearly 2 months. Is there any way I can check if a hardware issue is at fault myself? The Apple hardware test came up with nothing, so I figured hardware was ok, but perhaps that test isn't exhaustive.

Check top sites - they refresh when the site is changed or you clear the cache -- don't know if they still add sites you visit a couple of times - but that can add up -- do not use reset to clear top sites as they just load defaults -- if you edit a site out it goes into a list to not add it.

You may also have updates to your software automatically downloading.

Another thing to watch are the MDS and MDworker jobs that created the Spotlight search indexes as they apparently index web pages along with everything else - I am hoping that it has always been true that if I de-select certain types of data - they will not be indexed.

Check your Console logs -- sometimes they do have easy to interpret information -- most of the time not --

Your system is may just be very very busy - so use the activity monitor to see all of the processes that are running and active.

The more activity - the less time each job has to do its thing - its like a mom spoon feeding babies - 1 child easy - 6 kids not so easy.

Reply

Answer 13

dominic23

Level 10

83,916 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:29 AM in response to rahuljay123

There is no harm in trying these resets and repairs.

If your Mac runs slowly https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19031?locale=en_US

Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH18761

Reset SMC. Choose the method for “On Mac notebooks with non-removable battery”.

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

Start up in Safe Mode. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH18760

Repair Disk: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22243?locale=en_US

Best.

Reply

Answer 14

rahuljay123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 6, 2016 7:30 AM in response to etresoft

Yeah it definitely took more than 4 minutes.

EtreCheck version: 2.9.3 (253)

Report generated 2016-02-06 15:25:44

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 7:30

Performance: Below Average

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Check files] link for help with unknown files.

Problem: Beachballing

Description:

Mac beachballs frequently and is running extremely slowly.

Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core

8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 488 - SN = W02434HATD3BB

Video Information: ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: about one hour

Disk Information: ⓘ

APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 319.25 GB (136.66 GB free)

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

BOOTCAMP (disk0s4) /Volumes/BOOTCAMP : 180.00 GB (132.41 GB free)

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8 ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Unknown Files: ⓘ

/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.spotflux.Spotflux.tun.plist

One unknown file found. [Check files]

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Library/Application Support/Hotspot Shield

[not loaded] com.anchorfree.tun (1.0.1) [Support]

/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.20) [Support]

[not loaded] org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.20) [Support]

/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4052 - SDK 10.8) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] 159 Apple tasks

[running] 77 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] 199 Apple tasks

[running] 88 Apple tasks

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.cyberghostsrl.CyberghostPrivilegedHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.ea.origin.ESHelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

[failed] com.spotflux.Spotflux.tun.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeard.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.eyebeam.SelfControl.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

[loaded] com.bittorrent.BitTorrent.plist [Support]

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.etresoft.EtreCheck.186912

[running] com.getdropbox.dropbox.48032

[running] com.google.Chrome.48992

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

ChemDraw Plugin Pro: Version: 14 . 0 . 0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.5 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check version

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Open in Internet Explorer

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]

Java [Support]

Perian [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 319.25 GB Disk used: 182.59 GB

Destinations:

My Passport for Mac [Local]

Total size: 499.73 GB

Total number of backups: 10

Oldest backup: 11/29/14, 8:06 AM

Last backup: 12/12/15, 9:27 AM

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 499.73 GB < (Disk used 182.59 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

8% Google Chrome Helper(2)

7% WindowServer

6% Google Chrome

3% kernel_task

2% DashboardClient(3)

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

733 MB kernel_task

459 MB Google Chrome Helper(5)

319 MB mds_stores

270 MB mdworker(19)

188 MB ocspd

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

3.21 GB Free RAM

4.78 GB Used RAM (2.98 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Feb 6, 2016, 02:18:34 PM Self test - passed