Auslegung

Q: All apps freeze, one-by-one, and I have to reboot for them to work properly again.

MBA 2012 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 1.8 GHz i5.  OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan.  14GB of SSD available.

 

This problem occurs in safe mode, in my admin account, and in a dummy "guest" account I created but have never used other than troubleshooting this problem.  To describe it in more detail, I'll turn on the Mac and open a few apps, like Safari, Mail, Messages, and TextEdit.  Do normal computing things.  Open Pages to write something.  Then, I'll try to close one of these apps, and maybe everything works fine, but maybe the app freezes, and I have to force quit it.  Once one app freezes, I know that all of the other apps are going to need force quitting to get them to quit.  They will operate fine so long as I don't try to quit them.  Also, once an app has frozen, I will not be able to open any Apple app until I have rebooted the computer.  I say "any Apple app" because I don't use many non-Apple apps (Sonos, QuickBooks, and Excel and Word occasionally), but I'm pretty sure when this is happening, I can still open Sonos and control my speakers.

 

I have done the following to troubleshoot:

 

  • Followed instructions on this post Endless crash reports
  • Uninstalled several programs I no longer use
  • Ran Disk Utility
  • Ran the more intense Apple Hardware Test from a USB drive

 

So far, everything has passed.  This has been happening for a month or two, and I've been doing troubleshooting throughout that time, so I can't exactly recall the results of every test, but the worst that may have happened is a test revealed a problem, but then fixed it.

 

Not sure what to do next, other than a clean install of El Capitan, which I'd rather avoid if possible.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM, 1.8 GHz i5

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 3:34 PM

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Q: All apps freeze, one-by-one, and I have to reboot for them to work properly again.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Apr 10, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Auslegung
    Level 6 (19,410 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Auslegung

    Post the output from EtreCheck. This will allow use to see your configuration.

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

    <http://etrecheck.com>

     

    Do you have any kernel panics?  Not application crashes.

    Kernel Panic reports: "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports"

    <http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2546>

    <http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553>

    The panic report should have "panic" in the file name.

     

    If you review the Applications -> Utilities -> Console logs, are there any frequently repeating entries that might indicate something is going wrong?

     

    Suggest you start and keep a copy of Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor running, and see if it shows anything unusual about CPU usage, Memory Usage, Disk or Network I/O usage.

     

    Is it possible that your 14GB of free space disappears as your Mac creates /var/vm/swapfile(s) which can get very big as time goes on from system boot (these swapfile(s) are deleted when you reboot, so just after boot, there will be none or very small ones).

  • by Auslegung,

    Auslegung Auslegung Apr 11, 2016 1:22 PM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Applications
    Apr 11, 2016 1:22 PM in response to BobHarris

    No kernel panics.  However, my console log has this repeated over and over:

     

    04/11/2016 14:54:27.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: SpotlightNetHelp(350) deny(1) file-read-data /Applications/Image Capture.app

     

    In addition to Image Capture, it shows the exact same with Mail, Messages, Mission Control, Notes, Photo Booth, Disk Utility, Digital Color Meter, Grab, Grapher, Migration Assistant, Terminal, etc etc.  This was shortly after yet another reboot this afternoon, if that matters, and everything is fine for now, so it doesn't seem related.

     

    Nothing unusual to report in Activity Monitor, other than Gmail tab using 666.6MB (and Safari in general using A LOT of RAM).  My available memory stays pretty stable at 14GB, doesn't jump up over the day because of swap files.

     

    I setup EtreCheck on "beachballing" and below is the output.  I have just removed the file it recommended and will be rebooting after posting this.

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.9.10 (261)

    Report generated 2016-04-11 16:15:02

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 1:55

    Performance: Excellent

     

    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.

     

    Problem: Beachballing

     

    Hardware Information:

        MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)

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

        MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir5,2

        1 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core

        8 GB RAM Not upgradeable

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

        Wireless:  en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n

        Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 256

     

    Video Information:

        Intel HD Graphics 4000

            Color LCD 1440 x 900

     

    System Software:

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

     

    Disk Information:

        APPLE SSD TS128E disk0 : (121.33 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

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

            Macintosh HD (disk1) /  [Startup]: 120.10 GB (14.11 GB free) (Low!)

                Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online

     

    USB Information:

        Apple Card Reader

        Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

        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

        One adware file found. [Remove]

     

    Kernel Extensions:

            /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox

        [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.16 - 2015-01-22) [Support]

        [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.16 - 2015-01-22) [Support]

        [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.16 - 2015-01-22) [Support]

        [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.16 - 2015-01-22) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.jft.driver.PdaNetDrv (1.0.64 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.mice.driver.Wireless360Controller (1.0.0d12 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.mice.driver.WirelessGamingReceiver (1.0.0d12 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.mice.driver.Xbox360Controller (1.0.0d12 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.sony.driver.prs (1.0.1d1 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

        [not loaded]    tc.tctechnologies.driver.PaeFireStudio (4.1.3 17357 - SDK 10.6 - 2016-03-10) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    7 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    153 Apple tasks

        [running]    76 Apple tasks

     

    System Launch Daemons:

        [not loaded]    45 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    153 Apple tasks

        [running]    90 Apple tasks

     

    Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2013-06-27) [Support]

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-01-28) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2013-10-24) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.sony.ReaderLibrary.RunReaderLibrary.plist (2010-07-13) [Support]

        [not loaded]    org.freedesktop.dbus-session.plist (2012-09-14) [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-01-28) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-01-28) [Support]

        [failed]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-05) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

        [running]    com.mice.360Daemon.plist (2013-02-07) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2013-10-24) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist (2014-10-15) [Support]

        [running]    com.sonos.SonosLibraryServer.plist (2016-04-05) [Support]

        [not loaded]    org.freedesktop.dbus-system.plist (2012-09-14) [Support]

        [loaded]    tc.tctechnologies.PaeFireStudio.plist (2013-09-06) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2013-12-22) [Support]

        [failed]    com.lastpass.LastPassHelper.plist (2015-06-15) [Support]

        [running]    com.spigot.ApplicationManager.plist (2016-02-29) Adware!  [Remove]

            ~/Library/Application Support/Spigot/ApplicationManager

        [loaded]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist (2016-02-03) [Support]

        [loaded]    uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist (2015-04-12) [Support]

     

    User Login Items:

        Magnet    Application  (/Applications/Magnet.app)

        Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)

        Google Photos Backup    Application  (/Applications/Google Photos Backup.app)

     

    Other Apps:

        [running]    com.crowdcafe.windowmagnet.52832

        [running]    com.google.GoogleDrive.43872

        [running]    com.google.GoogleTalkPluginD.101472.03F28102-5996-4F09-8916-C4A31C925343

        [running]    com.google.gpautobackup.80992

        [loaded]    com.lastpass.LPLaunchAtLoginHelperApp

        [running]    com.lastpass.LastPass.252832

        [running]    com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac.135072

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.OneDriveLauncher

        [running]    com.sonos.macController.102432

        [loaded]    398 Apple tasks

        [running]    204 Apple tasks

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        JavaAppletPlugin: Java 7 Update 71 (2014-10-15) Check version

        nplastpass: 3.1.89 - SDK 10.10 (2016-04-05) [Support]

        o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-16) [Support]

        Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-01-28)

        AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 1.0.0.0 - SDK 10.6 (2012-08-09) [Support]

        AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101736: Unknown

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.010.20060 - SDK 10.8 (2016-03-09) [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-01-28)

        Flash Player: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

        googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.0.0 (2010-08-25) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: 15.010.20060 - SDK 10.8 (2016-03-09) [Support]

        Silverlight: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 (2014-04-26) [Support]

        DirectorShockwave: 12.1.0r150 - SDK 10.6 (2014-03-10) [Support]

     

    Safari Extensions:

        AdBlock (2016-03-30)

        RecoverTabs (2016-02-29)

        Ultimate Status Bar (2014-04-12)

        LastPass (2015-09-08)

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        Flash Player (2016-04-05) [Support]

        Java (2014-10-15) [Support]

        MusicManager (2015-11-17) [Support]

        XBox 360 Controllers (2013-02-07) [Support]

     

    Time Machine:

        Skip System Files: NO

        Mobile backups: ON

        Auto backup: YES

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 120.10 GB Disk used: 105.99 GB

        Destinations:

            Mac [Local]

            Total size: 387.62 GB

            Total number of backups: 68

            Oldest backup: 04/12/2014, 08:41 

            Last backup: 04/10/2016, 22:00 

            Size of backup disk: Excellent

                Backup size 387.62 GB > (Disk size 120.10 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

            11%    sysmond

            10%    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(7)

             2%    kernel_task

             2%    WindowServer

             2%    fontd

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        1.66 GB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(7)

        729 MB    kernel_task

        639 MB    Safari

        213 MB    mdworker(8)

        123 MB    com.apple.appkit.xpc.openAndSavePanelService(2)

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        33 MB    Free RAM

        7.96 GB    Used RAM (1.18 GB Cached)

        0 B    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information:

        Apr 11, 2016, 02:27:28 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/FinderSyncAPIExtension_2016-04-11-142728_[reda cted].crash

            com.google.GoogleDrive.FinderSyncAPIExtension - /Applications/Google Drive.app/Contents/PlugIns/FinderSyncAPIExtension.appex/Contents/MacOS/FinderSy ncAPIExtension

        Apr 11, 2016, 02:26:10 PM    Self test - passed

        Apr 11, 2016, 01:12:43 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Pages_2016-04-11-131243_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/Pages.app/Contents/MacOS/Pages

        Apr 11, 2016, 09:32:56 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Preview_2016-04-11-093256_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/Preview.app/Contents/MacOS/Preview

        Apr 10, 2016, 01:50:00 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Safari_2016-04-10-135000_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/MacOS/Safari

        Apr 10, 2016, 01:48:03 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Messages_2016-04-10-134803_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/Messages.app/Contents/MacOS/Messages

        Apr 8, 2016, 06:48:32 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Safari_2016-04-08-184832_[redacted].hang

        Apr 8, 2016, 06:48:17 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Preview_2016-04-08-184817_[redacted].hang

        Apr 8, 2016, 06:16:11 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Pages_2016-04-08-181611_[redacted].hang

        Apr 8, 2016, 06:16:11 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/TextEdit_2016-04-08-181611_[redacted].hang

            /Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Apr 11, 2016 4:31 PM in response to Auslegung
    Level 6 (19,410 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 11, 2016 4:31 PM in response to Auslegung

    However, my console log has this repeated over and over:

    04/11/2016 14:54:27.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: SpotlightNetHelp(350) deny(1) file-read-data /Applications/Image Capture.app

    if you are getting frequent, like every few seconds, repeated log entries, that can drain a systems performance.  I did a Google search on SpotlightNetHelp and found a few hits.

     

    You might try re-indexing your Spotlight database, and see if that cleans things up.

    <Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple Support>

     

            Macintosh HD (disk1) /  [Startup]: 120.10 GB (14.11 GB free) (Low!)

    If generally a good idea to try and have more free space if you can.

  • by Auslegung,

    Auslegung Auslegung Apr 12, 2016 9:12 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Applications
    Apr 12, 2016 9:12 AM in response to BobHarris

    It's even more frequent than every few seconds, more like dozens and dozens in a second.  However, it's not sustained over a long period of time, they seem to come in bursts; 20-30 log entries in 1 second, then nothing for a while, then 20-30 more.  But as of right now, I don't see it in the log over the last hour.  However, I do see this repeating on average every 30 seconds for a long time:

     

    04/12/2016 11:26:20.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:20.477 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect()-> No of tries: 1

    04/12/2016 11:26:21.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:21.552 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect()-> No of tries: 2

    04/12/2016 11:26:22.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:22.625 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect()-> No of tries: 3

    04/12/2016 11:26:23.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:23.697 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect() failed path:/var/run/mDNSResponder Socket:4 Err:-1 Errno:1 Operation not permitted

    04/12/2016 11:26:23.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:23.699 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect()-> No of tries: 1

    04/12/2016 11:26:24.000 kernel[0]: Sandbox: com.apple.Addres(5411) deny(1) network-outbound /private/var/run/mDNSResponder

    04/12/2016 11:26:24.765 com.apple.AddressBook.InternetAccountsBridge[5411]: dnssd_clientstub ConnectToServer: connect()-> No of tries: 2

     

    Thank you for doing the Googling for me, I guess I could've done that myself   I will reindex Spotlight after posting this.  Removed that spigot file yesterday after posting, but had to reboot last night around 7pm, but so far running fine today.

  • by Auslegung,

    Auslegung Auslegung Apr 12, 2016 12:41 PM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Applications
    Apr 12, 2016 12:41 PM in response to BobHarris

    This may help in solving the issue.  I had been using Numbers earlier today, and quit it, without issue.  I just tried to open it again and the icon on my dock bounced, but nothing happened.  There is a small black dot below the Numbers icon on my dock, but it is non-responsive.  This happened at 15:19:02.  I have copied and pasted everything on the console from 15:19:02 - 15:20:04.  Now if I quit most any Apple app, and try to reopen it, it will have the same behavior.  I have just confirmed this by trying to launch Mail, Messages, FaceTime, Notes, and Numbers, and they all act the same.  However, QuickBooks, iTunes, Chrome, Photos, TextEdit and Sonos respond fine.  The apps I just listed are 95% of my usage, or more.

     

    Interestingly, WindowServer is #1 on CPU Time as reported by Activity Monitor, and is what is listed below during the Numbers freeze.  #2 is kernel_task, which I expect, followed by Console, Safari, etc. 

     

    04/12/2016 15:19:02.186 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:02.186] FigAgglomeratorSetObjectForKey signalled err=-16020 (kFigStringConformerError_ParamErr) (NULL key) at /Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/CoreMedia/CoreMedia-1731.15.33/Prototypes /LegibleOutput/FigAgglomerator.c line 92

    04/12/2016 15:19:02.186 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:02.186] FigAgglomeratorSetObjectForKey signalled err=-16020 (kFigStringConformerError_ParamErr) (NULL key) at /Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/CoreMedia/CoreMedia-1731.15.33/Prototypes /LegibleOutput/FigAgglomerator.c line 92

    04/12/2016 15:19:02.186 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:02.186] FigAgglomeratorSetObjectForKey signalled err=-16020 (kFigStringConformerError_ParamErr) (NULL key) at /Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/CoreMedia/CoreMedia-1731.15.33/Prototypes /LegibleOutput/FigAgglomerator.c line 92

    04/12/2016 15:19:05.856 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:05.856] <<<< Boss >>>> figPlaybackBossPrerollCompleted: unexpected preroll-complete notification

    04/12/2016 15:19:05.857 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:05.857] <<<< Boss >>>> figPlaybackBossPrerollCompleted: unexpected preroll-complete notification

    04/12/2016 15:19:05.858 com.apple.WebKit.WebContent[379]: [15:19:05.858] <<<< Boss >>>> figPlaybackBossPrerollCompleted: unexpected preroll-complete notification

    04/12/2016 15:19:06.555 WindowServer[185]: _CGXRemoveWindowFromWindowMovementGroup: window 0x32 is not attached to window 0x3f

    04/12/2016 15:19:12.804 WindowServer[185]: _CGXRemoveWindowFromWindowMovementGroup: window 0x32 is not attached to window 0x3f

    04/12/2016 15:19:18.456 WindowServer[185]: send_datagram_available_ping: pid 383 failed to act on a ping it dequeued before timing out.

    04/12/2016 15:19:23.474 com.apple.appkit.xpc.openAndSavePanelService[7139]: BUG in libdispatch client: kevent[EVFILT_MEMORYSTATUS] add: "Operation not supported" - 0x2d

    04/12/2016 15:19:29.523 WindowServer[185]: send_datagram_available_ping: pid 383 failed to act on a ping it dequeued before timing out.

    04/12/2016 15:19:41.522 WindowServer[185]: send_datagram_available_ping: pid 383 failed to act on a ping it dequeued before timing out.

    04/12/2016 15:20:04.356 WindowServer[185]: send_datagram_available_ping: pid 383 failed to act on a ping it dequeued before timing out.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 12, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Auslegung
    Level 9 (71,259 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 12, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Auslegung

    Etrecheck is showing adware installed.

     

    Spigot  Uninstall

  • by Auslegung,

    Auslegung Auslegung May 2, 2016 5:54 AM in response to Auslegung
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Applications
    May 2, 2016 5:54 AM in response to Auslegung

    Thanks, I uninstalled it right away and that hasn't helped anything.  I'm still getting the daily app freezes.  I have tried to reindex spotlight by following Apple's instructions, but I couldn't tell that anything was happening (no visual feedback, computer not working extra hard, etc).

     

    Saturday I ended up wiping my Mac 3 times and doing a clean install of El Capitan.  Redownloading apps slowly, as needed, just in case one of my apps was the issue.  So far so good.  Thanks everyone for your replies, especially BobHarris.