Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
OS 10.8.5 iMac about 5.5 years old. The hard drive starts working several times a day for no apparent reason and goes for as much as 10-15 minutes. Sometimes it starts if I change something on the calendar. Other times I'm not sure what starts it. Sometime it even does it when it is supposed to be asleep. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)
You are swapping way too much RAM (almost all of the RAM you have is swapping) - what that means is that you do not have enough RAM installed for whatever apps/processes you are using and it has to jump from one to the other to supply it with RAM.
You need more RAM. Only order from a trusted RAM vendor such as OWC (macsales.com) or Crucial as they guarantee their RAM with Macs.
Also be aware that all hard drives fail eventually - some sooner/later than others. Have you booted into recovery and used Disk Utility there to verify your hard drive?
I ran another EtreCheck after rebooting and there is nothing there now about kaspersky.
EtreCheck version: 2.9.11 (264)
Report generated 2016-04-27 22:20:36
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime 5:18
Performance: Below Average
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Problem: Other problem
Description:
hard drive keeps working for several minutes
Hardware Information: ⓘ
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
iMac - model: iMac11,3
1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 0/DIMM1
Empty
BANK 1/DIMM1
Empty
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: Unknown
Video Information: ⓘ
ATI Radeon HD 5670 - VRAM: 512 MB
iMac 2560 x 1440
System Software: ⓘ
OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5 (12F2560) - Time since boot: less than an hour
Disk Information: ⓘ
OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H ()
APPLE HDD HUA722010CLA330 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)
disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (764.14 GB free)
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
USB Information: ⓘ
Lexmark 2600 Series
Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub
Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard
Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse 500
Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Gatekeeper: ⓘ
Mac App Store and identified developers
Kernel Extensions: ⓘ
/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hidhook (8.0 18619.1001606 - 2014-09-24) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (8.0 18619.1001606 - 2014-09-24) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (8.0 18619.1001606 - 2014-09-24) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (8.0 18619.1001606 - 2014-09-24) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (8.0 18619.1001606 - 2014-09-24) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWDrv (1.2.40314.524 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3G (v3.0.7 (001) - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.DisableAutoInstall (v2.0.6 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.52 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.45 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraDevSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSCSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraFSRSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.sierrawireless.driver.SierraHSRSupport (2.0.2.0 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessModem (3.2.7 - 2016-04-04) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/NovatelWireless3G.kext/Contents/Plugins
[not loaded] com.novatelwireless.driver.3GData (v3.0.7 (001) - 2010-07-26) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/PTUMWDrv.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWCDFree (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWCSP (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWDIAG (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWMdmControl (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWMdmData (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.PTUMWUSBMergeNub (1.2.40314.524 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/SMSIWirelessModem.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessCDC (3.2.7 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
[not loaded] com.smithmicro.driver.SMSIWirelessSerial (3.2.7 - 2010-07-26) [Support]
System Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] 4 Apple tasks
[loaded] 114 Apple tasks
[running] 27 Apple tasks
System Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[not loaded] 54 Apple tasks
[loaded] 134 Apple tasks
[running] 48 Apple tasks
Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2010-10-30) [Support]
[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist (2010-10-30) [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2015-12-13) [Support]
[running] com.rim.BBLaunchAgent.plist (2010-12-17) [Support]
Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2010-10-30) [Support]
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-15) [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2015-12-13) [Support]
[running] com.rim.BBDaemon.plist (2010-12-17) [Support]
User Launch Agents: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2010-10-31) [Support]
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2010-11-27) [Support]
[failed] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist (2013-10-31) [Support]
[loaded] com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXC...plist
[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist
[loaded] com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist (2014-06-20) [Support]
User Login Items: ⓘ
Calendar Application (/Applications/Calendar.app)
HughesNet Status Meter 08-11-07-817 Application Hidden (~/.Trash/HughesNet Status Meter 08-11-07-817.app)
HughesNet Status Meter Application Hidden (/Applications/HughesNet Status Meter.app)
Other Apps: ⓘ
[running] [0x0-0x13013].jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister
[running] [0x0-0x14014].com.lexmark.icadriver
[running] [0x0-0x1f01f].com.hughesnet.statusmeter
[running] [0x0-0x2d02d].com.etresoft.EtreCheck
[loaded] 357 Apple tasks
[running] 128 Apple tasks
Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
Google Earth Web Plug-in: 7.1 (2013-10-07) [Support]
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.5 (2012-11-24) [Support]
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 10.1.16 (2015-10-15) [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-25) [Support]
Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-11) [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.1 (2015-08-19)
Flash Player: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-25) [Support]
iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (2011-01-12)
SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.3 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-21) [Support]
AdobePDFViewer: 10.1.16 (2015-10-15) [Support]
CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version 1.1.9 - SDK 10.5 (2012-11-20) [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 91 build 14 (2016-04-21) Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (2014-09-16) [Support]
WebEx: 1.0 (2011-02-08) [Support]
Safari Extensions: ⓘ
BB Toolbar for Google and Safari - BB Share Networking Inc. - http://www.bbshare.com (2016-02-24)
OpenIE - Parallels - http://www.parallels.com (2014-09-22)
3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ
Flash Player (2016-04-15) [Support]
Growl (2011-06-03) [Support]
Java (2016-04-21) [Support]
MacFUSE (2011-07-16) [Support]
Time Machine: ⓘ
Skip System Files: NO
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 235.21 GB
Destinations:
Time Machine Backups [Local]
Total size: 749.78 GB
Total number of backups: 21
Oldest backup: 1/9/16 5:25 PM
Last backup: 4/23/16 12:56 PM
Size of backup disk: Adequate
Backup size 749.78 GB > (Disk used 235.21 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ
2% iCalExternalSync
2% WindowServer
1% fontd
1% firefox
0% BBLaunchAgent
Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ
508 MB firefox
57 MB WindowServer
49 MB mds
41 MB Calendar
41 MB Dock
Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ
1.66 GB Free RAM
2.34 GB Used RAM
0 B Swap Used
Diagnostics Information: ⓘ
Apr 27, 2016, 10:18:37 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-221837_[redact ed].crash
/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/XPCServices/com.apple.dock.extra .xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.dock.extra
Apr 27, 2016, 10:10:04 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-221004_[redact ed].crash
Apr 27, 2016, 10:07:55 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-220755_[redact ed].crash
Apr 27, 2016, 10:07:22 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-220722_[redact ed].crash
Apr 27, 2016, 10:07:14 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-220714_[redact ed].crash
Apr 27, 2016, 10:07:02 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.dock.extra_2016-04-27-220702_[redact ed].crash
Apr 27, 2016, 10:06:11 PM Self test - passed
Apr 27, 2016, 03:29:14 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ksfetch_2016-04-27-152914_[redacted].crash
/private/tmp/*/ksfetch
Apr 26, 2016, 09:13:28 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ksfetch_2016-04-26-211328_[redacted].crash
Apr 25, 2016, 11:08:09 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ksfetch_2016-04-25-230809_[redacted].crash
Apr 25, 2016, 11:06:24 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ksfetch_2016-04-25-230624_[redacted].crash
Apr 25, 2016, 09:39:51 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/plugin-container_2016-04-25-213951_[redacted]. crash
org.mozilla.plugincontainer - /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/plugin-container.app/Contents/MacOS/pl ugin-container
Apr 25, 2016, 04:07:46 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ksfetch_2016-04-25-040746_[redacted].crash
The EtreCheck I ran after a reboot says 0B swap used. The hard drive was working for a LONG time before I ran that EtraCheck.
It's your decision, but you are running a newer OS version on the minimum recommended. I still recommend more RAM.
I understand that I need more ram but swapping doesn't seem to be causing the excessive hard drive noise I'm hearing. This just started recently and I've been using the newer OS for a couple of years. I just saw this part of your previous reply "Have you booted into recovery and used Disk Utility there to verify your hard drive?" I have not and don't know how. I will research this and do it. Someone suggested getting a solid state drive, but I need to find out the cause of the issue (if it isn't the drive itself) because I don't want to just treat the symptom. If I need a hard drive and ram I probably should have replaced the computer last year instead of replacing the screen that failed. 😟
I believe this is the first time you are mentioning excessive hard drive noise. Saying that the hard drive is "working" is a bit cryptic. Excessive noise would most likely indicate a failing hard drive (I had mentioned that possibility).
In that case, I would back up all my files and take it for an evaluation to the nearest Genius Bar or authorized service center. And, I would have it evaluated before trying to use recovery (which involves holding Command + R right after the startup sound in order to boot into recovery).
Yeah I agree with Babowa, you should absolutely do a complete backup.
I see you are using Time Machine, that is good.
I would also get an external drive and clone your hard drive using something like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper.
Both will make a exact bootable clone of your hard drive, so WHEN it fails you will be in a much better position.
Kim
Sorry, I guess I muddied the waters a bit. I didn't mean to say that it is making excessive noise. It is the normal sound that the hard drive makes when it is doing something but sometimes it just goes on and on and on for many minutes, and for me that is too much noise. I was trying to avoid taking it in for service but I think that at this point that is probably what I need to do. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post and make suggestions.
FWIW, my hard drive is completely silent; I had another Mac where it made a bit of a noise but it was barely audible. So, it isn't necessarily "normal" for it to make noise.
Go to Apps > Utilities > Activity Monitor
Start Activity Monitor and leave it running.
Click on %CPU and leave it running.
When you notice the problem you are referring to, see what is using the CPU. Maybe this will help you zero in on it.
Kim
OK, I have this open now (it looks a little different.) That should give me a clue. It hasn't happened so far today. I will probably try a reboot into recovery at some point too, especially if I don't figure it out from this. Thanks.
Update: 1. I opened in recovery and verified the hard drive. It was corrupt and I repaired it. EtraCheck now says performance is good. 2. I have been watching the activity monitor. pmset was using the most, up to 100.1% but only for a very short time then it went away. Most of the time prl_vm_app was at the top but only around 5%. I think it is related to parallels. Firefox used a lot when I was opening a new tab. This was before I repaired the hard drive. After the repair and after running EtraCheck I closed everything except Finder and Activity Monitor and the hard drive was working for 10 minutes after EtraCheck stopped. All of that time iCalExternalSync was at the top using around 2.5%. It went away about the time that the hard drive stopped working. Does any of that give you any clues? Thanks.
Your hard drive is more than 5 years old - that is a good run for a hard drive (some fail after 1 - 2 years). And no, without looking over your shoulder and examining the performance, I can't find any clues in your post.
I found this information about iCalExternalSync. Re: iCalExternal Sync +100% CPU in Activity Monitor
Not sure if it will help, but it may be worth a read. Although 2.5% doesn't seem excessive.
Kim
I will try that, maybe tomorrow when I'm not tired. I don't have any 3rd party programs that it syncs with, but the calendar defintely triggers the problem at least some of the time so maybe it is one of the other 2 things. I'll let you know after I do that.
hard drive works for several minutes
