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Please help do the equivalent of a defrag on my Mac, as it is extremely slow

my Mac is extremely slow painfully slow in fact and needs a clean up but I don't know how to clear it of all the junk such as cookies etc and help it run faster.


please help

MacBook Pro

Posted on May 4, 2016 9:15 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 4, 2016 1:10 PM

Cookies do not affect a Mac's performance, and there is no benefit to "defragmenting". Do not use any product claiming to "clean" your Mac either. They are all scams.


Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. To learn how to use Time Machine read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.


Determine if the problems also persist in "Safe Mode":




  • Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components. Read about it: Starting up in Safe Mode
  • You must disable FileVault before you can start your Mac in Safe Mode.
  • Starting your Mac in Safe Mode will take longer than usual, graphics will not render smoothly, audio is disabled on some Macs, and some programs (iTunes for example) may not work at all.
  • Merely starting your Mac in Safe Mode is not intended to resolve the problem, it's to observe its performance without certain additional components.
  • To end Safe Mode restart your Mac normally. Shutdown will take longer as well.
15 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 4, 2016 1:10 PM in response to lindabob

Cookies do not affect a Mac's performance, and there is no benefit to "defragmenting". Do not use any product claiming to "clean" your Mac either. They are all scams.


Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. To learn how to use Time Machine read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.


Determine if the problems also persist in "Safe Mode":




  • Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components. Read about it: Starting up in Safe Mode
  • You must disable FileVault before you can start your Mac in Safe Mode.
  • Starting your Mac in Safe Mode will take longer than usual, graphics will not render smoothly, audio is disabled on some Macs, and some programs (iTunes for example) may not work at all.
  • Merely starting your Mac in Safe Mode is not intended to resolve the problem, it's to observe its performance without certain additional components.
  • To end Safe Mode restart your Mac normally. Shutdown will take longer as well.

May 4, 2016 2:07 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant I took your advice and this result is cut and pasted below. I dont think its doing what it should have


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Apple Support Communities / Notebooks / MacBook Pro

Please help do the equivalent of a defrag on my Mac, as it is extremely slow

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51 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: May 4, 2016 2:04 PM by lindabob
Level 1
Mac OS X


lindabob May 4, 2016 9:15 AM
my Mac is extremely slow painfully slow in fact and needs a clean up but I don't know how to clear it of all the junk such as cookies etc and help it run faster. please help
MacBook Pro I have this question too (0)
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Reply by John Galt on May 4, 2016 1:10 PM Helpful


Cookies do not affect a Mac's performance, and there is no benefit to "defragmenting". Do not use any product claiming to "clean" your Mac either. They are all scams.


Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. To learn how to use Time Machine read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.


Determine if the problems also persist in "Safe Mode":




  • Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components. Read about it: Starting up in Safe Mode
  • You must disable FileVault before you can start your Mac in Safe Mode.
  • Starting your Mac in Safe Mode will take longer than usual, graphics will not render smoothly, audio is disabled on some Macs, and some programs (iTunes for example) may not work at all.
  • Merely starting your Mac in Safe Mode is not intended to resolve the problem, it's to observe its performance without certain additional components.
  • To end Safe Mode restart your Mac normally. Shutdown will take longer as well.
See the answer in context


Reply by Eric Root on May 4, 2016 1:11 PM Helpful


Try running this program and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

See the answer in context

All replies


  • Level 8


    John Galt May 4, 2016 1:10 PM file:///message/30159602#30159602
    in response to lindabobHelpful

    Cookies do not affect a Mac's performance, and there is no benefit to "defragmenting". Do not use any product claiming to "clean" your Mac either. They are all scams.


    Back up your Mac if you have not done so already. To learn how to do that read https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. To learn how to use Time Machine read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.


    Determine if the problems also persist in "Safe Mode":




    • Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components. Read about it: Starting up in Safe Mode
    • You must disable FileVault before you can start your Mac in Safe Mode.
    • Starting your Mac in Safe Mode will take longer than usual, graphics will not render smoothly, audio is disabled on some Macs, and some programs (iTunes for example) may not work at all.
    • Merely starting your Mac in Safe Mode is not intended to resolve the problem, it's to observe its performance without certain additional components.
    • To end Safe Mode restart your Mac normally. Shutdown will take longer as well.


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (1)


    • Link to this post
    • Reply

  • Level 9


    Mac OS X

    Eric Root May 4, 2016 1:11 PM file:///message/30159603#30159603
    in response to lindabobHelpful
    Try running this program and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

    Etrecheck – System Information


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (1)


    • Link to this post
    • Reply

  • Level 1


    Mac OS X

    lindabob May 4, 2016 1:17 PM file:///message/30160421#30160421
    in response to Eric Root

    Hello Eric I tried to click on your program but all it did was pretend to be going to another page but then taking me back to this page so im a bit lost with it.


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (0)


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  • Level 1


    Mac OS X

    lindabob May 4, 2016 1:19 PM file:///message/30160423#30160423
    in response to John Galt

    Sorry to sound dopey but is backing up the same as using the time machine.


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (0)


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  • Level 9


    Grant Bennet-Alder May 4, 2016 1:56 PM file:///message/30160727#30160727
    in response to lindabob
    There is a new issue (bug) in the forum software, where off-site links do not work properly.


    Just select the link and right-click or Control-click and choose "Open Address" from the popup menu.


    or paste the link into a new Browser window.


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (0)


    • Link to this post
    • Reply

  • Level 1
    Mac OS X


    lindabob May 4, 2016 2:04 PM file:///message/30160649#30160649
    in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Hi so will the link have given my mac a bug as i didnt try the method you suggested just now. I dont have a right click option on the track pad or should i say i sometimes do but mostly it doesnt show up as an option when i click the trackpad il try again though see what happens thank you for helping

    Edit


    file:///Users/lindasaunders/Downloads/7552763.html#This helped me (0)


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May 4, 2016 2:32 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant I used the link and below is the cut and pasted report which I am sure is plain i understand not a jot.


EtreCheck version: 2.9.12 (265)

Report generated 2016-05-04 22:30:17

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 3:32

Performance: Good


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

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


Problem: Computer is too slow


Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)

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

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,3

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 665


Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB

Color LCD 1680 x 1050

AMD Radeon HD 6750M - VRAM: 1024 MB


System Software:

OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 (13F34) - Time since boot: about 6 hours


Disk Information:

Hitachi HTS725050A9A362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (311.00 GB free)

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


MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8 ()


USB Information:

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver


Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store and identified developers


Kernel Extensions:

/Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab/KAV/Bases/Cache

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kext.kimul.46 (46 - 2016-05-04) [Support]

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kext.mark.1.0.6 (1.0.6 - 2016-05-04) [Support]


/Library/Application Support/LogMeIn/drivers

[not loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (4.1.6333 - 2016-04-28) [Support]


/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.kaspersky.kext.klif (3.3.0a1 - 2016-03-02) [Support]

[loaded] com.kaspersky.nke (2.1.0 - 2016-03-02) [Support]


/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungComposite (1.4.14 - SDK 10.6 - 2016-04-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.tomtom.driver.UsbEthernetGadget (1.0.0d1 - 2016-04-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.pentablet (Pen Tablet 5.1.0-3 - 2016-04-28) [Support]


/System/Library/Extensions/ssuddrv.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMControl (1.4.14 - SDK 10.6 - 2013-09-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMData (1.4.14 - SDK 10.6 - 2013-09-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungMTP (1.4.14 - SDK 10.5 - 2013-09-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungSerial (1.4.14 - SDK 10.6 - 2013-09-09) [Support]


System Launch Agents:

[not loaded] 6 Apple tasks

[loaded] 141 Apple tasks

[running] 36 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons:

[not loaded] 47 Apple tasks

[loaded] 138 Apple tasks

[running] 64 Apple tasks


Launch Agents:

[running] com.logmein.logmeingui.plist (2016-04-28) [Support]

[running] com.logmein.logmeinguiagent.plist (2016-04-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagentatlogin.plist (2016-04-28) [Support]


Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2011-07-14) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-16) [Support]

[loaded] com.apple.aelwriter.plist

[running] com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd.plist

[running] com.kaspersky.kav.plist (2016-05-04) [Support]

[running] com.logmein.logmeinserver.plist (2016-04-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.logmein.raupdate.plist (2013-12-16) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]


User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2014-04-30) [Support]

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


User Login Items:

TomTomMyDriveConnectHelper Application (/Applications/TomTom MyDrive Connect.app/Contents/MacOS/TomTomMyDriveConnectHelper.app)

Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Safari Application (/Applications/Safari.app)

Dragon Dictate Application (/Applications/Dragon Dictate.app)

Google Chrome Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

TomTomHOMERunner Application Hidden (~/Library/Application Support/TomTom HOME/TomTomHOMERunner.app)

KiesAgent Application Hidden (/Applications/Kies.app/Contents/MacOS/KiesAgent.app)


Other Apps:

[running] [0x0-0x14014].com.tomtom.mytomtomsa

[running] [0x0-0x52052].com.etresoft.EtreCheck

[running] com.dragon.dictate.35936

[running] com.getdropbox.dropbox.18336

[running] com.google.Chrome.51072

[running] com.microsoft.Word.41744

[running] com.microsoft.autoupdate.fba.54416

[running] com.tomtom.HOMERunnerApp.78176

[running] com.yourcompany.KiesAgent.50896

[running] jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister.53008

[loaded] 441 Apple tasks

[running] 400 Apple tasks


Internet Plug-ins:

Default Browser: 537 - SDK 10.9 (2015-05-29)

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

FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-23) [Support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 (2014-01-01) [Support]

LogMeIn: 1.0.935 - SDK 10.7 (2013-03-12) [Support]

Flash Player: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-23) [Support]

LogMeInSafari32: 1.0.935 - SDK 10.7 (2013-03-12) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2015-05-29)

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.4.7 - SDK 10.6 (2015-01-27) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 (2014-01-01) [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-07-16)

Silverlight: 4.0.60531.0 (2011-09-12) [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 (2014-03-11) Check version


User internet Plug-ins:

Google Earth Web Plug-in: 6.2 (2012-04-14) [Support]


Safari Extensions:

Virtual Keyboard - Kaspersky Lab - http://kaspersky.com (2013-12-26)

URL Advisor - Kaspersky Lab - http://kaspersky.com (2013-12-27)


Audio Plug-ins:

DVCPROHDAudio: 1.3.2 (2011-09-12)


3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player (2016-04-16) [Support]

Growl (2011-07-14) [Support]

PenTablet (2008-12-09) [Support]


Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: ON

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 499.25 GB Disk used: 188.25 GB

Destinations:

Time Machine Backups [Local]

Total size: 3.00 TB

Total number of backups: 11

Oldest backup: 10/10/2011 17:47

Last backup: 31/08/2015 16:52

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 3.00 TB > (Disk size 499.25 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU:

40% mdworker(2)

3% WindowServer

2% kernel_task

2% fontd

1% kav


Top Processes by Memory:

1.02 GB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(5)

612 MB kernel_task

279 MB kav

221 MB mds_stores

197 MB Dropbox


Virtual Memory Information:

2.32 GB Free RAM

5.67 GB Used RAM (3.27 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information:

May 4, 2016, 04:26:14 PM Self test - passed

May 4, 2016 2:35 PM in response to lindabob

Using Time Machine is the same as backing up.


Time Machine is only one backup method, but it is the easiest and least intrusive. It's integrated with your Mac and designed so you never have to think about a fundamental task that what would otherwise be a chore.


There are other general backup methods explained in the other link: https://www.apple.com/support/backup/. Use whatever method is convenient for you.


My reason for recommending "backing up" is that the symptoms you describe are sometimes (not always) an indication of impending hard disk drive failure. More troubleshooting would be required before justifiably drawing that conclusion.

May 4, 2016 2:49 PM in response to lindabob

That report indicates you did perform a Time Machine backup, but it was a long time ago. Re-connect that hard disk drive, or another suitable hard disk drive, and then run Time Machine again so that you have a more recent backup. To do that select "Back Up Now" from the Time Machine icon in your Mac's menu bar.


The other usual suspects are present in that report, most notably Kaspersky. Don't use "anti-virus" products on a Mac unless you want it to run poorly while conveying absolutely no benefit whatsoever. Uninstall any and all Kaspersky products present on that Mac according to their respective instructions — if you can find them, and assuming they work (frequently they don't) — and then evaluate your Mac's performance.

May 4, 2016 7:11 PM in response to lindabob

Remove kaspersky. As mentioned, you are already protected by OS X itself. Using the Kaspersky uninstall instructions.


Unless you are paying for LogMeIn, you should uninstall all the LogMeIn drivers and such using the uninstall instructions from LogMeIn.com


Spotlight seems to be consuming a lot of CPU. You should re-index your Spotlight database

<https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716>

You may need to copy and past the link to your Browser URL bar, due to problems in the Forum software.

Please help do the equivalent of a defrag on my Mac, as it is extremely slow

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