Emeliadie
Level 1 (8 points)
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Q: Application memory full on MacBook air

I Have An early 2014 13 inchMacBook Air  1.4GHz processor, 4 GB memory, OSX Yosemite 10.10.5 OS.  Application memory is full.  Gives a warning and then freezes.  problem appeared to be with iCloud storage of pictures so with local apple tech removed all pictures to external hard drive as well as cleaned up many files etc.  Freed up a lot of space.  Problem still happening.  Noticed on activity monitor 3 different installers using 15 GB of memory and the longer the computer is on the higher the GB get until it overloads and freeze.  The symbol beside the installers looks like a drop box symbol.  Would like to trash them but not sure what they are??

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 8:12 PM

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Emeliadie

Q: Application memory full on MacBook air

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 22, 2016 10:35 PM in response to Emeliadie
    Level 9 (50,538 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 10:35 PM in response to Emeliadie

    Noticed on activity monitor 3 different installers using 15 GB of memory and the longer the computer is on the higher the GB get until it overloads and freeze.  The symbol beside the installers looks like a drop box symbol.

     

    Do the "installers" look like the ones in this screenshot?

     

    (click to enlarge it)

     

    ss.png

    .

    If they do then you inadvertently installed adware. You do not need to download or install anything to fix it.

     

    Navigate to the following folder, and post its contents in a screenshot.

     

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents

     

    To open that folder, copy the entire line above and paste it in the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field. It should look like this:

     

     

    gt.png

     

     

    Take a screenshot showing all that folder's contents, and post it in a reply. To take a screenshot read the Appendix in the following User Tip: Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question.


    There will be additional instructions to follow.

     

    For a description of how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple's recommended actions read How to install adware.

     

    Review your Gatekeeper settings: OS X : About Gatekeeper - Apple Support. Gatekeeper is designed to help prevent you from inadvertently installing garbage software.


  • by bpzsf,

    bpzsf bpzsf Oct 9, 2016 11:10 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 9, 2016 11:10 AM in response to John Galt

    Thank you, John. I followed your suggested steps and below is a screenshot showing Launch Agents on my computer.  I'm guessing that the files from August 13 are adware. Are there any others that shouldn't be there? How do I remove them? Thank you very much for you help!Screen Shot 2016-10-09 at 10.59.03 AM.png

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Oct 9, 2016 10:53 PM in response to bpzsf
    Level 9 (50,538 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 9, 2016 10:53 PM in response to bpzsf

    Thanks.

     

    In the same manner as before, please navigate to the following folder, and take a screenshot:

     

    /Library/LaunchAgents

     

    There may be nothing in that folder, but if it contains anything please make sure the screenshot captures all its contents.


    Repeat the above with the following folder:

     

    /Library/LaunchDaemons

     

    Please post those two screenshots in a reply. The reason is to identify any additional files that may be installed in those locations.

     

    Be sure to identify which is which – capturing the entire window (including its title) will help.