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Level 1

8 points

Very slow IMac running High Sierra 10.13.3.

I have attached a copy of the EtreCheck report. Can you help me understand the top 5 things I can do to make the machine run faster and stop the beach balling. I understand that I should purchase RAM. With this age of machine would it be substantially more beneficial to purchase a newer model? Thank you.

EtreCheck version: 4.1 (4A162)

Report generated: 2018-03-07 12:29:53

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 25:20

Performance: Poor

Problem: Computer is too slow

Description:

Including frequent beachballing.

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

No uptime - No system uptime found.

No operating system found - Unable to determine operating system version.

Poor performance - EtreCheck report took over 10 minutes to run. This is very unusual.

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems.

Upgradeable RAM - This machine has upgradeable RAM that would help its performance.

Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.

Unsigned files - There is unsigned software installed. It appears to be legitimate but should be reviewed.

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

Hardware Information:

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

iMac Model: iMac12,2

1 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-2400) CPU: 4-core

4 RAM At maximum

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1

Empty

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1 GB

iMac 2560 x 1440

Drives:

disk0 - ST31000528AS 1.00 TB (Mechanical)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB

disk0s2 - Macintosh HD (Journaled HFS+) 999.35 GB

disk0s3 - Recovery HD [Recovery] 650 MB

disk1 - Seagate Backup+ Desk 4.00 TB

External USB 480 Mbit/s

disk1s1 262 KB

disk1s3 - S***********************e (Journaled HFS+) 4.00 TB

Mounted Volumes:

disk0s2 - Macintosh HD 999.35 GB (431.36 GB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /

disk1s3 - S***********************e 4.00 TB (2.77 TB free)

Journaled HFS+

Mount point: /Volumes/S***********************e

Network:

Interface en1: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n

One IPv4 address

Interface Fitbit: Fitbit Base Station

Interface en0: Ethernet

Interface en5: iPhone

Interface fw0: FireWire

Interface en4: Bluetooth PAN

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

iCloud Quota: 75.22 GB available

System Software:

()

Time since boot:

System Load: 2.82 (1 min ago) 2.41 (5 min ago) 2.01 (15 min ago)

Security:

System	Status
Gatekeeper	Mac App Store and identified developers

Unsigned Files:

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.avast.userinit.plist

Executable: /Library/Application Support/Avast/hub/userinit.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avast.home.userinit.plist

Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/Avast/hub/userinit.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.fitbit.fitbitd.plist

Executable: /usr/local/bin/fitbitd

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

Executable: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Resources/Java Updater.app/Contents/MacOS/Java Updater -bgcheck

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist

Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.yourcompany.RemoveAlert.plist

Executable: /Applications/Presto! PageManager 9.08/Presto! PageManager 9 XE.app/Contents/MacOS/Utilities/RemoveAlert.app/Contents/MacOS/RemoveAlert

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.avast.uninstall.plist

Executable: /Library/Application Support/Avast/hub/autouninstall.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

Executable: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Resources/Helper-Tool

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.brother.LOGINserver.plist

Executable: /Library/Printers/Brother/Utilities/Server/LOGINserver.app/Contents/MacOS/LOGIN server

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.hopster.couponprinter.plist

Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/Hopster/CouponPrinter/CouponPrinter

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avast.osx.secureline.home.userinit.plist

Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/AvastSecureLine/hub/userinit.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.avast.init.plist

Executable: /Library/Application Support/Avast/hub/init.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.avast.update.plist

Executable: /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/update/update.sh

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/com.epson.epw.agent.plist

Executable: /Library/Printers/EPSON/InkjetPrinter/EPW/IJEPWAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/IJEPWAg ent

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.amazon.music.plist

Executable: /Applications/Amazon Music.app/Contents/MacOS/Amazon Music Helper

Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK

Kernel Extensions:

/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/signed

[Loaded] AvastFileShield.kext (AVAST Software a.s., 4.0.0 - SDK 10.12)

/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/signed

[Loaded] AvastPacketForwarder.kext (AVAST Software a.s., 2.1 - SDK 10.12)

/System/Library/Extensions

[Not Loaded] Seagate Storage Driver.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.6 (26977) - SDK 10.4)

[Not Loaded] SiLabsUSBDriver.kext (1.1.2 - SDK 10.4)

/System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[Not Loaded] SeagateLeafPowSecDriver_10_4.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.6 (26977) - SDK 10.4)

[Not Loaded] SeagateLeafPowSecDriver_10_5.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.6 (26977) - SDK 10.5)

[Not Loaded] SeagateDriveIcons.kext (Seagate Technologies LLC, 5.2.6 (26977) - SDK 10.4)

System Launch Agents:

[Not Loaded]	8 Apple tasks
[Loaded]	164 Apple tasks
[Running]	117 Apple tasks
[Other]	One Apple task

System Launch Daemons:

[Not Loaded]	35 Apple tasks
[Loaded]	178 Apple tasks
[Running]	119 Apple tasks
[Other]	One Apple task

Launch Agents:

[Loaded]	com.avast.userinit.plist (? bb25154c - installed 2017-12-20)
[Not Loaded]	com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? ffb65062 - installed 2015-03-03)
[Running]	com.epson.scannermonitor.plist (Seiko Epson Corporation - installed 2017-06-06)
[Loaded]	com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (? 15e1efad - installed 2017-07-21)
[Loaded]	com.epson.esua.launcher.plist (Seiko Epson Corporation - installed 2017-09-27)
[Running]	com.avast.update-agent.plist (AVAST Software a.s. - installed 2017-12-20)
[Running]	com.epson.epw.agent.plist (? 7c4cf380 - installed 2008-06-17)
[Running]	com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist (Seiko Epson Corporation - installed 2017-06-05)
[Running]	com.brother.LOGINserver.plist (? a1772de2 - installed 2016-10-16)
[Running]	com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist (EPSON - installed 2015-01-19)
[Running]	com.epson.ecrp.launcher.plist (Seiko Epson Corporation - installed 2017-07-24)
[Running]	com.yourcompany.RemoveAlert.plist (? 80c83204 - installed 2013-01-04)

Launch Daemons:

[Loaded]	com.avast.uninstall.plist (? 22f94791 - installed 2017-12-20)
[Loaded]	com.avast.init.plist (? fc55b6fa - installed 2017-12-20)
[Loaded]	com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2018-02-01)
[Running]	com.fitbit.fitbitd.plist (? 59ccac83 - installed 2011-05-25)
[Loaded]	com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (? 6d8cb30e - installed 2011-03-10)
[Loaded]	com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (? e3fefdd2 - installed 2017-07-21)
[Running]	com.fitbit.galileod.plist (Fitbit, Inc. - installed 2017-10-12)
[Running]	com.avast.update.plist (? 5c6ac355 - installed 2017-12-20)

User Launch Agents:

[Loaded]	com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2018-02-03)
[Loaded]	com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2017-08-10)
[Loaded]	com.avast.home.userinit.plist (? 0 - installed 2017-12-20)
[Loaded]	com.hopster.couponprinter.plist (? 0 - installed 2015-09-15)
[Other]	com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-dls1215@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist (? 0 - installed )
[Running]	com.amazon.music.plist (? 0 - installed 2017-07-18)
[Loaded]	com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (? 0 - installed 2015-03-02)
[Loaded]	com.avast.osx.secureline.home.userinit.plist (? 0 - installed 2017-09-15)

User Login Items:

Launch Nikon Message Center 2 Application

(/Applications/Nikon Software/Nikon Message Center 2/Nikon Message Center 2.app/Contents/SharedSupport/Launch Nikon Message Center 2.app)

Dropbox Application

(/Applications/Dropbox.app)

6H4HRTU5E3.com.avast.osx.secureline.avastsecurelinehelper SMLoginItem (installed 2017-09-13)

(/Applications/AvastSecureLine.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/6H4HRTU5E3.com.av ast.osx.secureline.avastsecurelinehelper.app)

Internet Plug-ins:

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 3.0.0.126 (installed 2012-10-28)

FlashPlayer-10.6: 28.0.0.161 (installed 2018-02-06)

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2018-01-31)

Flash Player: 28.0.0.161 (installed 2018-02-06)

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.3.6 (installed 2013-07-24)

Silverlight: 5.1.50901.0 (installed 2017-05-13)

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 144 build 01 (installed 2017-10-06)

User Internet Plug-ins:

ZoomUsPlugIn: 4.0.38982.0714 (installed 2017-09-21)

Safari Extensions:

Evernote Web Clipper.safariextz - Evernote Corp. - http://evernote.com (installed 2018-02-06)

Save to Pocket.safariextz - Read It Later, Inc. - http://getpocket.com/ (installed 2015-11-07)

AnyList Recipe Import.safariextz - AnyList - https://www.anylistapp.com (installed 2015-01-27)

Pin It Button.safariextz - Pinterest, Inc. - http://www.pinterest.com/ (installed 2016-07-02)

wrc.safariextz - AVAST Software - http://www.avast.com (installed 2014-07-22)

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player (installed 2018-02-01)

Flip4Mac WMV (installed 2012-09-14)

Java (installed 2017-10-06)

Seagate Dashboard for Mac OSX (installed 2015-04-01)

WDQuickView (installed 2015-10-01)

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: No

Mobile backups: No

Auto backup: Yes

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB - Disk used: 567.98 GB

Destinations:

S***********************e [Local] (Last used)

Total size: 4.00 TB

Total number of backups: 162

Oldest backup: 2015-05-16 16:51:23

Last backup: 2018-03-07 09:57:31

Top Processes by CPU:

Process (count)	Source	% of CPU
Mail	Apple	10
WindowServer	Apple	5
kernel_task	Apple	2
hidd	Apple	2
RemoveAlert	1

Top Processes by Memory:

Process (count)	Source	RAM usage
kernel_task	Apple	526 MB
mdworker (21)	Apple	276 MB
Mail	Apple	166 MB
com.apple.WebKit.WebContent (2)	Apple	131 MB
mds_stores	Apple	98 MB

Top Processes by Network Use:

Process	Source	Input	Output
com.avast.proxy	AVAST Software a.s.	21 MB	105 KB
mDNSResponder	Apple	956 KB	60 KB
Dropbox	71 KB	122 KB
CalendarAgent	Apple	124 KB	7 KB
apsd	Apple	28 KB	26 KB

Top Processes by Energy Use:

Process (count)	Source	Energy usage (0-100)
WindowServer	Apple	3
PrinterProxy	1
syspolicyd	Apple	1
d02199-001	1
RemoveAlert	1

Virtual Memory Information:

Available RAM	686 MB
Free RAM	34 MB
Used RAM	3.33 GB
Cached files	652 MB
Swap Used	2 MB

Clean up:

~*********************************************************5@m******************* ************t

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/OSServices.framewor k/Versions/A/Support/CSConfigDotMacCert

Executable not found

Diagnostics Information (past 7 days):

2018-03-07 09:53:12 Safari.app Hang

2018-02-28 13:56:40 CalendarAgent Crash

End of report

iMac, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3)

Posted on Mar 7, 2018 1:07 PM

Reply

Best reply

Level 10

361,741 points

Posted on Mar 7, 2018 1:16 PM

Insufficient RAM for all the stuff you are running. Uninstall the AVAST software. It isn't needed. Don't run the coupon software until you need it. Why is there a launch item for a Brother printer when all you appear to be using is Epson?

A Troubleshooting Protocol to Identify Problems or Fix macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.

Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.

Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
Disconnect all third-party peripherals and remove any support software like drivers and plug-ins.
Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Combo Update as needed.
Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:

Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.

When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Ways to help make a slow Mac faster

17 Reasons Why Your Mac Runs Slower Than it Should
Slow Mac Performance? This Article Solves It!
Fix slow start-ups in OS X | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews
How to fix slow shutdown and startup times. | MacTip.net
6 Easy Tips to Speed Up OS X Yosemite on Your Mac
OS X El Capitan- If your Mac runs slowly
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Performance
Tips to Fix Issues that affect Mac Performance
Avoid using any third-party cleanup software. Usually, this software does more bad than good. You don't need it. All computers become slower over time even under normal use. Experienced users erase the hard drive and do a clean install from scratch from time to time; or whenever installing a major OS upgrade. Doing so means you must maintain regular and multiple backups.
If you have enabled iCloud Disk and are storing your Documents and Data in iCloud, then consider turning that off and signing out of iCloud. It can slow down the computer considerably. Please see the following from the user, fotomac: "The solution was to SIGN OUT of iCloud and my problem STOPPED! NO MORE SPINNING BEACHBALL! My computer's speed increased to what it should be and all my Apps now work!"
Add more RAM or cut back on the number of concurrently running applications and utilities. Remove unnecessary anti-malware software and any software that promises to clean your Mac. Check for runaway processes: Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity. Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on dealing with The Spinning Beach Ball of Death.
The Ultimate Fix: Backup everything, erase the drive, reinstall OS X, and restore your data from the backup. Reinstall third-party software from original media/scratch.

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Similar questions

4 replies

Best reply

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 7, 2018 1:16 PM in response to Dls1215

Insufficient RAM for all the stuff you are running. Uninstall the AVAST software. It isn't needed. Don't run the coupon software until you need it. Why is there a launch item for a Brother printer when all you appear to be using is Epson?

A Troubleshooting Protocol to Identify Problems or Fix macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.

Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.

Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
Disconnect all third-party peripherals and remove any support software like drivers and plug-ins.
Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Combo Update as needed.
Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:

Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.

When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Ways to help make a slow Mac faster

17 Reasons Why Your Mac Runs Slower Than it Should
Slow Mac Performance? This Article Solves It!
Fix slow start-ups in OS X | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews
How to fix slow shutdown and startup times. | MacTip.net
6 Easy Tips to Speed Up OS X Yosemite on Your Mac
OS X El Capitan- If your Mac runs slowly
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Performance
Tips to Fix Issues that affect Mac Performance
Avoid using any third-party cleanup software. Usually, this software does more bad than good. You don't need it. All computers become slower over time even under normal use. Experienced users erase the hard drive and do a clean install from scratch from time to time; or whenever installing a major OS upgrade. Doing so means you must maintain regular and multiple backups.
If you have enabled iCloud Disk and are storing your Documents and Data in iCloud, then consider turning that off and signing out of iCloud. It can slow down the computer considerably. Please see the following from the user, fotomac: "The solution was to SIGN OUT of iCloud and my problem STOPPED! NO MORE SPINNING BEACHBALL! My computer's speed increased to what it should be and all my Apps now work!"
Add more RAM or cut back on the number of concurrently running applications and utilities. Remove unnecessary anti-malware software and any software that promises to clean your Mac. Check for runaway processes: Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity. Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on dealing with The Spinning Beach Ball of Death.
The Ultimate Fix: Backup everything, erase the drive, reinstall OS X, and restore your data from the backup. Reinstall third-party software from original media/scratch.

Reply

Level 10

140,580 points

Mar 7, 2018 1:16 PM in response to Dls1215

Your system has multiple issues, the first thing I see is you have Avast antivirus installed. At best this (and all other AV apps) is totally worthless and at worst it may have damaged Mac OS. Please locate the developers instructions to uninstall and follow them. Then restart in Safe Mode and re-test. Mac OS does not require or benefit from ANY third party AV app, it extremely secure and only needs to be kept up-to-date to remain so. Mac OS does not require any AV, cleaning or ANY third party "maintenance" apps.

As you mentioned the computer does need more RAM, at a minimum 8GB however I'd probably go to 12 or 16GB. If you choose to upgrade it most experienced users on these forums only recommend Crucial (buy it direct) or www.macsales.com RAM because iMacs are sensitive to using quality RAM and both vendor supply that, have excellent service and their prices are reasonable.

Finally, if the HD is original it could also be a suspect. After remove the AV app, upgrading the RAM performance should improve. If it does not then consider replacing the HD with a SSD, again I'd recommend www.macsales.com for a kit. Any third party AASPs can install this for you.

Reply

Level 1

8 points

Mar 7, 2018 1:15 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you!

Reply

Level 1

8 points

Mar 11, 2018 2:18 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you. Very much appreciated!

Reply

Very slow IMac running High Sierra 10.13.3.

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