Several applications suddenly not working properly at once

[Landy-man]

Hi,

I've run into some quite big problems with my 2009 13" MBP (8gb ram, 2.26 GHz, all updates installed).

Today I noticed Safari wouldn't connect to websites that used the HTTPS protocol; I would just get a screen saying "Safari can't create a secure connection...." or something like that. Normal websites work fine. Then I noticed the iTunes store didn't work (probably because of the same problem that's causing secure websites not to work)
But then it gets weird: iTunes also gives me several error messages about it not being able to save the library file (error code -50 if I remember correctly). And while this is all happening Disk Utility won't open either, it just bounces on the dock. Also just now I noticed Safari won't download anything.
These are the problems I've run into at the moment, but I have a feeling more applications won't work either.

The weird thing is all of the problems start acting up at the exact same time, without any particular trigger that I've noticed.
When I restart my Mac everything goes back to normal: I can visit secure websites, I can open Disk Utility and fix permissions etc etc. But after half an hour or so the same problems come back.

I've tried to repair Disk Permissions, reset Safari and restarted the MBP several times, but nothing works. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary with the MBP except for installing a Java update a few days ago. I thought that might be the cause and deleted Java completely, but still no luck; the same problems still persist.

I couldn't find any similar problems on Google, and I really need help. Safari not visiting secure websites is a real pain, since Facebook, Google etc etc all use https.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Weaselboy]

Try a command-r boot to recovery and from there start Disk Utility and do a verify disk to see if disk errors are reported.

The fact Disk Util won't even start maybe points to developing drive problems.

 

[Landy-man]

Try a command-r boot to recovery and from there start Disk Utility and do a verify disk to see if disk errors are reported.

The fact Disk Util won't even start maybe points to developing drive problems.

I think you might be right. When everything starts acting up, I can't create files, move anything to the trash etc. So there's something definitely wrong with writing to the disk. I guess connecting to HTTPS websites needs to access something from the disk and that's why they don't work.

I started Disk Utility from the install DVD, but it didn't find anything. Repaired the Disk and Disk permissions anyway. Still no luck.

Does Apple Hardware Test check the hard drive as well if I give that a try?

But I guess I need to start looking for a new HD, or a new Mac completely. This old MBP already has a broken optical port and a dead battery, so getting a new HD feels a bit like kicking a dead horse.

 

[satcomer]

I think you might be right. When everything starts acting up, I can't create files, move anything to the trash etc. So there's something definitely wrong with writing to the disk. I guess connecting to HTTPS websites needs to access something from the disk and that's why they don't work.

I started Disk Utility from the install DVD, but it didn't find anything. Repaired the Disk and Disk permissions anyway. Still no luck.

Does Apple Hardware Test check the hard drive as well if I give that a try?

But I guess I need to start looking for a new HD, or a new Mac completely. This old MBP already has a broken optical port and a dead battery, so getting a new HD feels a bit like kicking a dead horse.

If you plan to keep that Mac then consider replacing the dead optical drive with a OWC Data Doubler and make yourself your very own Fusion Drive.

 

[Weaselboy]

Does Apple Hardware Test check the hard drive as well if I give that a try?

No, but it is worth trying anyway as it tests for memory issues. Sometimes bad RAM can cause these data loss issues also, although it is less common than a drive failure. Also could be a bad drive cable... also not very common.

 

[Landy-man]

No, but it is worth trying anyway as it tests for memory issues. Sometimes bad RAM can cause these data loss issues also, although it is less common than a drive failure. Also could be a bad drive cable... also not very common.

Ok, I'll give it a try. The hard drive cable was changed not too long a ago, so I doubt it's the cause.