Slow Macbook, etrecheck help!!

[dienastyy]

Hey Macrumors

First time post here. I own a Mid-2010 macbook pro 13-inch. I have a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. 4 GB 2067 MHz DDR3 memory.

I'm looking to speed up my laptop a bit as it has slowed down over time. I downloaded etrecheck and was hoping someone could help diagnose some of my issues. Thanks!

EtreCheck version: 2.9.12 (265)

Report generated 2016-05-10 19:01:32

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 5:24

Performance: Below Average



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 (13-inch, Mid 2010)

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

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro7,1

1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 709


Video Information: ⓘ

NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800


System Software: ⓘ

OS X El Capitan 10.11.4 (15E65) - Time since boot: about 2 days


Disk Information: ⓘ

TOSHIBA MK2555GSXF disk0 : (250.06 GB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 249.20 GB (157.65 GB free)

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


MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898 ()


USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Card Reader

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad


Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


Startup Items: ⓘ

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite


System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 151 Apple tasks

[running] 80 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 48 Apple tasks

[loaded] 155 Apple tasks

[running] 85 Apple tasks


Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.hp.quick.connect.software.agent.plist (2007-12-28) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2014-07-30) [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist (2012-09-27) [Support]


Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-15) [Support]

[not loaded] com.barebones.bbedit.plist (2010-12-07) [Support]

[not loaded] com.barebones.textwrangler.plist (2011-11-20) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2014-07-30) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist (2014-08-11) [Support]

[loaded] net.sourceforge.MonolingualHelper.plist (2014-07-29) [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist (2012-09-27) [Support]


User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2011-09-12) [Support]

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


User Login Items: ⓘ

HP Scheduler Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)


Other Apps: ⓘ

[loaded] 427 Apple tasks

[running] 187 Apple tasks


Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 40 (2015-03-25) Check version

FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-05-10) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-03-12)

GameFacePlugin: GameFacePlugin 1.5.3.0 - SDK 10.5 (2011-11-29) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 10.1.2 (2014-05-07) [Support]

Flash Player: 21.0.0.226 - SDK 10.6 (2016-05-10) [Support]

Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-03-12)

Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-16) [Support]

DirectorShockwave: 12.1.7r157 - SDK 10.6 (2015-02-05) [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (2010-09-04)



User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

Unity Web Player: UnityPlayer version 2.6.1f3 (2012-08-28) [Support]



Safari Extensions: ⓘ

Adblock Plus - Eyeo GmbH - https://adblockplus.org/ (2016-05-08)


3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player (2016-04-15) [Support]

Java (2015-03-25) [Support]

Secrets (2012-07-29) [Support]


Time Machine: ⓘ

Time Machine not configured!



Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

43% mds_stores

32% mdworker(21)

20% mds

14% suggestd

4% securityd_service


Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

533 MB kernel_task

303 MB mdworker(22)

184 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

156 MB mds_stores

135 MB Safari


Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

227 MB Free RAM

4.03 GB Used RAM (1.32 GB Cached)

71 MB Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

May 10, 2016, 06:52:59 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/suggestd_2016-05-10-185259_[redacted].crash

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreSuggestions.framework/Versions/A/Support/suggestd

May 8, 2016, 06:39:22 PM Self test - passed

 

[pastrychef]

Replace the hard drive with an SSD and max out the RAM. Performance will improve tremendously.

 

[JohnDS]

The references to MDWorker and MDStores indicate that you are having a problem with Spotlight indexing.

There are several possibilities. If you are using DropBox, Spotlight can be slow indexing over the internet. Try going to System Prefs and go to Spotlight. Click on the Privacy Tab. Then click the + button and add your DropBox to the privacy tab which will stop Spotlight from indexing the Dropbox.

Also, add any network drives to Privacy.

Finally, if you have more than one User set up on the computer, add the home folder for the User that is NOT logged in to the Privacy tab.

See if that solves your problem.

 

[richard2]

Try deleting your system volume's Spotlight database:

Note: The following procedure must be performed on an OS X user account that has administrative privileges.

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter the following:
   
   sudo mv /.Spotlight-V100 "${HOME}/.Trash"
3. Enter your OS X user account password if you're prompted to.

 

[dienastyy]

Thanks for the responses, I did all of the following and it helped a slight bit. I have the mid-2010 macbook 13" 7,1 so I just purchased a 16gb ram upgrade. That should help as well. I'll probably upgrade the hd to a ssd somewhere in the future.

 

[charlyham]

Thanks for the responses, I did all of the following and it helped a slight bit. I have the mid-2010 macbook 13" 7,1 so I just purchased a 16gb ram upgrade. That should help as well. I'll probably upgrade the hd to a ssd somewhere in the future.

When you do drop an SSD in there you are going to wonder why you didn't do it sooner. I have a mid 2010 macbook (white) that i put an EVO 850 250gb ssd in and this thing flies compared to the old spinner.

 

[glenthompson]

It doesn't look like memory is a significant bottleneck so you might not see that much improvement from an upgrade. As mentioned, the SSD upgrade will make the most difference. They have gotten much less expensive so it's almost a mandatory upgrade.

On another note, it says that Time Machine is not configured. How are you making backups today? Your drive is at an age where you can almost expect it to fail.

 

[dienastyy]

It doesn't look like memory is a significant bottleneck so you might not see that much improvement from an upgrade. As mentioned, the SSD upgrade will make the most difference. They have gotten much less expensive so it's almost a mandatory upgrade.

On another note, it says that Time Machine is not configured. How are you making backups today? Your drive is at an age where you can almost expect it to fail.

Would you guys recommend doing 8gb ram and a ssd upgrade now as opposed to a 16gb ram upgrade now and ssd upgrade later?

What's a good recommendation for a ssd upgrade?

 

[pastrychef]

Would you guys recommend doing 8gb ram and a ssd upgrade now as opposed to a 16gb ram upgrade now and ssd upgrade later?

What's a good recommendation for a ssd upgrade?

Yes, 8GB and an SSD now is preferable.

Samsung SSDs a probably the most popular. Personally, I've always used Crucial SSDs.

 

[glenthompson]

Would you guys recommend doing 8gb ram and a ssd upgrade now as opposed to a 16gb ram upgrade now and ssd upgrade later?

What's a good recommendation for a ssd upgrade?

Not just yes but hell yes!

I've been happy with my Samsungs but Crucial is also good. Easy swap in your machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
I, too, have a mid-2010 MacBook Pro.

The most important thing you can do...
... let me repeat and shout, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO...
... is to replace the current platter-based HDD with an SSD.

You will be amazed at the difference this alone will make.

This takes about 15 minutes, provided you use the right tools (Phillips #00 drive and a TORX T-6 driver).
See the installation guide here:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Replacement/4305

I suggest you also buy a USB3 enclosure for the old drive, like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Tool-Free-Enclosure-UASP/dp/B00FCLG65U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463066119&sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+2.5"+usb3+uasp

As for WHICH SSD to buy, you don't have to spend extra for the top-of-the-line models, because a mid-2010 MacBook Pro has only SATA-2 and can't support the full speeds that the expensive SSDs will give you.

I'd suggest a Crucial or a "Sandisk Plus". Either will do you well.

 

[chrfr]

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 40 (2015-03-25)
AdobePDFViewer: 10.1.2 (2014-05-07)
DirectorShockwave: 12.1.7r157 - SDK 10.6 (2015-02-05)

This isn't related to your slowness, but all three of these are seriously out of date and have significant security vulnerabilities. I'd strongly suggest either uninstalling or updating all of them.

 

[dienastyy]

Does someone have a link to a recommended ssd?
Should I get 500gb or is 250gb sufficient?

 

[Weaselboy]

Does someone have a link to a recommended ssd?
Should I get 500gb or is 250gb sufficient?

Here is a link to the Samsung EVO 850 that is pretty popular. The size question is one only you can answer depending on how much personal data you have. I have a 128GB drive that is not even half full, so the 250GB would be just fine for me.

It looks like you are using less than half your current 250GB drive, so unless you plan on adding a bunch of large files to fill it up, I would guess a 250GB SSD would do the trick for you.

 

[dienastyy]

Here is a link to the Samsung EVO 850 that is pretty popular. The size question is one only you can answer depending on how much personal data you have. I have a 128GB drive that is not even half full, so the 250GB would be just fine for me.

It looks like you are using less than half your current 250GB drive, so unless you plan on adding a bunch of large files to fill it up, I would guess a 250GB SSD would do the trick for you.

I've seen some really good reviews from that and am gonna pull the trigger on the 250GB. What do i need for installation like transferring all my documents and such.

 

[Weaselboy]

I've seen some really good reviews from that and am gonna pull the trigger on the 250GB. What do i need for installation like transferring all my documents and such.

You will need a Phillip size 00 screwdriver to open the case. Then a Torx #6 driver to move the drive mounting screws from the old drive to the new. Then an external enclosure (something like this one) to put the old drive in.

Put the new drive in the Mac and button it up then the old drive in the enclosure and hold the option key to boot to the enclosure. The use Disk Utility to erase the new drive to Mac OS Extended Journaled. Then you can use the free 30 day trial of Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the old drive to the new.

Then restart while holding the option key and this time select the new SSD as the boot drive. Lastly go into System Preferences in the Startup Disk pane and set the new SSD as the boot disk.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP asks:
"What do i need for installation like transferring all my documents and such."

Get the external enclosure I linked to in reply #11 above, costs only $15 or so.

I would recommend that you "prep and test" the new SSD using the external enclosure BEFORE you "do the drive swap". Things can go much easier this way, especially if you encounter any problems.

If you're satisfied with the content of your existing HDD (that is, satisfied with the OS, don't need to make any major changes to your home folder, etc.), I would recommend using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to clone the contents of the HDD to the new SSD.

I prefer CCC because it will also clone over your recovery partition, as well.
CCC is FREE to download and it's FREE to use for the first 30 days.
It will "do the job" quickly and easily.

TEST your new drive BEFORE you swap it by booting from the external enclosure.
Reboot and hold down the option key until the startup manager appears, then select the external drive (SSD) and hit return.

The Mac should boot and run from the external enclosure.

Take a GOOD LOOK all around to assure yourself that things are as you like them.

NOW it's time to "do the drive swap".

You can put the old drive into the enclosure, and do as you wish with it.
I'd re-initialize it, and again use CCC to "reclone" from the SSD back to the HDD...