Urgent Help Please! mac meltdown!!!

[BexXx]

Hi there,

I have a macbook pro, got it just before xmas so it ain't old. The problem is it started going severely slow in the last couple of days and almost every time i click on something the loading icon will come up for a couple of minutes before i can proceed (even the simplest mouseclick sets it off).

I assumed it was to do with the storage but i checked and it's not even a third full. I ran a virus scan and it came up clear. I also ran techtool diagnostic but everything passed.

So I'm completely clueless - and now my docks disappeared (just in the last half hour).

I would really appreciate some help if anyone has any advice? I desperatel need my laptop for design work tomorrow morning:(

[Mac'nCheese]

Is it still under apple care? Give them a call if it is. And don't use antivirus programs on any macs. Not needed. Slows down your machine. Not many people here will tell you that. Not sure why, figured macheads would be proud of that fact.

[MrCheeto]

Here's a thought...

Uninstall ALL antivirus programs and NEVER install another on your mac!

Their only purpose is to bog down your computer!

NEVER install antivirus software in OS X.

[BexXx]

The only anti virus i hav is iAntivirus as a precaution seeing as it's apple's i never really thought much of it . . .

I stil hav my protection plan but i dont hav any credit to ring them or a landline phone:(

[MrCheeto]

iAntivirus should be illegal. Do you have any idea how many issues that program alone has caused? It eats up all of your CPU and memory. It's a hog.

Disable it COMPLETELY and throw it in the trash, then restart. If you no longer have issues, empty the trash and tell the software company responsible for the heap to bugger off. Apple does not make antivirus software because there is zero need for it.

[BexXx]

I did what ya said and it worked! My mac is back in perfect running order! I would NEVER have guessed that, i didn't even pay iantivirus any attention it was jus there who knew it could completely screw up your machine?! And i am going to send them a veeeery angry email i thought my laptop was gonna die.

Thank you so much!

[MrCheeto]

At the very most, you could spread the word :P Antivirus on MacOS is not only pointless, but destructive, as you experienced.

[BexXx]

Stil can't believe that could skrew up my mac so much to the point where it nearly wouldn't turn on! Took more than ten minutes to turn it on (the first time) this morning. I was about to back-up all my files, wipe the harddrive.

[Mackilroy]

Antivirus programs for the Mac are a joke. Good to hear your problems are over.

[BexXx]

It's gone again:( Took quite a while to come on and now the loading issue is back . . . I will admit it's not as bad as it was yesterday but it's still making work tough.

Any more ideas?:(

[Washac]

It's gone again:( Took quite a while to come on and now the loading issue is back . . . I will admit it's not as bad as it was yesterday but it's still making work tough.

Any more ideas?:(

I had something similar after I stupidly installed an anti virus program on a Mac, that was sometime ago when I knew no better and I have learned from it.

Even after removing it, well I thought I had, it would still bring up warnings and things.

You may have to go through the Library folders on the HD and in your account, also all all the prefs stuff, and look in your account and see what progs you have in start at boot.

This is what I did and found some files still in one or more of those areas doing their dirty work and messing with my Mac.

[BexXx]

I did a search with finder for anything and nothing came up and i looked in the various folder but didn't find anything iantivirus related.

The issue seems to get worse as the day goes on, same as yesterday.

[kellen]

Reinstall OS X. That should tell you if its a hardware/software problem. Just save your files to an external, then reinstall.

Do you have a backup where you can restore from before the antivirus install?

[BexXx]

I was trying to avoid that but doesnt look like i can. I don't hav an external harddrive so backing up 81GB of stuf on a pile of 700mb discs isnt gonna be th handiest. The diagnostics test told me that there no hardware problems.

I don't think i'd have any such backup i'm not really that good with this kind of thing.

[MrCheeto]

Try installing it again and then running the supplied iAntivirus uninstaller.

If you can't figure it out, visit the website and as on their forums.

LUL, there's even a thread on their forum titled, "DON'T use iAntivirus!"

XD

[nanofrog]

Just save the bare minimum of files that you MUST have. Secure erase the drive (single pass will suffice) or re-format. Then reinstall OS X, and restore the data you saved.

iAntivirus will be gone (never been installed as far as the current OS install is concerned), thus eliminating any issues with residual traces.

[bluskale]

why don't you open up activity monitor and see if there is any program using all of your CPU / or is there is lots of active disk activity (read/writes) going on.

[BexXx]

K, i think you're right that's what i'll havta do, unfortunately I hav a lot of must have files because of the kind of work i do large file formats and that and I'm always afraid of getting rid of something that i might end up needing several months down the line:rolleyes: I'm able to borrow a friend's harddrive tomorrow to back up files but til then i'l jus have try to put up with it till then. Definately the most frustrating computer problem i've ever had.

This is probably a pretty stupid question but how would i go about erasing or reformatting the harddrive?

[nanofrog]

This is probably a pretty stupid question but how would i go about erasing or reformatting the harddrive?
MisterMe posted this in another forum (macosx.com (http://macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/308286-pre-owned-mac-should-i-reformat.html)), so I'll quote that for you (yes, I'm lazy). :eek: :p.

There are two ways:
Each Mac ships with a System Restore disc that is specific to that model. These discs are gray in color. You may use the System Restore disc for your model to reformat the hard drive and return the computer to its as-shipped state.
Use a retail OS installation disc for an OS that is newer than the one that shipped with your computer. The dominant color of retail OS distribution discs is black. The retail disc may be used to reformat your hard drive.
At any rate, it should get you sorted (Disk Utility is where you typically find it, inclcluding the ability to secure erase). As it's the OS disk, it needs to be run from another disk; either a different OS X installation on a different drive, or from the optical drive (original disk or newer copy of OS X).

[Phantom Gremlin]

I was trying to avoid that but doesnt look like i can. I don't hav an external harddrive so backing up 81GB of stuf on a pile of 700mb discs isnt gonna be th handiest. The diagnostics test told me that there no hardware problems.

I don't think i'd have any such backup i'm not really that good with this kind of thing.

I can't believe you even said that.

You have no method of backing up? Seriously? And you use your computer for "design work"? Seriously? And you have "a lot of must have files" on it? Seriously?

What if your laptop is stolen? What if it falls off your desk and the hard drive breaks? If you can afford a Macbook Pro, then you can afford an external drive to use for backup purposes.

[BexXx]

I can't believe you even said that.

You have no method of backing up? Seriously? And you use your computer for "design work"? Seriously? And you have "a lot of must have files" on it? Seriously?

What if your laptop is stolen? What if it falls off your desk and the hard drive breaks? If you can afford a Macbook Pro, then you can afford an external drive to use for backup purposes.

Actually I can't afford an external harddrive, when I got my mac I was lucky enough to have gotten into a bit if money so I got a macbook and the rest went on rent and bills, I didn't know that I'd end up building up so much work on it because I didn't even need to bring over any files from the desktop.

[BexXx]

Anyway . . .

I reinstalled the OSX disc (it took 2 goes because it failed half way through the first time around) and, not realizing that when I chose to reformat it wouldn't actually delete anything, the problem remained.

So found on the apple help site a few may-be causes and tried couple out turned out iAntivirus was still hiding in the user start-up login deleted that and it help a little, not quite as slow but I still can't use the internet at the same time as running any programs.

[wpc33]

Anyway . . .

I reinstalled the OSX disc (it took 2 goes because it failed half way through the first time around) and, not realizing that when I chose to reformat it wouldn't actually delete anything, the problem remained.


Why do we fall down, Master Bruce?
Try it again.

[nanofrog]

Secure erase the drive (single pass will suffice), to make sure any information on the drive (iAntivirus) is wiped clean, then proceed to reinstall the OS. Again, do this from the OS disk, as the operation is on the existing OS install.

[BexXx]

It died.

Was working today and it stopped dead when I tried to open up illustrator, I waited but had to reset and it never came back on, the apple sign was replaced by a folder with a question mark.

I ended up going to the closest approved repairers I could find and they tried to reboot it but couldn't, they said the harddrive must be faulty so they're replacing it but I'll have to wait till next week to get it back. :(

I'm glad it'll be fixed properly but going without it right now is a MASSIVE pain, couldn't have chosen a worse time to happen *sighs*

Thanks anyways for everyone's help and advice, I really appreciate it!

[flatfoot]

Yupp, definitely the hard drive. The folder with the question mark means that no system can be found.
I'm not sure whether the hard drive is user accessible on your MBP but if it is, you could have swapped it yourself and saved some money.

[MrCheeto]

Nooooo!!!!

Dude!

If Apple warranty is still in effect, you ALWAYS call Apple first!

They'd replace your drive for free!!

Oh boy :(

Oh well, if you live in America, you could ship me the old drive and I could try some repair utilities and ship it back. At least then, you'd have a Time Machine drive, :P

[BexXx]

I wasn't gonna touch it myself wouldn't risk voiding the warranty, it's only six months old (if even) and i got the protection plan so apple will be footing the bill for the replacement hard drive. Surprised me though, I was always told mac's were very reliable.

I'm quite a way from America, Ireland actually, but that woulda been handy to have. I've learnt my lesson though, next bit of cash I get gonna pick up an external, right now all my stuff off the hard drive is lying around on several sd cards and memory sticks and a few dvd-r's which is very unpractical and took a hell of a long time to do.

[gorjan]

i got the protection plan so apple will be footing the bill for the replacement hard drive

Did you send the Mac to an Apple service center or Apple store? You can't have the Mac fixed at an unaffiliated store, pay for the repair and send the bill to AppleCare.

[MrCheeto]

Um....any Apple repair center should transfer all of your information from the old drive.

It wasn't Apple. Yet again, it was one of the OEM's like Hitachi and LG dropping the ball. Oh yeah, and providers that shall remain nameless.

[arogge]

Actually I can't afford an external harddrive

You could afford to buy that "anti-virus" software, so you can afford a hard drive. How much money is it going to cost you when your Mac decides to eat your data? Consider the problems that you are having now. What if you lose this broken Mac and need to move to a new computer? How long will that take you and how much money is at risk? A $100 investment in an external backup drive can save your job.

[MrCheeto]

That reply, and several others, are on the brink of being both insulting and condescending. There's no need for this on a forum where people turn for help.

[arogge]

That reply, and several others, are on the brink of being both insulting and condescending. There's no need for this on a forum where people turn for help.

What reply? Telling somebody that he'd better make a little investment in some data backup insurance before a bad Mac costs him many times that amount in losses? Maybe you've never had that horrified feeling when your Mac decides to stop working and all of your data is trapped on its hard drives or is lost permanently.

[Gloor]

I feel that OP is not telling the complete truth. If the MP is new then its under warranty so why going to someone else? If he is in Ireland then its very easy to buy external drive and those are ridiculously cheap. I used to work in Ireland so I know how expensive things are especially booze so presuming that OP is under 40 then I'm sure he enjoyes going out few times a month. In that case he can miss one out and buy the drive. I don't think he is at home the whole time and really that poor not to be able to get one.

Its all about priorities. If he wants help then he should show that he does indeed want one and not to make excuses why something is not possible. If he is not willing to get external drive for back ups nor is he going to use DVD's to back up nor is he going to ask around his friends if someone has spare HDD he could borrow then he does NOT want the help that much.

Let him do it his way and give advice to those people that really need it and really appreciate it.
I believe that OP is either not legit or is too lazy to even accept the help people are giving here.

[BexXx]

I feel that OP is not telling the complete truth. If the MP is new then its under warranty so why going to someone else? If he is in Ireland then its very easy to buy external drive and those are ridiculously cheap. I used to work in Ireland so I know how expensive things are especially booze so presuming that OP is under 40 then I'm sure he enjoyes going out few times a month. In that case he can miss one out and buy the drive. I don't think he is at home the whole time and really that poor not to be able to get one.

Its all about priorities. If he wants help then he should show that he does indeed want one and not to make excuses why something is not possible. If he is not willing to get external drive for back ups nor is he going to use DVD's to back up nor is he going to ask around his friends if someone has spare HDD he could borrow then he does NOT want the help that much.

Let him do it his way and give advice to those people that really need it and really appreciate it.
I believe that OP is either not legit or is too lazy to even accept the help people are giving here.

Please think twice before you make comments like that, you don't know a person's situation so you can't say anything, you're just coming across as a complete idiot. And that anti-virus program was free. I'm a college student who only recently gotten work in the design industry, living away from home with bills to pay and expenses to cover. It's enough to have a mac in the first place. There's no point buying an external hard drive if my electricity gets cut off so I wouldn't be using it anyway.

I brought it to an approved repairer authorised by apple so I don't have to worry about more than the petrol costs there:o

[arogge]

I'm a college student who only recently gotten work in the design industry, living away from home with bills to pay and expenses to cover. It's enough to have a mac in the first place.

Your situation can be understood enough from the comments that you have made, and there is nothing really special about having a Mac that you bought from a regular store. You are taking a big risk by not having a way to fall back on a data backup. I bought an external hard drive for less than $75, and it has saved me from data-loss disasters several times. The losses caused by not having that backup would have amounted to more than $2,500 per incident, figuring in the lost computer time, labor costs, delays in production, and general frustration at having to rework everything again.

Regular Macs are not reliable enough to be working without a data redundancy. You may have noticed that there is a data-loss liability waiver that you have to agree to when a repair shop is trying to fix a bad Mac. There is no guarantee that you will not lose your data. If you can reformat your hard drive and not notice that anything is missing, then okay, you don't need a backup. If, however, the data on it is worth more than the cost of an external backup, you are taking a big risk with your job by not having that backup.

[Gloor]

As I said before. I feel that you are too comfortable to actually do anything about it. Same goes with the priorities - you just recently got work in design industry but you still lack the drive to back up regularly etc.
I feel that your desire to improve your situation is very very low.
That is my opinion and I do not want to evolve as I can see that you would only make excuses.


Please think twice before you make comments like that, you don't know a person's situation so you can't say anything, you're just coming across as a complete idiot. And that anti-virus program was free. I'm a college student who only recently gotten work in the design industry, living away from home with bills to pay and expenses to cover. It's enough to have a mac in the first place. There's no point buying an external hard drive if my electricity gets cut off so I wouldn't be using it anyway.

I brought it to an approved repairer authorised by apple so I don't have to worry about more than the petrol costs there:o

[BexXx]

As I said before. I feel that you are too comfortable to actually do anything about it. Same goes with the priorities - you just recently got work in design industry but you still lack the drive to back up regularly etc.
I feel that your desire to improve your situation is very very low.
That is my opinion and I do not want to evolve as I can see that you would only make excuses.

I'm sorry to keep this going but I just find your comments completely arrogant and stupid, like seriously have you know clue about the real world? It's idiots like you that really get my blood boiling. Too comfortable to do anything about it? That's a joke. Like seriously as much as a person desires to improve their situation it ain't always that easy and I've come a hell of a long way but by the sounds of it you've been handed everything on a silver platter so you wouldn't really have a clue about that kinda stuff.

I was a bit of a fool to not have got an external when I had the chance but when I probably could've I didn't need it and I'm not the wisest on this stuff, if it was of very high importance I was always under the impression it could be recovered by the experts (my brother works with pc's building and repairing them and he's done that kinda thing for friends with pc's but he doesn't really do mac's). I've learnt my lesson though ;)

[BexXx]

Got my macbook back today. In the end it turned out it wasn't the hard drive that was the problem, it was the wire connected to my hard drive. Apparently the issue wasn't a very common one. It was replaced anyway, my hard drive still in tact the way i left it.

[arogge]

It was replaced anyway, my hard drive still in tact the way i left it.

You got lucky this time. Don't expect that luck to hold out, especially if you are in the habit of installing software patches from Apple. After several data disasters, one involving a bad "security" update from Apple, I have learned to follow a rule: Backup your data before you lose it!