1tb hdd very slow on MacBook pro 2009 5,4 2.53ghz/8gb ram

[guy2k]

Recently upgraded ram (fr 4gb) and hdd (fr 250gb) and have had constant periodical spinning wheel (every few mins) a few months since. Reverting to old ram is no help - figure its not ram. Guessing hdd is too big (9.5mm 5400 wd Scorpio blue). Resigned to replacing it unless any suggestions otherwise? If I do replace would a 750gb 7200rpm make a big difference? Any suggestions on largest hdd that might retain speed and battery life? Not up for ssd yet $ wise. Seems the seagate xt 50% ssd's run hot and burn battery - or am I wrong there?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[GGJstudios]

Recently upgraded ram (fr 4gb) and hdd (fr 250gb) and have had constant periodical spinning wheel (every few mins) a few months since. Reverting to old ram is no help - figure its not ram. Guessing hdd is too big (9.5mm 5400 wd Scorpio blue). Resigned to replacing it unless any suggestions otherwise? If I do replace would a 750gb 7200rpm make a big difference? Any suggestions on largest hdd that might retain speed and battery life? Not up for ssd yet $ wise. Seems the seagate xt 50% ssd's run hot and burn battery - or am I wrong there?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Your problems may or may not be hardware related. If you're having performance issues, this may help:

Performance Tips For Mac OS X​

 

[guy2k]

Your problems may or may not be hardware related. If you're having performance issues, this may help:

Performance Tips For Mac OS X​

Thank you for that and the promptresponse. I have done many of those things but will try some of those I haven't. Mostly I just closed any unnecessary processes. It was often usable if on one app but switching would trigger delays. Just clean reinstalled and wasn't even able to register for this forum the wheel spun so often. Had to switch to iPad.

 

[guy2k]

Thank you for that and the promptresponse. I have done many of those things but will try some of those I haven't. Mostly I just closed any unnecessary processes. It was often usable if on one app but switching would trigger delays. Just clean reinstalled and wasn't even able to register for this forum the wheel spun so often. Had to switch to iPad.

Any further ideas from anyone?

 

[Interstella5555]

Any further ideas from anyone?

Is it 7200 or 5400?

 

[robvas]

Any further ideas from anyone?

Open the console and look for any messages that are related to the drive. A dying hard drive could fill your logs with errors.

 

[magbarn]

What's your sata speed interface on system profiler? From what I remember about my 2009 mbp was that it had issues running at sata II speeds (reported as 3.0 Gbps in osx). There was a firmware patch that forced the drives to run at 1.5 Gbps instead. Possibly your new hdd doesn't like to run at that speed. I personally would've put a ssd in the there and use an optibay to run a regular hdd.

 

[quasinormal]

I have a Samsung 1tb drive in a early 2011 15". i had similar issues to you, until i upgraded to 8gb of RAM, although lately I've noticed some excessive beachballing at times. The app, Drive Genius, has given me a few pop ups saying i need to back up as it detecting bad sectors on the drive. I'm just hoping it holds out till the SSD i ordered arrives.

The stock WD 750Gb 5400rpm hd in the 15" that was reinstalled on a early 2011 13" seems a fair bit faster than the 1Tb.

 

[guy2k]

Is it 7200 or 5400?

It's a 5400 wd Scorpio blue 9.5mm

 

[guy2k]

There are a few errors in console since booting this morning:

24/07/12 10:22:50.846 AM WindowServer: kCGErrorFailure: Set a breakpoint @ CGErrorBreakpoint() to catch errors as they are logged.
24/07/12 10:22:50.854 AM loginwindow: Login Window - Returned from Security Agent
24/07/12 10:22:50.883 AM loginwindow: USER_PROCESS: 50 console
24/07/12 10:22:50.958 AM airportd: _doAutoJoin: Already associated to “Frogs”. Bailing on auto-join.
24/07/12 10:22:51.872 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.ReportCrash) Falling back to default Mach exception handler. Could not find: com.apple.ReportCrash.Self
24/07/12 10:22:51.876 AM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua: load: option requires an argument -- D
24/07/12 10:22:51.876 AM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua: usage: launchctl load [-wF] [-D <user|local|network|system|all>] paths...
24/07/12 10:22:52.248 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.launchctl.Aqua[117]) Exited with code: 1
24/07/12 10:22:52.683 AM UserEventAgent: CaptiveNetworkSupport:CNSServerRegisterUserAgent:187 new user agent port: 28191
24/07/12 10:22:53.477 AM com.apple.mtmfs: /var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/T//mtmfsMap45
24/07/12 10:22:55.070 AM com.apple.dock.extra: 2012-07-24 10:22:55.064 com.apple.dock.extra[143:1707] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.069 AM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.070 AM com.apple.dock.extra: 2012-07-24 10:22:55.069 com.apple.dock.extra[143:1707] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.071 AM com.apple.dock.extra: 2012-07-24 10:22:55.070 com.apple.dock.extra[143:1707] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.072 AM com.apple.dock.extra: 2012-07-24 10:22:55.070 com.apple.dock.extra[143:1707] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.070 AM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.070 AM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:55.071 AM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication
24/07/12 10:22:59.000 AM kernel: CODE SIGNING: cs_invalid_page(0x1000): p=164[GoogleSoftwareUp] clearing CS_VALID
24/07/12 10:23:02.882 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-stellamorphous@me.com-SharedServices[165]) Exited with code: 1
24/07/12 10:23:11.793 AM com.apple.launchd: (com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication[108]) Exit timeout elapsed (20 seconds). Killing
24/07/12 10:23:12.763 AM mds: (Error) Backup: Couldn't stat source path '/Users//Library/Saved Application State/com.apple.finder.savedState/window_26.data' -- importing from backup path instead
24/07/12 10:23:12.780 AM mds: (Error) Backup: Couldn't stat source path '/private/var/db/BootCaches/775701D2-2BCD-492F-A7C8-655ECD171B03/Merged.playlist' -- importing from backup path instead
24/07/12 10:23:50.717 AM com.apple.SecurityServer: Failed to authorize right 'system.install.app-store-software' by client '/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PackageKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/installd' [194] for authorization created by '/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app' [190]
24/07/12 10:23:50.717 AM com.apple.SecurityServer: Failed to authorize right 'system.install.software' by client '/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PackageKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/installd' [194] for authorization created by '/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app' [190]
24/07/12 10:23:53.170 AM com.apple.SecurityServer: Session 100007 created
24/07/12 10:23:58.480 AM com.apple.SecurityServer: Session 100006 created
24/07/12 10:24:06.375 AM diskmanagementd: DM ->T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: inHostDiskUDS=0x10e785c20=disk0s2=PABLO inWhatStr=RecoveryInfoBaseSystemVersion
24/07/12 10:24:06.500 AM diskmanagementd: DM ..T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: did get booterRecoveryUDS=0x10e785ae0=disk0s3=Recovery HD
24/07/12 10:24:06.765 AM diskmanagementd: DM ..T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: did mount nobrowse; MP=/Volumes/Recovery HD OMS=0x10e51ef30
24/07/12 10:24:06.765 AM diskmanagementd: DM ..T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: getting dict from file=/Volumes/Recovery HD/com.apple.recovery.boot/SystemVersion.plist
24/07/12 10:24:06.785 AM diskmanagementd: DM ..T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: got dict (or NULL=will return err): oooInfoDict=0x7f9331d03780
24/07/12 10:24:06.812 AM fseventsd: Logging disabled completely for device:1: /Volumes/Recovery HD
24/07/12 10:24:07.597 AM diskmanagementd: DM ..T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: did if-needed-best-effort unmount
24/07/12 10:24:07.597 AM diskmanagementd: DM <-T-[DMToolBootPreference recoveryPartitionInfoForVolume:what:dict:]: retErr=0 outInfoDict={
ProductBuildVersion = 11E53;
ProductCopyright = "1983-2012 Apple Inc.";
ProductName = "Mac OS X";
ProductUserVisibleVersion = "10.7.4";
ProductVersion = "10.7.4";
}
24/07/12 10:24:11.794 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.mdworker.pool.0) Throttling respawn: Will start in 5 seconds
24/07/12 10:25:23.444 AM com.apple.backupd: Starting standard backup
24/07/12 10:25:25.257 AM com.apple.backupd: Error -35 while resolving alias to backup target
24/07/12 10:25:25.000 AM kernel: nspace-handler-set-snapshot-time: 1343089527
24/07/12 10:25:57.350 AM com.apple.backupd: Backup failed with error: 19
24/07/12 10:31:23.949 AM [0x0-0x1e01e].com.google.Chrome: [239:-1396043072:562529264291:ERROR:resource_bundle.cc(98)] Failed to load
24/07/12 10:31:23.949 AM [0x0-0x1e01e].com.google.Chrome: Some features may not be available.
24/07/12 10:31:23.949 AM [0x0-0x1e01e].com.google.Chrome: [239:-1396043072:562529380730:ERROR:resource_bundle.cc(98)] Failed to load
24/07/12 10:31:23.949 AM [0x0-0x1e01e].com.google.Chrome: Some features may not be available.
24/07/12 10:31:24.000 AM kernel: CODE SIGNING: cs_invalid_page(0x1000): p=241[ksadmin] clearing CS_VALID
24/07/12 10:31:24.000 AM kernel: CODE SIGNING: cs_invalid_page(0x1000): p=242[ksadmin] clearing CS_VALID
24/07/12 10:31:24.667 AM [0x0-0x1e01e].com.google.Chrome:

----------

What's your sata speed interface on system profiler? From what I remember about my 2009 mbp was that it had issues running at sata II speeds (reported as 3.0 Gbps in osx). There was a firmware patch that forced the drives to run at 1.5 Gbps instead. Possibly your new hdd doesn't like to run at that speed. I personally would've put a ssd in the there and use an optibay to run a regular hdd.

It appears link speed is 3gb/s -

NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

Vendor: NVidia
Product: MCP79 AHCI
Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Negotiated Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

WDC WD10JPVT-16A1YT0:

Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,204,886,016 bytes)
Model: WDC WD10JPVT-16A1YT0
Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WX51C1239189
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Rotational Rate: 5400
Medium Type: Rotational
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
disk0s1:
Capacity: 209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
BSD Name: disk0s1
Content: EFI

 

[xlii]

I have the very same drive installed in my 13" mbp 2009 model and it has worked very well for the last year or so it has been in. You might just have a bad drive or the problem might lie else ware.

If you have the original drive you might want to reinstall it to see if the problem goes away. That would tell you if it is the drive or is it something else.

Here is my drive info to compare with yours:


NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

Vendor: NVidia
Product: MCP79 AHCI
Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Negotiated Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

WDC WD10JPVT-00A1YT0:

Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,204,886,016 bytes)
Model: WDC WD10JPVT-00A1YT0
Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WX91A61R3438
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Rotational Rate: 5400
Medium Type: Rotational
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
disk0s1:
Capacity: 209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
BSD Name: disk0s1
Content: EFI
Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 909 GB (908,999,983,104 bytes)
Available: 216.34 GB (216,336,084,992 bytes)
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s2
Mount Point: /
Content: Apple_HFS
Recovery HD:
Capacity: 650 MB (650,006,528 bytes)
BSD Name: disk0s3
Content: Apple_Boot
BOOTCAMP:
Capacity: 90.34 GB (90,344,259,584 bytes)
Available: 55.39 GB (55,393,337,344 bytes)
Writable: Yes
File System: Tuxera NTFS
BSD Name: disk0s4
Mount Point: /Volumes/BOOTCAMP
Content: Microsoft Basic Data

 

[guy2k]

I have a Samsung 1tb drive in a early 2011 15". i had similar issues to you, until i upgraded to 8gb of RAM, although lately I've noticed some excessive beachballing at times. The app, Drive Genius, has given me a few pop ups saying i need to back up as it detecting bad sectors on the drive. I'm just hoping it holds out till the SSD i ordered arrives.

The stock WD 750Gb 5400rpm hd in the 15" that was reinstalled on a early 2011 13" seems a fair bit faster than the 1Tb.

I find it gets a little better over time but I think its more that I just resign myself to the otherwise infuriating situation.

I've bought a Momentus XT 750gb - will install today and see if the hybrid factor and the shift from 8mb to 32mb cache makes a difference. If magbarn is correct the Momentus might struggle also if this model mbp only wants to run at 1.5gbps. Hopefully thats not the case.

 

[magbarn]

I find it gets a little better over time but I think its more that I just resign myself to the otherwise infuriating situation.

I've bought a Momentus XT 750gb - will install today and see if the hybrid factor and the shift from 8mb to 32mb cache makes a difference. If magbarn is correct the Momentus might struggle also if this model mbp only wants to run at 1.5gbps. Hopefully thats not the case.

It depends. There's no rhyme or reason why some of the 2009-2010 mbp would run well at 3gbps, while another with the exact same config with constantly beachball. There's a long thread buried in this forum somewhere detailing this. Some have had success swapping in a 2011 cable.

 

[Rajpdx]

I find it gets a little better over time but I think its more that I just resign myself to the otherwise infuriating situation.

I've bought a Momentus XT 750gb - will install today and see if the hybrid factor and the shift from 8mb to 32mb cache makes a difference. If magbarn is correct the Momentus might struggle also if this model mbp only wants to run at 1.5gbps. Hopefully thats not the case.

Hybrid or cache shouldn't make any difference.

No reason at all the 2009 MBP can't run a SATA 2 drive in the main bay. I've put plenty in.

The issue can only be the actual drive itself or the model of the drive.

If the issue manifests itself with another Western Digital Blue, the problem is with that model. If not, then it's the one that you had.

From memory the Western Digital Blue works fine with the 2009 MBP - so my money is on your particular drive - I'd get it swapped out.

 

[guy2k]

Thanks everyone. Upgraded to the 750gb momentus xt and it's zipping along again. The wd Scorpio blue seems to be working ok as an external. Its been $180 more han i hoped to spend but I guess you can never have too many drives. thanks again for everybody's suggestions.

 

[kappaman210]

I've had nothing but headaches recently with that WD10JPVT drive. I was using it in my optibay and it would spin down completely every 8 or 10 seconds (when not in use). Then there would be about a 4 second delay / lag when starting a song in itunes or opening any file on the hard drive as the drive spun back up.

I got a replacement and it did the same exact thing, so I ended up getting a different drive. It's just such aggressive power management and HPARM didn't help. Might have been what your problem was?