Early 2011 MacBook pro running extremely slow. Ran Etrecheck.

[thechad93]

My MacBook pro has been running extremely slow the past 1-2 weeks. I get the rainbow wheel often and computer occasionally freezes. I have cleaned up all my files and have deleted all unnecessary apps. I also ran the first aid in disk utilities and the computer checked out good. I do not know much about computers and was curious what could be causing this and what are my options as far as solutions. Could it be a simple fix or should I consider buying a new MacBook or possibly upgrading the RAM and hard drive in my current MacBook? Thanks, attached the Etrecheck below.



EtreCheck version: 3.1.5 (343)

Report generated 2017-01-27 19:35:45

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 3:50

Performance: Good


Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.


Problem: Beachballing

Description:

Computer is running very slow. Beachballing very often, computer freezes from time to time.


Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

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

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-2415M) CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

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

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 702


Video Information: ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Color LCD 1280 x 800


System Software: ⓘ

macOS Sierra 10.12.3 (16D32) - Time since boot: about 3 hours


Disk Information: ⓘ

ST9320325ASG disk0 : (320.07 GB) (Rotational)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

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

Macintosh HD (disk1) / [Startup]: 318.84 GB (250.23 GB free)

Core Storage: disk0s2 319.21 GB Online


OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5970H ()


USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[not loaded] 9 Apple tasks

[loaded] 171 Apple tasks

[running] 100 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 41 Apple tasks

[loaded] 162 Apple tasks

[running] 109 Apple tasks


Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 73 build 02 (2016-02-13) Check version

FlashPlayer-10.6: 24.0.0.194 - SDK 10.9 (2017-01-10) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2017-01-13)

Flash Player: 24.0.0.194 - SDK 10.9 (2017-01-10) [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.4.4 - SDK 10.6 (2014-09-15) [Support]

PepperFlashPlayer: 24.0.0.194 - SDK 10.9 (2017-01-11) [Support]

Silverlight: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 (2013-02-21) [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-08-18)


3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player (2016-12-16) [Support]

Java (2016-02-13) [Support]


Time Machine: ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: ON

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 318.84 GB Disk used: 68.62 GB

Destinations:

My Passport for Mac [Local]

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: 0

Oldest backup: -

Last backup: -

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 68.62 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

15% mdworker(9)

6% WindowServer

3% kernel_task

1% com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent

1% fontd


Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

449 MB kernel_task

78 MB mdworker(9)

74 MB installd

74 MB assistant_service

53 MB mds_stores


Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

1.57 GB Available RAM

408 MB Free RAM

2.43 GB Used RAM

1.17 GB Cached files

97 MB Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Jan 27, 2017, 03:58:23 PM Self test - passed

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Hmm.

Is there a specific time or anything that it is happening? When you open a certain App or anything, web related etc?

Difficult to say, you're running the latest OS which is within spec for that machine, however arguably you could be running up against RAM limits if you're running modern Apps alongside it. That would be my first guess, and a RAM upgrade is very simple and cheap (Just as an example of what to look for http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Apple/macbook-pro-(13-inch,-early-2011)).

It's unlikely the speed of the HDD would be affecting things but again is possible, you could consider an SSD upgrade but I don't think it'd dramatically solve that problem.

So my guess is it's running out of RAM and that's what's slowing it down. Especially if this happens when loading an App. Try closing down every piece of software running (Including Mail), and then try to reopen an App and see if it makes a difference.

Also, looks like you're running Flash/Java etc. From my guess I'd assume you've used this machine since you brought it and have installed stuff as and when needed without removing things? Might explain why you have those on there as rarely needed these days. You could try, if you aren't using them, to uninstall each of those things and see if it makes a difference again.

 

[Altis]

Disk Information: ⓘ

ST9320325ASG disk0 : (320.07 GB) (Rotational)

There's your problem. Swap in an SSD, a fresh install of El Capitan, and you'll be on your way to the show.

I noticed major slowdowns when I upgraded my 2010 MBP to Sierra. I think El Capitan is the highest it should go.

From what I've heard, Sierra is abysmal with an HDD... almost like it assumes everyone in on SSD by now (which you should be!).

 

[ZapNZs]

Have you tried using a program such as Onyx? The mdworker process has to do with Spotlight. Perhaps reindexing the drive will help? (Onyx Automation will do this among various other tasks, such as executing scripts and dumping cache.)

I'm not familiar with the program you are using...does it have SMART capability? If not, DriveDX is a paid program but comes with a free trial. You could install it and launch the free trial to see if the hard drive might be beginning to fail.

Did this begin with the upgrade to Sierra or the upgrade to the .1/.2/.3? Or was it more progressive?

 

[thechad93]

There's your problem. Swap in an SSD, a fresh install of El Capitan, and you'll be on your way to the show.

I noticed major slowdowns when I upgraded my 2010 MBP to Sierra. I think El Capitan is the highest it should go.

From what I've heard, Sierra is abysmal with an HDD... almost like it assumes everyone in on SSD by now (which you should be!).

250gb or 500gb SSD? Would upgrading ram to 8gb help as well?

 

[Altis]

250gb or 500gb SSD? Would upgrading ram to 8gb help as well?

Upgrading to 8 GB RAM would help, but the biggest difference by far will be the SSD upgrade.

It's hard to say for sure without knowing what you do with your computer. At least with the SSD, when you run low on memory and the OS starts paging (using drives for memory), it's much quicker than HDD.

If you just use your machine for web and office type stuff, then I'd only really recommend it if the funds are easily available. If you do more multi-tasking and memory-intensive stuff, then go for it.

Macintosh HD (disk1) / [Startup]: 318.84 GB (250.23 GB free)

I'd say since you're using only 70 GB, a 250 GB SSD will be just right.

If you end up needing more storage, you can always get a drive bay to replace your DVD drive and put the HDD in as a second drive. Or you can just get a 1TB USB external drive and use that for extra storage and Time Machine backups.

 

[thechad93]

Upgrading to 8 GB RAM would help, but the biggest difference by far will be the SSD upgrade.

It's hard to say for sure without knowing what you do with your computer. At least with the SSD, when you run low on memory and the OS starts paging (using drives for memory), it's much quicker than HDD.

If you just use your machine for web and office type stuff, then I'd only really recommend it if the funds are easily available. If you do more multi-tasking and memory-intensive stuff, then go for it.



I'd say since you're using only 70 GB, a 250 GB SSD will be just right.

If you end up needing more storage, you can always get a drive bay to replace your DVD drive and put the HDD in as a second drive. Or you can just get a 1TB USB external drive and use that for extra storage and Time Machine backups.

I've been doing some research since I don't know anything lol, and I'm thinking about adding crucial 8gb RAM and a samsung 850 evo 500gb ssd. Will that work and be compatible? Would I also need something to clone the HD?

 

[Altis]

I've been doing some research since I don't know anything lol, and I'm thinking about adding crucial 8gb RAM and a samsung 850 evo 500gb ssd. Will that work and be compatible? Would I also need something to clone the HD?

RAM should be two sticks of 4 GB SO-DIMM 1333 MHz DDR3.

http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+RAM+Installation/417


A Samsung Evo 850 is good. It's SATA3 so should just swap right in where the existing drive is. Easy as pie.

http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+SSD+Installation/419


As for reinstalling the OS... There are a few ways you can do it.

The easiest way will be to take a Time Machine backup of your computer now and restore it onto the new drive.

Or you can start from scratch with a fresh OS and reinstall everything (which is sometimes a good idea). It depends on how much stuff you have installed as it can be a pain to reconfigure all the settings.

 

[thechad93]

RAM should be two sticks of 4 GB SO-DIMM 1333 MHz DDR3.

http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+RAM+Installation/417


A Samsung Evo 850 is good. It's SATA3 so should just swap right in where the existing drive is. Easy as pie.

http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+SSD+Installation/419


As for reinstalling the OS... There are a few ways you can do it.

The easiest way will be to take a Time Machine backup of your computer now and restore it onto the new drive.

Or you can start from scratch with a fresh OS and reinstall everything (which is sometimes a good idea). It depends on how much stuff you have installed as it can be a pain to reconfigure all the settings.

Awesome. Here is what I have together so far;

Samsung 850 Evo 500gb
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OBRE5UE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1333 SODIMM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTBIT4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

To install OS, would I need this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJZJI84/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thanks again for all of your help

 

[Altis]

Awesome. Here is what I have together so far;

Samsung 850 Evo 500gb
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OBRE5UE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1333 SODIMM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTBIT4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

To install OS, would I need this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJZJI84/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thanks again for all of your help

You don't necessarily need that USB to SATA connector. You can just boot to recovery mode once the new drive is installed.

There are several different ways to go about the process of reinstalling the OS and restoring your stuff.

You'll appreciate the difference in performance!

 

[thechad93]

You don't necessarily need that USB to SATA connector. You can just boot to recovery mode once the new drive is installed.

There are several different ways to go about the process of reinstalling the OS and restoring your stuff.

You'll appreciate the difference in performance!

Awesome,
anything else I should add in their while I'm on this roll? Hahahaha

 

[Altis]

Awesome,
anything else I should add in their while I'm on this roll? Hahahaha

Check on the fan and heat sink and make sure it isn't all full up of dust. I usually give mine a vacuum when I open it up.

That's really about it. Only so much you can do for upgrades, but I think you'll find it runs sweet as a nut after.

 

[thechad93]

Check on the fan and heat sink and make sure it isn't all full up of dust. I usually give mine a vacuum when I open it up.

That's really about it. Only so much you can do for upgrades, but I think you'll find it runs sweet as a nut after.

The damn thing hasn't been opened in 6 years, I'm guessing an air duster would help?
[doublepost=1485577712][/doublepost]

The damn thing hasn't been opened in 6 years, I'm guessing an air duster would help?

Check on the fan and heat sink and make sure it isn't all full up of dust. I usually give mine a vacuum when I open it up.

That's really about it. Only so much you can do for upgrades, but I think you'll find it runs sweet as a nut after.

Also, should I expect any problems during installation? They seem pretty self explanatory?

 

[jennybson]

hi, I bought a macbook pro mid 2011 second hand. it never worked very well. added memory, changed battery, new installation updates etc etc, read every forum and thread about macbook pro´s from 2011 that mysteriously just got a processor that runs super high, CPU. I also had it looked over by skilled experienced mac users, a mac support shop where I live, nothing helped, I read forums, even got rid of strange file that many discussions refered to and should have done the trick. Then, finally, I took my sons advice, and let him install windows OS (!) - then, it works fantastic, as a clock. Someone told me that it COULD have fixed the macbook by now, that this could have fixed it And thought that I should be letting it run on MacOS again (he works at schools with mac-computers) But, am using another laptop (since I got a new job and got a macbook air) So ....it is just working as a computer for looking at films right now. Maybe I will get it back on its correct OS some day and see if it is "healed". /Jen #kernaltask #kernal #cpu #macbookpro #mid2011

 

[Audit13]

hi, I bought a macbook pro mid 2011 second hand. it never worked very well. added memory, changed battery, new installation updates etc etc, read every forum and thread about macbook pro´s from 2011 that mysteriously just got a processor that runs super high, CPU. I also had it looked over by skilled experienced mac users, a mac support shop where I live, nothing helped, I read forums, even got rid of strange file that many discussions refered to and should have done the trick. Then, finally, I took my sons advice, and let him install windows OS (!) - then, it works fantastic, as a clock. Someone told me that it COULD have fixed the macbook by now, that this could have fixed it And thought that I should be letting it run on MacOS again (he works at schools with mac-computers) But, am using another laptop (since I got a new job and got a macbook air) So ....it is just working as a computer for looking at films right now. Maybe I will get it back on its correct OS some day and see if it is "healed". /Jen #kernaltask #kernal #cpu #macbookpro #mid2011

Is this a 15" MBP?