Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

OS X slowing down over time

ProwlingTiger

ProwlingTiger

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 15, 2008
1,337
226
As a dual-system user (Lion and Win 7), I must say that with OS X, I don't feel the need to do a full wipe/reinstall every year like I do with Windows. But I ran Leopard for a year or so until Snow Leopard, did an upgrade install. Then installed Lion, also via upgrade install. After a while I had to restore to Lion from my Time Machine backup due to a kernel panic issue. So in over 3 years, I've never done a clean reinstall of OS X.

Having said that, OS X does slow over time. I've resigned myself to the fact that all operating systems do. Sure, some diehard fanboys will argue against that, but whatever. Recently, I deleted a bunch of apps that I no longer need. I upgraded all my apps and system software. And I deleted a couple large caches. I have about 30% disk space free when I'm on the road, 45% after I offload a bunch of stuff to my desktop rig.

So my question: is it time to finally do a full, clean reinstall? Or is there any program that anyone uses that goes through the filesystem and wipes crap I don't need? I remember the days when Safari used to start in under 2 seconds, now it takes a while.

I don't believe the specs of my system matter, as it used to be fine with the current specs, but for what it's worth: early-2008 Macbook 2.4ghz 160GB 2GB RAM

Thanks in advance,
Dan
 
simsaladimbamba said:
With Lion, more RAM will do you good, you can get up to 6 GB for that model, but maybe 4 GB should suffice.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know more RAM is always good (I have 16GB in my main rig), but I was kinda hoping to do this without upgrading. Like I said, everything used to run fine with just 2GB. I'm honestly planning on upgrading to a new Macbook Pro sometime next year, so I don't want to put any more $$$ in this machine.
 
For performance issues, there are a few things you can check:
  • Check your Login Items under System Preferences > Accounts to see what you have automatically launching.
  • Also check /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Users/yourusername/Library/LaunchAgents/ for items launching at startup
  • Look at what widgets you may have running.
  • Launch Activity Monitor and change "My Processes" at the top to "All Processes". Then look to see what may be consuming system resources.
  • Take a look at the System Memory tab at the bottom of Activity Monitor to see if you have excessive "page outs", a sign that you may benefit from more RAM.
  • Make sure you're not running any 3rd party antivirus app, as many of those will drain resources, reducing performance. They're not needed to protect your Mac.
 
GGJstudios said:
For performance issues, there are a few things you can check:
  • Check your Login Items under System Preferences > Accounts to see what you have automatically launching.
  • Also check /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Users/yourusername/Library/LaunchAgents/ for items launching at startup
  • Look at what widgets you may have running.
  • Launch Activity Monitor and change "My Processes" at the top to "All Processes". Then look to see what may be consuming system resources.
  • Take a look at the System Memory tab at the bottom of Activity Monitor to see if you have excessive "page outs", a sign that you may benefit from more RAM.
  • Make sure you're not running any 3rd party antivirus app, as many of those will drain resources, reducing performance. They're not needed to protect your Mac.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude, I'll give that a go.
 
rhimbo said:
OK, I'm sure this is a stupid question so your mercy is requested.

Where is the Activity Monitor on OS X 10.6.8? I'm trying to monitor my system 'cause I see some slowness recently...

Many thanks,
Click to expand...

Finder > Applications folder (CMD+SHIFT+A) > Utilities folder (CMD+SHIFT+U) > Activity Monitor.
Or you could use Spotlight (CMD+SPACE) to search for it.

To learn more about Mac OS X:
 
GGJstudios said:
In your /Applications folder. Or just Command-Spacebar to open Spotlight search, and type "Activity Monitor".
Click to expand...

OK, I'm a moron. I was looking in the Utilities folder but just didn't see it. How embarrassing.

Thank you....
 
rhimbo said:
OK, I'm a moron. I was looking in the Utilities folder but just didn't see it. How embarrassing.

Thank you....
Click to expand...

Then you may have moved it, as I use 10.6.8 and all Mac OS X versions I have used (from 10.2 to 10.7) have Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder.
2011_11_24_pA1_ActivityMonitor_location.png
 
Sorry, my ambiguous English... it is in my Utilities folder!

simsaladimbamba said:
Then you may have moved it, as I use 10.6.8 and all Mac OS X versions I have used (from 10.2 to 10.7) have Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder.
Click to expand...

Sorry, my ambiguous English....

What I meant was that when I first looked in the Utilities folder (before posting my question) I didn't see it -- I just overlooked it I guess. Perhaps it didn't catch my eye because I was looking for something along the lines of "Performance..." monitoring.

But it is indeed in the Utilities folder! Thanks for taking the time to post the screen shot....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back