Torrenting causing computer problems?

[mecolema]

I recently downloaded uTorrent, and downloaded only one or two items before I noticed my computer slowing down. I have antivirus software, and it didn't report any issues, but my browser in particular was really slow (I use Firefox).

I've deleted uTorrent and all the associated downloads. But when I open Firefox, it often freezes the computer. And I mean actually freezes it — when I Force Quit the browser, I get the rainbow wheel of death and I have to force a shutdown.

But it's not just Firefox. This happens with Safari too. And I've redownloaded Firefox but it doesn't help.

What could be causing this? Maybe it's not a torrent issue at all. But it's strange that it affects all of my browsers.

(Also, I bought a brand new harddrive and 4GB ram recently, so it's not your typical "slow computer" issue.)

 

[ECUpirate44]

Did you download something illegally that has malware on it? Unlikely but possible. Look at your activity monitor to find out what bogging it up.

 

[mecolema]

Good call! There's something called "Firefox Plugin Process (Shockwave Flash)(202)" with a high % CPU. I don't know what it is or how to remove it (aside from temporarily quitting it in Activity Monitor).

Thoughts?

 

[ECUpirate44]

Good call! There's something called "Firefox Plugin Process (Shockwave Flash)(202)" with a high % CPU. I don't know what it is or how to remove it (aside from temporarily quitting it in Activity Monitor).

Thoughts?

Make sure it isn't one of your login items. Then check the application support folder for rouge .plist files. I forget the path, but it can be easily googled.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Good call! There's something called "Firefox Plugin Process (Shockwave Flash)(202)" with a high % CPU. I don't know what it is or how to remove it (aside from temporarily quitting it in Activity Monitor).

Thoughts?

That's Flash running in Firefox, that is not malware. What did you download with uTorrent? Deleting uTorrent (and associated files) really doesn't matter if you downloaded something and installed it.

Come clean, what did you install if you want any real help? If not, then do a reinstall of OS X and let us know.

 

[mecolema]

Haha, I'll come clean. I didn't download any software, only a few videos (all of which have been deleted.)

Oh, but one thing that's been worrying me is this plugin called Codec-M. I actually downloaded it several months ago, but I learned recently that it's malware (my virus barrier picked it up and supposedly deleted it). Could that be the issue? But I don't know why it wasn't slowing things down before.

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Also, I've got lots of .plist files. Should I delete all of them? I noticed some of them were associated with that Codec-M malware...

 

[ECUpirate44]

Haha, I'll come clean. I didn't download any software, only a few videos (all of which have been deleted.)

Oh, but one thing that's been worrying me is this plugin called Codec-M. I actually downloaded it several months ago, but I learned recently that it's malware (my virus barrier picked it up and supposedly deleted it). Could that be the issue? But I don't know why it wasn't slowing things down before.

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Also, I've got lots of .plist files. Should I delete all of them? I noticed some of them were associated with that Codec-M malware...

Yep, trash em and reboot.

 

[mecolema]

Apparently .plist files aren't the problem. I deleted all of them and was still able to reproduce the problem.

This is what usually happens:

1. I turn on the computer
2. I open Firefox
3. I search something in the Google sidebar
4. The rainbow wheel of death appears
5. I wait but the rainbow doesn't go away
6. I pull up the Force Quit menu
7. I tell Firefox to Force Quit
8. Nothing happens
9. I have to force a shutdown (by holding the power button for 10 seconds).

I'm realizing that maybe this is a Firefox problem after all… but I've tried redownloading it and that doesn't help.

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I've also reverted to older versions of Firefox (e.g., FF 3.6), but that doesn't fix things either.

 

[sdawgisinthebui]

Cache

Have you tried deleting the firefox folder manually from your cache? I believe its under Mozilla. Just trash that and try.

 

[mecolema]

I've tried deleting my cache, and I've tried reinstalling Firefox itself. Neither make much difference…

I do notice that the problem usually happens when I'm searching on the Google sidebar. I wonder why that would be a problem.

 

[sdawgisinthebui]

Unistall

Here is another tip.
Believe it or not when you drag Firefox to your trash it is actually not 100% deleting it. There are still files hidden deep away in your library. When you reinstall firefox it uses the files from the old firefox. To completely unistall firefox download App Clean http://www.freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/ App Cleaner is simple to use. Just drag firefox to it and click delete and its gone! Let us know if that works.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Be careful with "cleaner" apps. I've always had problems with them deleting too much.

 

[ndavid126]

Be careful with "cleaner" apps. I've always had problems with them deleting too much.

Like what? I have used App Cleaner for over a year and its been great.

 

[mecolema]

I fixed the problem! All I had to do was reset Firefox:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems

(This was after I downloaded the most recent version, Firefox 13.0, which might also have helped.)