How To Fix MacOSX Yosemite 10.10 Memory Leaks via SMC and PRAM Resets

Published Date Author: , Posted January 4th, 2018 at 5:08:16pm

I was running out of memory constantly on Yosemite 10.10.5 and found the following article:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/26929324?start=555&tstart=0
Edited and reposted without permission below…

  1. Disconnect any external or secondary monitors, if any is present. The video memory allocation leak can also happen if you have a system with an integrated card, like Intel, with no external monitors attached.
  2. Shut down your machine and enter Safe Mode (press shift once you turn on your computer again More Info: How to access Safe Mode)
  3. In safe mode, fix your disk permissions.
  4. From Safe Mode turn off your machine again and reset your System Management Controller (SMC). There are different methods, depending on machine, to do this. To know what method applies to yours read the following guide: Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

    These are the steps I followed to reset the SMC for my iMac 5K:

    • Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
    • After your Mac shuts down, unplug the power cord.
    • Wait 15 seconds.
    • Plug the power cord back in.
    • Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
  5. Once your machine completes a full boot after resetting the SMC turn it off again and reset your PRAM (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP, BUT THE PREVIOUS ONES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THIS ONE TO WORK). The PRAM stores small bits of data that indicate our Apple computer how to interact with the devices connected to it, including monitors and video cards. It also affects software.
  6. To reset it you should hold the OPTION, COMMAND, P and R keys in your keyboard immediately after turning on your machine again.You’ll hear the start up chime, continue pressing the keys until the machine boots and the chime starts A SECOND TIME, then release. IF YOUR YOSEMITE INSTALLATION LOCKS UP AT A BLACK SCREEN AFTER THIS, DONT PANIC! It’s normal, just turn off your computer and let it boot again.
  7. Once you have fully booted, reconnect your external displays.

More info about PRAM: OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM
 
 

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