Widgets can cause system slowdown, crashes after Safari 3.1
Remove and add back one-by-one.
Safari 3.1 is a broad-reaching update that replaces not only the Safari application itself, but also the underlying WebKit framework upon which various other applications rely. One prominent area of trouble after the update is that of Dashboard Widgets, some of which can cause a spike in processor usage (from DockSyncClient and other processes) grinding system operation to a near halt (remember, use Activity Monitor as a diagnostic whenever inexplicable slowdown occurs), or unexpected quits from the Dashboard process.
The solution for this problem, as in many other troubleshooting situations that involve arrayed components, is to simply disable close all Dashboard Widgets then launch the Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities) and type the following command:
- killall Dock
The Dock should restart, and the original issues eliminated. You can now launch Dashboard Widgets one-by-one. When the issue resurfaces, you've found your culprit.
Problems have been reported with:
- Radar in Motion
- Harmonic (a purportedly problem-solving edition has now been released)
- Various WebClips generated by Safari
- Currency
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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