Kernel_task issue?

I have a 2014 macbook pro, 2.5 GHz i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, running Mavericks (10.9.5). Since I've had it, kernel_task has always run less than 100MB with no programs running, and always less than 200MB even with several running at the same time. Today, however, it' suddenly started running at 691MB when no programs or apps are running (and slowly climbing). I restarted it, but it hasn't changed yet. Since it's never done this before, I'm inclined to think there's a problem somewhere, but I'm no expert. Is it normal for it to use up that much RAM even when no programs/etc are running? If so, why was it always so low before?
The kernel_task CPU usage is minimal so far (1.1%), and I haven't experienced any issues yet. I prefer to be proactive, though, and if it's a sign that a problem could be brewing I want to get it checked out now rather than waiting for it to become a problem.
Any info/advice would be helpful.
Thanks.

Similar Messages

Kernel_task hogging my CPU, over 300%

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone can help me solve an issue with my mac.
I noticed that my kernel_task was really draining my CPU, hogging around 300%, barely leaving around 2% of RAM for the user. After doing a bit of research I found that kernel_task basically manages a load of extensions for your hardware and system programs.
Here's some pieces that i've learnt about the issues, as well as the steps that i've taken so far to try to resolve it.
- When I boot in safe mode the computer performs well, suggesting this could be a 3rd party extension issue
- Created a user profile, where the issue still occurs suggesting this is a 3rd party system extension
- Re-installed OSx to see if that would help it - nope
- Deleted the majority of my 3rd party apps, one by one to see if these were the issue. Still not fixed it as yet.
- I've not added any new RAM recently - I'm aware this can be a common cause of kernel_task issues
When I restart here's what the console is saying...
29/01/12 6:24:07 PM
[0x0-0xa00a].com.apple.iTunes[114]
error initializing gpu library
29/01/12 6:24:07 PM
[0x0-0xa00a].com.apple.iTunes[114]
AppleGVA:: Error creating the accelerator 1
29/01/12 6:25:15 PM
com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[90]
([0x0-0x34034].com.freemacsoft.AppCleaner[243]) Exited: Killed
29/01/12 6:27:01 PM
com.freemacsoft.appcleanerd[271]
Appcleanerd started successfully.
29/01/12 6:27:15 PM
com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[90]
([0x0-0x8008].com.apple.universalaccess[101]) Exited: Killed
29/01/12 6:27:15 PM
com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[90]
(com.apple.AirPortBaseStationAgent[112]) Exited: Killed
29/01/12 6:27:33 PM
com.apple.launchd[1]
*** launchd[1] has started up. ***
29/01/12 6:27:44 PM
com.freemacsoft.appcleanerd[44]
Appcleanerd started successfully.
29/01/12 6:28:23 PM
com.apple.WindowServer[69]
Sun Jan 29 18:28:23 Christopher-Edens-MacBook-Pro.local WindowServer[69] <Error>: kCGErrorFailure: Set a breakpoint @ CGErrorBreakpoint() to catch errors as they are logged.
Any help that you can give me is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Chris

MacBook Pro early 2011 2.3 GHz Core i7, 10.6.8. It had been running fine since I got it, but a month ago it started having those fits of sluggishness that many have described on this thread. Within a few days it was almost impossible to work on it. Activity Monitor was telling me two things: 1. iTunes was taking over 100% of CPU power — this was resolved as I have explained here:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17681010
(note that I hadn't been aware that it was a thread dedicated to "iTunes for Windows" when I posted it).
2., Activity Monitor kept on showing peaks of anything between 500 and over 700% of CPU use by the kernel_task process, especially when watching full-screen videos on the external Cinema Display, when Firefox had many open tabs, when Spotlight indexing of a 1Tb external HD was going on, or when the battery was getting loaded.
A complete cache cleanup with Onyx did help briefly, but immediately after applying the latest firmware update, I was back to point zero.
Thanks to someone else's post, I followed another line of thought: the kernel_task process was maybe revving up because the CPU was getting too hot. It then took a bit more detective work and trial and error to figure that there was a vicious circle of sorts: kernel_task was going wild because it wanted to cool the CPU down, somehow, but its own hyperactivity was contributing to keeping the CPU overloaded.
The next logical step was to open the case (MBP switched off of course, and with due respect to all other precautions — iFixIt screwdriver kit highly recommended), only to find out that there was plenty of dust inside there, especially on both fans. I "scanned" the whole of it with the vacuum-cleaner's crevice nozzle, cautiously keeping it at a distance of 3-4 cm above the board (thus avoiding touching any electronic part). But I did apply the nozzle against the fans (one at a time), in such a way that the very suction had them rotate at high speed, and until all the dust was removed from them.
That was three weeks ago, and ever since my MBP has again been running like when it was born and purring like a happy kitten. Now the kernel_task process seldom runs over a single-digit percentage.
There seems to be a machine-specific aspect to all of this, though. Barely a meter away in this same office, there is a MBP, 3.06 Gb Intel Core 2 Duo, that is one year older, but otherwise with the same specs and setups, except for the fact that it has two external screens connected to it, not just one (but it's hardly ever used for heavy video streaming). Moreover, the resident cat shows a propensity to use its keyboard as a sleeping pad. We opened it too, and it had slightly less dust then the newer machine, still enough to make it worth vacuum-cleaning. Yet, this older MBP has never showed a sign of heating up and/or of CPU slowdown. Go figure…

Kernel_task on CPU, MacPro

Plenty of threads on the kernel_task issue, even here. But most of them are on MacBooks, and seem to think it is heat related. I see this issue twice a month or so, on a MacPro.
10.8.2
# top -u
PID
COMMAND
%CPU TIME
#TH   #WQ #PORTS #MREGS RPRVT RSHRD RSIZE
0
kernel_task 400.7 109 hrs 91/12 0
2
737
25M
0B
1018M
54170 top
21.5 00:00.63 1/1   0
24+
36+
3056K+ 220K- 3812K+
22871 seamonkey
12.1 05:40:20 31/1 3
363-   18285- 754M- 156M- 1176M-
50207- iTerm
9.9   18:26:24 8/2   4
171-   383-   36M-   28M-   65M-
Brendans hotkernel say:
mach_kernel`pmap_remove_range
8   0.1%
mach_kernel`0xffffff801a921080
10   0.1%
mach_kernel`lck_mtx_lock
22   0.2%
mach_kernel`pmap_flush_tlbs
37   0.4%
mach_kernel`_rtc_nanotime_read
55   0.6%
mach_kernel`machine_idle
4182 42.3%
mach_kernel`ml_set_interrupts_enabled
5408 54.7%

The kernel is using excessive processor cycles. Below is a partial list of causes for this condition.
Thermal overload
This can be due to accumulation of dust, high ambient temperature, or to the malfunction of a cooling fan or temperature sensor. The kernel tries to compensate by throttling back the CPU's. You might see messages like the following in the Console window:
SMC::smcHandleInterruptEvent WARNING status=0x0 (0x40 not set) notif=0x0
The timestamps of those messages (if any) indicate the times, since the log was last cleared, when a processor was being throttled because of high temperature.
Note that if the problem is caused by a faulty sensor that reads too high, there may be no actual overheating.
The Apple Hardware Test, though not very reliable, is sometimes able to detect a bad fan or temperature sensor.
Using Apple Hardware Test
Encryption
Transferring large amounts of data to or from an encrypted disk image or FileVault volume puts an extra load on the kernel. If both the source and the destination are encrypted, the load may be doubled. If you transfer data from an encrypted disk image on an encrypted partition to another such image on another encrypted partition, the load may be quadrupled.
This issue probably doesn't affect late-model Macs with an Intel i-series, recent Xeon, or later processor. Those processors support hardware-accelerated encryption. You can determine what kind of processor you have by selectingAbout This Mac from the Apple menu in the menu bar.
Installed software
User-installed software that includes a device driver or other kernel code may thrash the kernel. Some system-monitoring applications, such as "iStat," can also contribute to the problem. You can test for this possibility bycompletely disabling or removing the software according to the developer's instructions, or booting in safe mode (with the shift key held down at the startup chime.) Note, however, that disabling a system modification without removing it or booting in safe mode may not be as easy as you think it is.
Corrupt NVRAM or SMC data
In some cases the issue has reportedly been resolved by resetting the NVRAM or the SMC.

Has there been a fix for the dreaded kernel_task eating up all CPU problem yet???

Since I bought this pile of garbage in 2011 and went overseas I've been struggling with it. This kernel_task issue is completely insane and a lot of pepole experience it as well, so has Apple released a fix or has anyone figured out a proper way to get rid of it?

I have this same issue on my iMac after an upgrade. My girlfriend's iMac (same model) was unaffected. So the problem seems to affect random machines of all ages and types. I have a solution but not a fun one.
@ScottC75 : The CPU percentage shows what % of an individual core is being used. If you have a multi-core chip (which most Macs do) this can go above 100%
I've read *a lot* of forums on this kernel_task problem with people spouting quite a lot of rubbish.
I first tried everything listed on forums: reinstalling OS X, removing kexts (that apparently stop your computer from overheating), new RAM, tidying up the computer. None of it worked.
One guy said he took three trips to the Apple Store, having his MBP sent off each time; eventually they gave him a brand new MBP of the latest spec. That might be the option for you but I didn't want to be without my computer for that time.
Finally, I did a complete wipe of my Mac. If you boot using the backup partition, or using a USB with an OS X Install on it, the option to 'reinstall' or 'install a new OS X' does not wipe your computer. Once it has finished, you will have all your files and applications still. This did not fix my computer. Instead, you must use Disk Utility first to wipe you Macintosh HD partition and then install. Then you Mac acts like it's brand new. Only this fixed the problem. The massive downside is that I had to backup everything and reinstall all my apps.
This is a drastic measure, and you run the risk of forgetting to backup all the stuff you want. It did work though and was ultimately quicker than going to the Apple Store (even if I might have got a new computer out of it).
In summary, to fix this problem:
1. I backed up all my files onto an external hard drive!
2. I booted up to the recovery screen (Command + R or hold the option key at bootup)
2. In Disk Utility, I 'erased' my 'Macintosh HD' partition
4. Back on the main recovery screen, I chose to (Re)install OS X.

CPU kernel_task Usage Rendering MacBook Pro Unresponsive

For about a month I’ve been having issues with my office setup when docking/undocking my 15-inch 2012 MacBook Pro. As soon as I launch a couple of applications (Adobe Muse, Photoshop, Parallels, etc.) kernel_task begins eating up all the CPU threads, rendering the MBP unresponsive and nearly inoperable. I have been using my dasiy chain setup for over a year w/out issue prior to a month ago.
Steps I’ve taken to resolve the problem:
Resetting PRAM
Resetting SMC
Disconnecting Peripherals
Results from the steps seem to work for a little while, then the problem returns. The one caveat to that is – the kerenal_task ramps up CPU even when all peripherals are disconnected. I’ve been cautious of contacting Apple Support for assistance, as I’ve been unable to replicate the issue on demand. kernel_task just happens, and happens right in the middle of me doing something important. This makes me believe my hardware has become faulty or I’ve recently installed some software that is affecting the functionality of the MBP. Which isn’t a huge deal, I just want to resolve/pinpoint my issue so I can address it.
In researching the problem I’ve found the following threads that I believe are similar to what I’m experiencing. Posts by Linc Davis have been extremely helpful, I just can’t seem to put a finger on my specific problem:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/22529264#22529264
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4817768?start=0&tstart=0
Any and all suggestions/assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Note: Set up – MBP > Thunderbolt Display > Seagate GoFlex Desk Thunderbolt Adapter w/ HD attached > 2005 20” Cinema Display.

Preface:
I had iStat Menus installed and it seems this was the root cause of the kernel_task issues I was experiencing.
After taking the Thunderbolt display and MacBook Pro to the "Geniuses" to verify that the issue(s) were not being caused by my hardware, it boiled down to pinpointing a software inconsistency. A post made by Linc Davis helped me start the digging. He mentioned in one of his post that:
User-installed software that includes a device driver or other kernel code may thrash the kernel. Some system-monitoring applications, such as "iStat," can also contribute to the problem.
I tried uninstalling the software to see if that would solve my problem. Unfortunately it didn’t; therefore, I went about making a full Time Machine backup, a system clone using Carbon Copy Cloner, and reformatting and reinstalling OS X. This may not be the ideal fix for some of you, but fortunately I maintain many backups.
For me, that solved my problem! The kernel_task hasn’t shown up for over a month and everything is running extremely smooth.
Note: This is really not desirable for the majority of you, as it is highly time consuming and may not be practical for you, but it is definitely a surefire way to solve this problem. I didn’t restore from any of my backups, I only made backups for a “just in case” instance. I decided to do a fresh install and set up my system from scratch. I maintain all my software DMGs and serial numbers on a separate HD which made this a smooth way for me to go about restoring my workflow.

High CPU usage and continuously running fan

I recently sent off a logicboard to be repaired for a non-charging issue. Everything worked fine with the exception of the battery would not charge. I received the board back today and noticed immediately that the fan starts running at high speed within 10 seconds of pushing the power button. It also boots extremely slow and when it does finally, eveything takes forever to open. It seems to operate better in safe mode but the fan is still running at about 6200 rpm. Using iStat, I noticed that the temperature itself is not that bad. The CPU is running at about 32 C. And it doesn't feel hot to the touch at all. But the fan never shuts off. I have tried an SMC reset and PRAM reset, no joy. I tried a new hard drive, still no joy. When I can finally get into Activity Monitor, it says that Kernel_task is using upwards of 200% of the CPU. Any suggestions on what I can try to get this kernel_task issue corrected and get the fan to slow back down? Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shed on this.
Macbook Pro 2010 13 inch
Tami

I was able to run the Apple Hardware Test and the error is:
4SNS/1/C0000008: TsOP- - 124
Apparently that has something to do with a temperature sensor. Of course, I can't find any information on how to replace it or even where it might be located. Don't even know if it's replaceable. Can't believe I just got this logic board back from being "fixed" and it's not "fixed!

New Mac Pro (6 core, D700, 32GB), Mavericks 10.9.4, dragging and scrolling lag, overall system bugginess

Since upgrading to 10.9.4 i've been beset with numerous bugs and general odd system behavior.
Previous to this update I had experience lag when using my Wacom Intuos 4 tablet. For example when doing a preview render in Maya the tablet would become unresponsive and laggy. This never occurred on my old Mac Pro 2008.
I noticed there was an update to the Wacom Drivers (6.3.8-2) so I did the update. After updating I've been experiencing dramatically slow screen redraw. So whenever I drag a window or scroll, the image stutters, flickers and lags as it tries to redraw to keep up with mouse position. This makes it impossible to use the computer.
I uninstalled the Wacom drivers and the lag and redraw errors persist. I looked at Activity Monitor to if it was some other system resource like Spotlight that was momentarily hogging resources. The only thing I notice is that the dreaded "kernel_task" seems to be using a lot of ram (1.46 GB) and cpu time (usually at the top of the list). Also, "com.apple.IconServicesAgent" seems to be using a lot of CPU time (usually #2 in the list).
I'm at a loss as to what to do about this other than re-install everything from scratch. I've read through numerous forum threads about the kernel_task issue but nothing seems to apply to the New Mac Pro.
Hopefully someone has some experience with these issues and some good advice for fixes.
Jonathan
Here's my EtreCheck system report:
EtreCheck version: 1.9.15 (52)
Report generated August 26, 2014 at 11:34:29 AM EDT
Hardware Information: ?
Mac Pro (Late 2013) (Verified)
Mac Pro - model: MacPro6,1
1 3.5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 CPU: 6 cores
32 GB RAM
Video Information: ?
AMD FirePro D700 - VRAM: 6144 MB
AMD FirePro D700 - VRAM: 6144 MB
DELL3007WFPHC 2560 x 1600
System Software: ?
OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 0 days 0:18:8
Disk Information: ?
APPLE SSD SM0512F disk0 : (500.28 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.42 GB (237.99 GB free)
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB
USB Information: ?
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Tablet PTK-640
Samsung Samsung ML-2510 Series
Generic Flash Card Reader
Thunderbolt Information: ?
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus_2
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus_1
Promise Technology, Inc. Pegasus2-R
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus_0
Configuration files: ?
/etc/sysctl.conf - Exists
Gatekeeper: ?
Anywhere
Kernel Extensions: ?
[loaded] at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4052 - SDK 10.8) Support
[loaded] com.nvidia.CUDA (1.1.0) Support
[loaded] com.promise.driver.stex (5.2.7 - SDK 10.9) Support
[not loaded] com.silabs.driver.CP210xVCPDriver (3.0.0d1) Support
[not loaded] com.silabs.driver.CP210xVCPDriver64 (3.0.0d1) Support
[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.pentablet (5.2.6) Support
[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (6.3.8 - SDK 10.9) Support
Startup Items: ?
CUDA: Path: /System/Library/StartupItems/CUDA
Launch Daemons: ?
[running] at.obdev.littlesnitchd.plist Support
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[running] com.autodesk.backburner_manager.plist Support
[running] com.autodesk.backburner_server.plist Support
[loaded] com.autodesk.backburner_start.plist Support
[running] com.edb.launchd.postgresql-8.4.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist Support
[loaded] com.promise.bgasched.plist Support
[running] com.promise.BGPMain_R.plist Support
[loaded] com.promise.emaild.plist Support
[running] com.solidangle.rlm.plist Support
Launch Agents: ?
[running] at.obdev.LittleSnitchUIAgent.plist Support
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[running] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist Support
[loaded] com.nvidia.CUDASoftwareUpdate.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support
[running] com.wacom.pentablet.plist Support
[not loaded] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist Support
User Launch Agents: ?
[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
[loaded] net.jonstovell.keepeSATATest1TBSpinning.plist Support
User Login Items: ?
iTunesHelper
ChronoSyncBackgrounder
Dropbox
Internet Plug-ins: ?
AdobeAAMDetect: Version: AdobeAAMDetect 2.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 Support
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.176 - SDK 10.6 Support
Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support
Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.176 - SDK 10.6 Support
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
WacomNetscape: Version: Unknown
WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.6 - SDK 10.9 Support
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version
Audio Plug-ins: ?
BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9
AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9
AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9
iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9
iTunes Plug-ins: ?
Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9
User Internet Plug-ins ?
Aspera Web 3.3.3.81344: Version: (null) - SDK 10.6 Support
3rd Party Preference Panes: ?
CUDA Preferences Support
Flash Player Support
Java Support
WacomTablet Support
Time Machine: ?
Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ?
      1% Activity Monitor
      1% WindowServer
      1% fontd
      0% sysmond
      0% Creative Cloud
Top Processes by Memory: ?
164 MB Safari
131 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent
98 MB mds_stores
98 MB WindowServer
98 MB Creative Cloud
Virtual Memory Information: ?
27.51 GB Free RAM
1.99 GB Active RAM
548 MB Inactive RAM
1.95 GB Wired RAM
548 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs

You have installed all these non-Apple system modifications:
Kernel Extensions: ?
[loaded] at.obdev.nke.LittleSnitch (4052 - SDK 10.8) Support
[loaded] com.nvidia.CUDA (1.1.0) Support
[loaded] com.promise.driver.stex (5.2.7 - SDK 10.9) Support
[not loaded] com.silabs.driver.CP210xVCPDriver (3.0.0d1) Support
[not loaded] com.silabs.driver.CP210xVCPDriver64 (3.0.0d1) Support
[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.pentablet (5.2.6) Support
[not loaded] com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (6.3.8 - SDK 10.9) Support
Litlle snitch has been a bad actor for some users.
You do not have any CUDA Hardware, so the CUDA Driver is not needed.
I do not know what siLabs driver thinks it may be driving.
You left the door open:
Gatekeeper: ?
Anywhere

Passed on 10.5.5 (held out with Coolbook) should I upgrade to 10.5.6?

I have two questions:
1. For anyone that has held out like me, not installed the MBA update nor the 10.5.5, to stay with CoolBook: What are you doing about the 10.5.6 update?
2. For anyone that did the MBA update or the 10.5.5 update and had the problems of kernel_task issue, 800MHz down clocking, etc. noticed any improvement with 10.5.6?
Background:
My MBA is 1st Generation and I had the core shutdown problem from day 1. I tried with AppleCare, changing the mother board, etc. Still the same problem. This drove me crazy for a few months.
Finally, I found a semi-acceptable solution with CoolBook. I only say "semi" because I shouldn't have to do this to get my computer to work, but Coolbook actually does the trick quite nicely. Many here have written about this.
So when the MBA update came out, and then it was stuffed into the 10.5.5 update, I passed. These updates forced you to remove coolbook because Apple had supposedly addressed the problem. However, many reported that:
a. their machines were being underclocked to 800MHz at all times;
b. some experienced overheating issues again;
c. most prominently, a 150% CPU kernel_task had many MBAs crawling...
So I passed. I think it was a smart choice, given all the complaints I've heard.
Now the new 10.5.6 came out. I'm still on 10.5.4, so I guess if I upgrade I get the 10.5.5 changes too. But perhaps Apple has addressed the issues mentioned above. It doesn't seem like it from their release. But I would like to know if anyone had experienced any difference.

I look forward to your finding.
I thought the MBA update, the 10.5.5 and 10.5.6 updates would neutralize my CoolBook settings, since it would handle the throttling itself. They do specifically say to remove the driver and software during the update.
I thought that also meant that I could not come back to CoolBook, or at least not do so as effectively.
Is anyone also using CoolBook just as effectively before MBA/10.5.5/10.5.6 updates as after?
Message was edited by: econ-mit

How can I fix karnel_task in My Yosemite 10.10.2

Hi every one!
First sorry about my English... But today I have the Kernel_Task issue problem and it´s take about 2 GB off my computers memory and more, I re install Yosemite with all programs its take Two days to re install programs BUT the kernel_task return again and I think it´s Apples problem, they sade that thy have the most powerful programmer how the can dissolve any think. Thay can make a new upgrade for Yosemite so everybody can be good because today I cant work with my computer because its blocking all memory and I pay for a expensive computer to use it not to looking after Apple not complete work.....

I've used Apple's adaptor on a mini MBA without a problem.

MBA tooooo slow ... need help

I have a first genration MBA, I love it but it is very frustrating that it is gotten so slow in the last month or so. So I bought the Genious Drive and went through the whole schpiel, checked permissions, and even did a defrag (although I thought for UNIX system you don't need a defrag). Nothing has helped.
To open MS Word it takes literally 1:15 minutes to get word up and running.
So I read in here that I might want to re-install the OS. I don't want to re-install all the apps I have.
Soooo here is the question. How can I re-install the OS without having to re-install the apps.
What do I need to back up and how do I re-install it after the new OS is up and running.
Thank you in advance.
PS: OS X 10.5.5

remenda wrote:
Your theory about CPUs getting "slowed down" is certainly novel, but has no basis in what people learn in computer engineering school.
You might like to constrain your comments to concepts you have knowledge of <Edited by Moderator>. CPU clock and voltage scaling has been a part of system power management for years, and was certainly a topic of my BEng (Computer).
This problem has nothing to do with fans. The problem manifests itself at all temperatures.
The reason you might believe the issue occurs "at all temperatures" is that you are observing a system that contains feedback. Work is done -> CPU heat rises -> power management scales back (and system performance drops) -> temperature drops. Looky there, it's happening when the system is not hot.
This is a software problem - the kernel is occupying massive amounts of CPU time in the log_level function.
... which explains why a hardware repair fixed the issue. Right.
As I noted in the post I linked earlier, I don't claim every MBA suffering "kernel_task" issues has a hardware fault, but it certainly was for me.

OS X Yosemite RAM Issues - kernel_task

Hello,
Looks like I have a memory leak somewhere. I'm unable to pin it down. My kernel_task is taking too much memory and it force yosemite to kill window manager, not a good thing
Can you help me out? I'm really considering a roll back to maverick, but before doing this maybe there's hope to fix this for good..
I also removed cleanmymac as I was requested in other thread of people having same issue.
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated February 18, 2015 at 11:18:57 AM GMT-5
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
    MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) (Technical Specifications)
    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,2
    1 2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core
    8 GB RAM Not upgradeable
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM0
            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
    Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
    Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 92
Video Information: ℹ️
    Intel Iris Pro
        Color LCD spdisplays_2880x1800Retina
System Software: ℹ️
    OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 7 days 20:41:7
Disk Information: ℹ️
    APPLE SSD SM0256F disk0 : (251 GB)
        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
        Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 249.78 GB (32.42 GB free)
            Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked
            Core Storage: disk0s2 250.14 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
    Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
        Apple Inc. Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
    Anywhere
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
        /Applications/VMware Fusion.app
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmci (90.6.3) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmioplug.14.1.3 (14.1.3) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmnet (0249.89.30) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmx86 (0249.89.30) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vsockets (90.6.0) [Click for support]
        /Library/Application Support/Fortinet/FortiClient/nke
    [not loaded]    com.fortinet.fct.kext.avkern (1.0.1 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.fortinet.fct.kext.fctapnke (1 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.fortinet.fct.kext.fctwfnke (1.0 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.fortinet.kext.fctrouternke (1 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
        /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.10) [Click for support]
        /Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.driver.LogJoystick (2.0 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.keyspan.iokit.usb.KeyspanUSAdriver (1 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.logitech.driver.LogiGamingMouseFilter (1 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
        /System/Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.protech.NoSleep (1.4.0 - SDK 10.10) [Click for support]
Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [killed]    com.apple.sbd.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy.plist
    [running]    com.paragon.NTFS.notify.plist [Click for support]
    2 processes killed due to memory pressure
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [killed]    com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.ctkd.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.emond.aslmanager.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.ifdreader.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.nehelper.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.nsurlsessiond.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.periodic-daily.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.periodic-weekly.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.softwareupdate_download_service.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.wdhelper.plist
    10 processes killed due to memory pressure
Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.fssoagent_launchagent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.paragon.updater.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.fortinet.forticlient.appfw.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.epctrl.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.fmon.plist [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.fssoagent_launchdaemon.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.servctl.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.vpn.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.fortinet.forticlient.wf.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.paragon.ntfs12.refresh.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.teamviewer.Helper.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]
    [failed]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]
    [failed]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support] [Click for details]
    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
    NoSleep    Application (/Applications/Utilities/NoSleep.app)
    iTunesHelper    Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
    Android File Transfer Agent    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Google/Android File Transfer/Android File Transfer Agent.app)
    Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)
    EvernoteHelper    Application (/Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app)
    Logitech Gaming Software    Application Hidden (/Applications/Logitech/Logitech Gaming Software.app)
    FortiClientAgent    Application (/Applications/FortiClient.app/Contents/Resources/runtime.helper/FortiClientAge nt.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.40.2.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
    VMwareClientSupportPlugin55: Version: VMwareClientSupportPlugin 5.5.0.41167 [Click for support]
    CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.8.2 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]
    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.40.2.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Unknown Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]
    WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
    Flash Player [Click for support]
    NoSleep [Click for support]
    Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
    Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
         8%    WindowServer
         1%    Google Chrome
         0%    fontd
         0%    LastPass
         0%    hidd
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
    155 MB    Google Chrome
    119 MB    Google Chrome Helper
    94 MB    mds_stores
    43 MB    mds
    43 MB    Spotlight
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
    99 MB    Free RAM
    2.75 GB    Active RAM
    2.22 GB    Inactive RAM
    2.66 GB    Wired RAM
    66.65 GB    Page-ins
    3.93 GB    Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
    Feb 18, 2015, 11:13:39 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/vmware-vmx_2015-02-18-111339_[redacted].crash
    Feb 5, 2015, 08:58:41 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-02-05-205841_[redacted].panic [Click for details]
    Feb 18, 2015, 10:52:59 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/loginwindow_2015-02-18-105259_[redacted].crash

Hello greg, I uninstalled cleanmymac and forticlient( even if I need it).   Nosleep is very useful to prevent my mac to drop all my rdp connections. Here's a new etrecheck output to confirm my clean up:
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated February 18, 2015 at 1:02:20 PM GMT-5
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
    MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) (Technical Specifications)
    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,2
    1 2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core
    8 GB RAM Not upgradeable
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM0
            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
    Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
    Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 92
Video Information: ℹ️
    Intel Iris Pro
        Color LCD spdisplays_2880x1800Retina
System Software: ℹ️
    OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 7 days 22:24:33
Disk Information: ℹ️
    APPLE SSD SM0256F disk0 : (251 GB)
        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
        Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 249.78 GB (31.79 GB free)
            Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked
            Core Storage: disk0s2 250.14 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
    Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
    Anywhere
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
        /Applications/VMware Fusion.app
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmci (90.6.3) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmioplug.14.1.3 (14.1.3) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmnet (0249.89.30) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vmx86 (0249.89.30) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.vmware.kext.vsockets (90.6.0) [Click for support]
        /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.3.10) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.3.10) [Click for support]
        /Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.driver.LogJoystick (2.0 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.keyspan.iokit.usb.KeyspanUSAdriver (1 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    com.logitech.driver.LogiGamingMouseFilter (1 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
        /System/Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.protech.NoSleep (1.4.0 - SDK 10.10) [Click for support]
Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [killed]    com.apple.sbd.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy.plist
    [running]    com.paragon.NTFS.notify.plist [Click for support]
    2 processes killed due to memory pressure
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [killed]    com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.ctkd.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.emond.aslmanager.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.nehelper.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.nsurlsessiond.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.periodic-weekly.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.softwareupdate_download_service.plist
    [killed]    com.apple.wdhelper.plist
    8 processes killed due to memory pressure
Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
    [unknown]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.paragon.ntfs12.refresh.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.teamviewer.Helper.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.startup.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]
    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
    NoSleep    Application (/Applications/Utilities/NoSleep.app)
    iTunesHelper    Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
    Android File Transfer Agent    Application (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Google/Android File Transfer/Android File Transfer Agent.app)
    Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)
    EvernoteHelper    Application (/Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app)
    Logitech Gaming Software    Application Hidden (/Applications/Logitech/Logitech Gaming Software.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.40.2.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
    VMwareClientSupportPlugin55: Version: VMwareClientSupportPlugin 5.5.0.41167 [Click for support]
    CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.8.2 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]
    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.40.2.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Unknown Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]
    WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
    Flash Player [Click for support]
    NoSleep [Click for support]
    Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
    Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
         8%    WindowServer
         1%    LastPass
         1%    Google Chrome
         0%    SystemUIServer
         0%    fontd
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
    155 MB    Google Chrome
    131 MB    Google Chrome Helper
    120 MB    Dock
    103 MB    Finder
    94 MB    mds_stores
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
    237 MB    Free RAM
    2.63 GB    Active RAM
    1.93 GB    Inactive RAM
    2.64 GB    Wired RAM
    69.24 GB    Page-ins
    4.21 GB    Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
    Feb 18, 2015, 11:13:39 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/vmware-vmx_2015-02-18-111339_[redacted].crash
    Feb 18, 2015, 10:52:59 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/loginwindow_2015-02-18-105259_[redacted].crash
    Feb 5, 2015, 08:58:41 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-02-05-205841_[redacted].panic [Click for details]

Is anyone else having issues with kernel_task spiking while using Firefox v27.0.1?

During normal operations w/o Firefox running, kernel_task utilizes anywhere from .02% - 2.4%. When I run Firefox and begin browsing, the kernel_task frequently bursts up to 12% 56% and slows my entire system down.
This just began happening today after months of use. No new extensions have been installed that were not previously there.
OS: Mavericks 10.9.1
I'm back to using Chrome. :|

Hi TootsMagoon,
Thank you for posting your question. When you watched the activity monitor did you take a sample of the kernel_task and see which processes were taking up the most resources? I would be happy to further investigate this a bug as well.
Provided, if this is not helpful, if you want to leave feedback for Firefox developers, you can go to the Firefox ''Help'' menu and select ''Submit Feedback...'' or use [https://input.mozilla.org/feedback this link]. (You'll need to be on the latest version of Firefox to submit feedback). Your feedback gets collected at http://input.mozilla.org/, where a team of people read it and gather data about the most common issues.

Latest 10.8.5 mod slowed my computer - kernel_task cpu issue

Installed the 10.8.5 supplemental mods and the Java update last night. After doing so, the kernel_task cpu issue - which I had eliminated a year ago - has come back. It is making time-machine unusable in both normal and safe mode. How do I fix? Backing out or restoring to previous time machine settings seems impossible due to the processing speeds. Reinstall??

Final answer! This was a case where the 10.8.5 updates overwrote / reinstalled the "plist" files which control the power throttling of the CPU. The pasted link has a whole discussion and fix with the details. I had run with this fix since Aug 2012 and this was the first Mountain Lion upgrade that caused me to re-do it. As an FYI, there are RISKS specified with this fix, but in my case I have not come close to having excessive temps or any functional issues.
http://www.rdoxenham.com/?p=259&cpage=2#comment-22586

Kernel_task CPU issues (Lion, MBP 2011)

Hey y'all,
I've been noticing some "strange" behavious on my Lioin equipped 2011 MBP - I don't know what causes this, but let's say I have a fresh restart/boot up of the laptop - open up let's say Reaper (music sequencer program), and start making music...after a little while, I'll notice I start to get clicks in the audio - check the activity monitor, and sure enoug, the kernel_task is using up between 250% and 3xx% cpu for no apparent reason. The ram usage is no problem, very little ram used...however, it means that I cannot use this laptop for live use, which ***** cause I'm rehearsing for live solo shows :S
I've tried using cleanmymac and ccleaner, powering down, restarting etc. It usually reverts back to normal after doing all of the above. But I just tried doing this now, and the cpu/kernel_task is at around 250% after cleaning and a restart of Lion (latest version).
Here's a [URL="http://torbenscharling.com/process.txt"]link[/URL] to the txt acitity monitor report, and here's a copy paste, anyone got some advice on how to get rid of this problem and a healthy clean running system? (thinking about starting from scratch with a new install, but then again I might wait for the new MBP's to come before going through all that hassle)
Active Memory: 565.4 MB
Free Memory: 6.35 GB
Wired Memory: 1,018.4 MB
Used Memory: 1.64 GB
Inactive Memory: 91.8 MB
Total VM: 192.81 GB
Number of processes: 84
PID    Process Name              User       CPU      Real Mem        Virtual Mem
0      kernel_task               root       258.2    573.3 MB        6.64 GB
1      launchd                   root       0.1      1.9 MB          2.40 GB
10     kextd                     root       0.0      6.5 MB          2.39 GB
11     UserEventAgent            root       0.0      7.3 MB          2.42 GB
12     notifyd                   root       0.1      1.2 MB          2.35 GB
13     diskarbitrationd          root       0.0      2.1 MB          2.39 GB
14     configd                   root       0.0      5.8 MB          2.42 GB
16     ntpd                      root       0.0      1.4 MB          2.32 GB
19     warmd                     nobody     0.0      2.7 MB          2.39 GB
20     usbmuxd                   _usbmuxd   0.0      2.7 MB          2.39 GB
22     SystemStarter             root       0.0      1.2 MB          2.38 GB
23     syslogd                   root       0.0      1.0 MB          2.40 GB
25     stackshot                 root       0.0      1.2 MB          2.35 GB
26     securityd                 root       0.0      7.8 MB          2.41 GB
28     revisiond                 root       0.0      3.4 MB          2.39 GB
29     powerd                    root       0.0      2.6 MB          2.41 GB
32     opendirectoryd            root       0.2      10.6 MB         2.41 GB
34     mds                       root       50.0     23.0 MB         2.52 GB
35     mDNSResponder             _mdnsrespo 0.0      3.1 MB          2.40 GB
37     loginwindow               TorbenScha 0.0      27.4 MB         2.46 GB
39     KernelEventAgent          root       0.0      1.1 MB          2.34 GB
41     hidd                      root       3.1      2.0 MB          2.39 GB
42     fseventsd                 root       0.8      3.0 MB          2.40 GB
44     dynamic_pager             root       0.0      732 KB          2.32 GB
46     dpd                       root       0.0      1.5 MB          2.35 GB
50     autofsd                   root       0.0      1.8 MB          2.38 GB
51     applepushserviced         root       0.0      26.8 MB         2.45 GB
52     aosnotifyd                root       0.0      4.9 MB          2.41 GB
54     licenseDaemon             root       0.0      3.3 MB          647.6 MB
55     M-Audio FireWire Device H root       0.0      2.2 MB          665.3 MB
56     L6KSettingMgr             root       0.0      1.4 MB          613.7 MB
57     qmasterd                  root       0.0      7.0 MB          663.5 MB
58     lsd                       root       0.0      5.9 MB          672.7 MB
59     taskgated                 root       0.0      3.5 MB          2.41 GB
60     distnoted                 root       0.0      2.0 MB          2.39 GB
61     coreservicesd             root       0.3      49.4 MB         2.47 GB
64     xpchelper                 root       0.0      4.7 MB          2.38 GB
101    netbiosd                  _netbios   0.0      2.6 MB          2.40 GB
106    360Daemon                 root       0.0      1.6 MB          2.36 GB
118    socketfilterfw            root       0.0      4.3 MB          2.41 GB
120    racoon                    root       0.0      2.3 MB          2.38 GB
121    xpchelper                 _netbios   0.0      4.7 MB          2.38 GB
123    WindowServer              _windowser 7.0      42.8 MB         3.09 GB
124    ocspd                     root       0.0      1.9 MB          2.32 GB
127    rpcsvchost                root       0.0      3.1 MB          2.40 GB
139    CVMServer                 root       0.0      1.1 MB          2.33 GB
140    launchd                   _cvmsroot 0.0      892 KB          2.35 GB
144    CVMCompiler               _cvmsroot 0.0      2.9 MB          2.33 GB
146    launchd                   _spotlight 0.0      948 KB          2.36 GB
154    distnoted                 _spotlight 0.0      1.4 MB          2.38 GB
155    xpchelper                 _spotlight 0.0      4.5 MB          2.39 GB
156    logind                    root       0.0      1.8 MB          2.36 GB
172    launchd                   _securitya 0.0      948 KB          2.37 GB
174    CVMCompiler               _securitya 0.0      15.1 MB         2.34 GB
180    mdworker                  _spotlight 0.0      5.7 MB          2.41 GB
182    launchd                   TorbenScha 0.1      1.5 MB          2.40 GB
185    UserEventAgent            TorbenScha 0.0      9.4 MB          2.42 GB
187    distnoted                 TorbenScha 0.1      2.6 MB          2.40 GB
188    xpchelper                 TorbenScha 0.1      5.0 MB          2.39 GB
192    Dock                      TorbenScha 0.0      36.1 MB         2.48 GB
193    talagent                  TorbenScha 0.0      7.2 MB          2.43 GB
194    SystemUIServer            TorbenScha 0.0      20.6 MB         2.52 GB
195    Finder                    TorbenScha 0.1      23.6 MB         2.47 GB
196    coreaudiod                _coreaudio 0.0      5.6 MB          2.41 GB
198    pboard                    TorbenScha 0.0      1.0 MB          2.32 GB
208    fontd                     TorbenScha 0.0      5.2 MB          2.43 GB
211    warmd_agent               TorbenScha 0.0      1.9 MB          2.38 GB
215    imagent                   TorbenScha 0.0      6.8 MB          2.41 GB
216    helpd                     TorbenScha 0.0      2.1 MB          2.38 GB
220    AirPort Base Station Agen TorbenScha 0.0      2.0 MB          2.36 GB
222    Little Snitch UIAgent     TorbenScha 0.0      5.5 MB          711.4 MB
223    Little Snitch Network Mon TorbenScha 0.1      5.9 MB          716.0 MB
235    com.apple.dock.extra      TorbenScha 0.0      12.1 MB         2.44 GB
236    cookied                   TorbenScha 0.0      2.7 MB          2.39 GB
238    gfxCardStatus             TorbenScha 0.0      11.7 MB         2.45 GB
239    NoSleepHelper             TorbenScha 0.0      8.5 MB          2.45 GB
240    BetterTouchTool           TorbenScha 0.7      14.7 MB         2.44 GB
242    NIHardwareAgent           TorbenScha 0.0      10.4 MB         681.1 MB
247    automountd                root       0.0      2.4 MB          2.39 GB
251    Quick Look Helper         TorbenScha 0.0      8.1 MB          2.91 GB
254    Activity Monitor          TorbenScha 24.0     33.2 MB         2.55 GB
263    CVMCompiler               TorbenScha 0.0      2.6 MB          2.33 GB
265    activitymonitord          root       0.8      1.3 MB          2.33 GB
266    launchdadd                root       0.0      1.8 MB          2.37 GB

That link didn't help at all.
Anyone care to help out?
I don't know what it is...I'll be using let's say Firefox, with like 10-20 tabs, be watching a youtube video in VLC player or whatever, and all of a sudden it gets sluggish - check the activity monitor, and it's the same problem...I'll restart or shut down, which sometimes helps, sometimes it boots up with the same problem, or the problem starts within 1-10minutes of me using Reaper or some other "big" program with plugins etc...but it also just happens with me using regular programs, safar/firefox etc. Might it have something to do with a background "maintenance" thing Lion starts or something like that? I've deliberately turned off indexing via terminal, so it doesn't index while I'm performing music (It would start indexing and take half a day at it, and then still do it so I finally was like, I can live without the search function...) otherwise I've had no kernel panics, no issues really with my mac and os x...

Mavericks RAM issues: kernel_task, IconServicesAgent?

First off, thanks to all of you whose know-how makes this community work. We all really really appreciate it.
So I've spend some good time looking at other posts for this Mavericks RAM problem, but my situation seems unique so I thought I'd look for some personalized help. My iMac just got rebooted in safe mode, kernel_task and com.apple.IconServicesAgent are humming along using 500MB of RAM. More concerning is that the computer at rest is using ~3.9GB of my 4.0GB RAM. It just can't do anything. We've had these problems ever since upgrading to Mavericks, never any problems before. I've run Disk Utility and Memory Clean to no avail. Besides slowness, we've had some issues with iPhoto - we had an uploading problem, and some weird repeated prompts for keychain password permission that appeared in safe mode. There have been internmittent episodes of iphoto username problems popping up on Console during regular operation, but I don't have a copy of it. Other than that, I don't know what to say. The Etre Check is below. I can also run it during normal operation if it would help anyone diagnose our problem. I thought that since the same problems exist in safe mode, that would narrow the differential.
Interestingly, safari's visuals are all blinky in safe mode, and that corresponds to the error message in Console: com.apple.Webkit.WebContent: CoreAnimation: unhandled combiner function: 12 Never seen that before, and Safari never was blinky before entering safe mode.
One last tidbit about the IconServicesAgent issue: it appeared as soon as we downloaded the new Mavericks 10.9.2.
Any help would be soooo appreciated. This is my wife's buisness computer and we would love to get it up and running again.
Hardware Information:
          iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
          iMac - model: iMac11,2
          1 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2 cores
          4 GB RAM
Video Information:
          ATI Radeon HD 4670 - VRAM: 256 MB
System Software:
          OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 0 days 0:8:22
Disk Information:
          WDC WD5000AAKS-40V6A0 disk0 : (500.11 GB)
                    EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB
                    Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (340.96 GB free)
                    Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB
          PIONEER DVD-RW DVRTS09
USB Information:
          Logitech USB Receiver
          Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
                    Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
          Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
          Brother MFC-295CN
          Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub
                    Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard
          Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
          Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
FireWire Information:
Thunderbolt Information:
Launch Daemons:
          [System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.flipvideo.FlipShareServer.launchd.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist 3rd-Party support link
Launch Agents:
          [System] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.flipvideo.FlipShare.AutoRun.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist 3rd-Party support link
          [System] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link
User Launch Agents:
          [not loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link
User Login Items:
          AdobeResourceSynchronizer
          EvernoteHelper
          Dropbox
          Remote Mouse
          Spark Daemon
Internet Plug-ins:
          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 3rd-Party support link
          FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.8 3rd-Party support link
          AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.8 3rd-Party support link
          Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
          OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.3 3rd-Party support link
          SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.7 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10516.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link
          iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
Safari Extensions:
          Evernote Web Clipper: Version: 6.1
          feedly: Version: 16.0.521
          shmetsy tools: Version: 2.3
          NinjaKit: Version: 0.9.1
Audio Plug-ins:
          BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9
          AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9
          AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9
          iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9
iTunes Plug-ins:
          Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9
User Internet Plug-ins:
          CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.79 3rd-Party support link
3rd Party Preference Panes:
          3ivx MPEG-4 3rd-Party support link
          Flash Player 3rd-Party support link
          Java 3rd-Party support link
Old Applications:
          None
Time Machine:
          Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off
          Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU:
               3%          com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
               1%          WindowServer
               1%          EtreCheck
               1%          Activity Monitor
               1%          ps
Top Processes by Memory:
          160 MB          com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
          160 MB          Safari
          143 MB          com.apple.IconServicesAgent
          93 MB          WindowServer
          78 MB          Finder
Virtual Memory Information:
          1.22 GB          Free RAM
          1.72 GB          Active RAM
          575 MB          Inactive RAM
          502 MB          Wired RAM
          213 MB          Page-ins
          0 B          Page-outs

this is what I got on my machine:
Boot Mode: Normal
Model: MacBookPro8,1
Battery cycles: 359
System diagnostics
   2014-02-27 aosnotifyd,diskarbitrationd,identityservicesd,launchd,mds,mds_st shutdownStall
   2014-02-27 com.apple.internetaccounts crash
   2014-02-27 com.apple.internetaccounts crash
   2014-02-27 com.apple.internetaccounts crash
   2014-02-27 com.apple.internetaccounts crash
   2014-02-27 coresymbolicatio,CVMCompiler,CVMCompiler,CVMCompiler,CVMServer,d shutdownStall
   2014-02-27 kav spin
   2014-02-27 launchd,secd shutdownStall
   2014-02-28 aosnotifyd,diskarbitrationd shutdownStall
   2014-03-01 aosnotifyd,CVMCompiler,CVMServer,diskarbitrationd,kav,launchd shutdownStall
User diagnostics
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-01 MP3 Gain crash
   2014-03-02 Microsoft Excel crash
   2014-03-03 Finder crash
Kernel messages
   Feb 27 10:26:39   Process Setup Assistant [171] disabling system-wide I/O Throttling
   Feb 27 10:26:39   Process Setup Assistant [171] disabling system-wide CPU Throttling
   Mar 2 07:59:36   Sound assertion in AppleHDAController at line 8198
   --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Loaded extrinsic kernel extensions
   com.kaspersky.kext.klif (3.0.2a39)
   com.kaspersky.nke (1.6.2a12)
   com.kaspersky.kext.kimul.44 (44)
   com.kaspersky.kext.mark.1.0.5 (1.0.5)
   com.regularrateandrhythm.driver.RowmoteIREmu (1.0)
Extrinsic daemons
   com.regularrateandrhythm.rowmotehelperaide
   com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper
   com.kaspersky.kav
   com.adobe.SwitchBoard
   com.adobe.fpsaud
Extrinsic agents
   com.evernote.EvernoteHelper
   com.kaspersky.kav.gui
   com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager
   com.nero.HSMMonitor
launchd items
   /Library/LaunchAgents/com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist
        (com.adobe.AAM.Startup-1.0)
   /Library/LaunchAgents/com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist
        (com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager)
   /Library/LaunchAgents/com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist
        (com.kaspersky.kav.gui)
   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.fpsaud.plist
        (com.adobe.fpsaud)
   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist
        (com.adobe.SwitchBoard)
   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.kaspersky.kav.plist
        (com.kaspersky.kav)
   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist
        (com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper)
   /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.regularrateandrhythm.rowmotehelperaide.plist
        (com.regularrateandrhythm.rowmotehelperaide)
   Library/LaunchAgents/com.nero.HSMMonitor.plist
        (com.nero.HSMMonitor)
Extrinsic loadable bundles
   /System/Library/Extensions/klif.kext
        (com.kaspersky.kext.klif)
   /System/Library/Extensions/klnke.kext
        (com.kaspersky.nke)
   /Library/Extensions/klif.kext
        (com.kaspersky.kext.klif)
   /Library/Extensions/klnke.kext
        (com.kaspersky.nke)
   /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flash Player.plugin
        (com.macromedia.Flash Player.plugin)
   /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/npContributeMac.bundle
        (com.adobe.npContributeMacBundle)
   /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/SharePointBrowserPlugin.plugin
        (com.microsoft.sharepoint.browserplugin)
   /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/SharePointWebKitPlugin.webplugin
        (com.microsoft.sharepoint.webkitplugin)
   /Library/PreferencePanes/Flash Player.prefPane
        (com.adobe.flashplayerpreferences)
   /Library/QuickTime/SoundboothScoreCodec.component
        (com.adobe.SoundboothScoreAudioCodec)
   /Library/ScriptingAdditions/Adobe Unit Types.osax
        (No bundle ID)
   Library/Address Book Plug-Ins/SkypeABDialer.bundle
        (com.skype.skypeabdialer)
   Library/Address Book Plug-Ins/SkypeABSMS.bundle
        (com.skype.skypeabsms)
Unsigned shared libraries
   /usr/lib/libtcl.dylib
   /usr/lib/libtcl8.5.dylib
   /usr/lib/libtk.dylib
   /usr/lib/libtk8.5.dylib
DNS: 168.210.2.2
hosts
   127.0.0.1     activate.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     activate.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     activate.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     practivate.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     ereg.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     activate.wip3.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     wip3.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     3dns-3.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     3dns-2.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     adobe-dns.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     adobe-dns-2.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     adobe-dns-3.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     ereg.wip3.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     activate-sea.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     wwis-dubc1-vip60.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     activate-sjc0.adobe.com
   127.0.0.1     hl2rcv.adobe.com
User login items
   iTunesHelper
   Rowmote Helper
Safari extensions
   Turn Off the Lights
   TabTransmit
   QR Coder
   URLAdvisor
   Pocket
Restricted user files: 860
Font problems: 38
Elapsed time (s): 3261

Kernel_task issue?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for