Phantom CPU activity

Question

Level 1

93 points

Phantom CPU activity

Hi, Hope you can help!

MBP, 10.6.8 fully updated software.

Noticed the machine was running a little hot and battery life was down. Closed all programs and checked activiy monitor: CPU idle has a minimum vlaue of about 98% but every few seconds takes an excursion down to 48% were it remains for a few seconds before recovering briefly to 98%. Looking at the list of CPU usage by process, I see that activity monitor is using about 2% but nothing else. Even when the CPU idle is 48%, nothing is appearing on the list as using any cpu. Meanwhile the computer is running hot with audible fan activity.

Console messages don't show any obvious explanation. Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

09/06/2012 11:39:13	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:39:23	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:39:33	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:39:43	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:39:53	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:40:03	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:43:29	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
09/06/2012 11:43:32	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 7 seconds
09/06/2012 11:43:32	com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[114]	(com.apple.pbs) Throttling respawn: Will start in 7 seconds
09/06/2012 11:57:31	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/lightscribe.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-api.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-bin.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-gui.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-kext.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-profiles.pkg
09/06/2012 11:57:32	Software Update[4371]	PackageKit: *** Missing bundle identifier: /Library/Receipts/vpnclient-startup.pkg
09/06/2012 11:59:36	com.apple.launchd[1]	(com.apple.suhelperd[4372]) Exited with exit code: 2

Its now 12.07 and the CPU continues to work. Help!

Posted on Jun 9, 2012 4:08 AM

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Answer 1

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Jun 9, 2012 10:51 AM in response to oxcart

Did you try rebooting?

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Answer 2

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jun 9, 2012 11:31 AM in response to oxcart

You could install iStat pro which would give you exact temperature/fan speed data. That said, try an SMC reset:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

If no success, run the Apple Hardware Test to see if maybe a temperature sensor has failed.

Ciao.

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Answer 3

oxcart Author

Level 1

93 points

Jun 9, 2012 2:32 PM in response to X423424X

Yes, I tried rebooting and repair of the disk permissions.

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Answer 4

oxcart Author

Level 1

93 points

Jun 9, 2012 2:35 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I have smc fan control and could test the temperature, however there is no need as I can feel the heat on top of my thighs. Also there is the problem of the 48% cpu idle and the 2% in use... where is the rest?

I will try the smc reset and let you know.

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Answer 5

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Jun 9, 2012 2:56 PM in response to oxcart

Are you running Safari with various extentions? It may have no connection with your problem but Carolyn solved one for me today by telling me to turn off Safari extentions. Not mentioned in the exchange of posts was the fact that my cpu was jumping up and down as wildly as yours.

It just crossed my mind it could be something you could try ... after all, they're easy to turn back on. 😀

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Answer 6

oxcart Author

Level 1

93 points

Jun 9, 2012 4:11 PM in response to seventy one

Thanks for the suggestion but I have no extensions. Its not flash either.

Hardware test and smc reset did not help, so still burning up.

Anyone else?

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jun 9, 2012 4:30 PM in response to oxcart

It would be helpful if you posted an iStat pro display and a display of Activity Monitor>All Processes.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Jun 9, 2012 8:53 PM in response to oxcart

Boot in safe mode and see if you have this same activity.

Also try using another account.

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Answer 9

oxcart Author

Level 1

93 points

Jun 12, 2012 11:33 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

OK, X423424X came closest to the mark... I forgot about starting in safe mode. I believe it forces a directory check, and I don't know what this means exactly, but I have found it to cure problems in the past. In this case, the laptop began running cool again after starting in safe mode.

However, I still have the phantom CPU activity: ie. the activity monitor shows only 49% CPU idle, but nothing in the list appears to acount for the missing 51% of the CPU capacity, see attached images below.

It is noteworthy that when I boot off the Lion partition this problem is even worse, and the excursions down to low idle values are more frequent and last much longer.

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