Kernel Task is using CPU and slowing down MacBook massivly

Also I am thinking of cutting down on the monitoring tools. As I want to increase the battery time of my mac. Thinking of doing a clean install,

My reasons for having the programs are as follows. Nosleep;prevents the mac from sleeping when closing lid on power or battery, istat menu: good to tell stats like network speed and battery history and hdd write speed, bandwidth: need it to monitor downloads on wifi networks (windows has a default feature in win8.1 none in mac), fruit juice to show batter life and history(not very import can live without) Thats the main stuff I need.

Whats ur opinion on it and other things to increase battery life?

[not loaded] com.maintain.PurgeInactiveMemory.plist (2016-04-02) [Support]

I have no idea what that is its not something that I installed. How do I remove it?

You have a suite of things from com.maintain...

[not loaded] com.maintain.PurgeInactiveMemory.plist (2016-04-02) [Support]

[not loaded] com.maintain.Restart.plist (2016-04-02) [Support]

[not loaded] com.maintain.ShutDown.plist (2016-04-02) [Support]

[running] com.maintain.SystemEvents.plist (2016-04-02) [Support]

Which is mostly some package you installed. Some Google search seems to indicate it is from Cocktail

<http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/>

You asked about preserving battery life. Anything running in the background is going to consume energy. So this is a candidate to remove.

Generally speaking long term forum contributors do not recommend anti-virus, Mac cleaners, nor memory cleaners, as they are all seem to cause problems.

Uninstalling anything, it is "Best" if you use the vendors uninstall instructions, not just drag the app to the trash, as in the cause of uTorrent, it leaves behind things.

If that is not possible to use the vendor uninstall instructions, then get EasyFind

EasyFind (free download)

<http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/freeware.html>

And search your disk for the named items and remove them manually. But again, this is a last resort.

Whats ur opinion on it and other things to increase battery life?

Start Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor and let it run in the background on the "Energy Tab"

Then come back and review which processes are using the most energy and consider how you can change the behavior. If it is a browser, it may be one of the tabs that is consuming all the energy. If it is one of your monitor apps, then consider changing its sampling frequency, or doing with out it. If it is your torrent app, consider stop it from running when on your battery, and only use it when plugged it (maybe an app such as ControlPlane can be used to activate/deactivate such activities when on/off the power plug <http://www.controlplaneapp.com> ).

Your Macbook Pro should be good for close to 10 hours battery life, if you do not abuse its CPU, Storage, and Network resources (or at least 10 hours when it was new, which will degrade over time).

Would you check mine:

EtreCheck version: 2.9.11 (264)

Report generated 2016-04-17 23:39:45

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 2:03

Performance: Excellent

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Problem: Computer is too slow

Hardware Information: ⓘ

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,2

1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Battery: Health = Replace Soon - Cycle count = 1441

Video Information: ⓘ

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB

Color LCD 1920 x 1200

NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MB

System Software: ⓘ

OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 (14F1713) - Time since boot: about 2 hours

Disk Information: ⓘ

OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD disk0 : (480.1 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: No)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

SSD (disk0s2) / : 479.24 GB (258.40 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-868 ()

USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Anywhere

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.squirrels.driver.AirParrotSpeakers (1.8 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-04-10) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[loaded] com.squirrels.airparrot.framebuffer (1.6 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-04-10) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

[not loaded] 4 Apple tasks

[loaded] 151 Apple tasks

[running] 57 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[not loaded] 49 Apple tasks

[loaded] 138 Apple tasks

[running] 75 Apple tasks

Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-01-13) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.CS4ServiceManager.plist (2015-07-19) [Support]

[loaded] com.coupons.coupond.plist (2015-09-14) [Support]

[loaded] com.divx.dms.agent.plist (2016-03-10) [Support]

[loaded] com.divx.update.agent.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2016-01-17) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-01-13) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-01-13) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-05) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.versioncueCS4.plist (2015-07-19) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2016-01-17) [Support]

[loaded] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeard.plist (2015-09-20) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.apple.FolderActions.folders.plist

[loaded] com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist (2015-08-09) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]

[running] com.pcv.hlpramcn.plist (2015-12-20) [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] com.appzapper.AppZapper.162764

[running] org.mozilla.firefox.50584

[loaded] 382 Apple tasks

[running] 149 Apple tasks

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

OVSHelper: 1.1 (2016-03-14) [Support]

Default Browser: 600 - SDK 10.10 (2015-08-20)

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.010.20060 - SDK 10.8 (2016-03-10) [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

DivX Web Player: 3.5.5.3 - SDK 10.10 (2016-03-10) [Support]

Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-02-07) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-04-06)

Flash Player: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.1 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-02) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 15.010.20060 - SDK 10.8 (2016-03-10) [Support]

CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: 5.4.0 - SDK 10.10 (2015-09-14) [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 77 build 03 (2016-04-06) Check version

User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (2013-04-25) [Support]

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Adobe Version Cue CS4 (2015-07-19) [Support]

Flash Player (2016-04-05) [Support]

Java (2016-04-06) [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

SSD: Disk size: 479.24 GB Disk used: 220.85 GB

Destinations:

Iomega HDD [Local]

Total size: 0 B

Total number of backups: 0

Oldest backup: -

Last backup: -

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 220.85 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

12% DesktopServicesHelper

9% WindowServer

5% firefox

4% kernel_task

4% mdworker(3)

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

1.21 GB firefox

506 MB kernel_task

131 MB Finder

106 MB WindowServer

66 MB mds_stores

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

58 MB Free RAM

3.94 GB Used RAM (714 MB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Apr 17, 2016, 10:32:16 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-17-223216_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

/Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox

Apr 17, 2016, 09:26:40 PM Self test - passed

Apr 17, 2016, 12:56:27 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-17-125627_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

Apr 16, 2016, 08:59:31 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-16-205931_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

Apr 16, 2016, 07:41:20 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent_2016-04-16-194120 _[redacted].crash

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/AmbientDisplay.framework/Versions/A/XPCServic es/com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent.xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgen t

Apr 16, 2016, 06:10:06 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-16-181006_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

Apr 16, 2016, 12:20:49 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-16-002049_[redacted].hang

Apr 15, 2016, 11:46:16 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-15-234616_[redacted].cpu_resour ce.diag [Details]

Apr 15, 2016, 05:27:57 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/firefox_2016-04-15-172757_[redacted].hang

Apr 15, 2016, 05:27:53 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/plugin-container_2016-04-15-172753_[redacted]. crash

org.mozilla.plugincontainer - /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/plugin-container.app/Contents/MacOS/pl ugin-container

Would you check mine:

What do you want us to check?

It would be good if you told us what you exact issues are. What problems you are experiencing. What apps are misbehaving?

4% kernel_task

506 MB kernel_task

Your kernel_task is not out of bounds. Chances are the slightly above minimum kernel memory usage is due to the AirParrot kernel extensions, which I assume you want to use AirPlay.

You did spend the money for an SSD, but kept your RAM at only 4GB. More RAM would have be good. Not sure how much RAM the 17" Macbook Pro can take, but I'm fairly sure it is more than 4GB. And you might consider enabling TRIM support on your SSD

<http://www.imore.com/os-x-10104-and-trim-support-should-you-turn-it>

I have the same OWC MacSales.com SSD in my iMac and I have TRIM enabled.

[running] com.pcv.hlpramcn.plist (2015-12-20) [Support]

If Google is right, this is a Mac cleaner. Mac cleaners, Anti-Virus, and memory cleaners are something the long term forum contributors have found to be more trouble than they are worth.

[loaded] com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist (2015-08-09) [Support]

Bit torrent clients can put a bandwidth load on your system, making network access appear slower. A lot depends on how large a pipe you have to the internet.

[loaded] com.coupons.coupond.plist (2015-09-14) [Support]

Why do you need a coupon agent running 24/7

Lately my macbook overheats. I want to say this happens when watching videos but it also happens at times when I'm just on the web. The fans go into overdrive and it gets hot. I did disable "Use hardware acceleration when available" within Firefox.

I don't know much about the technical side of the macbook pro but when I run into an issue I google it and research it.

Thanks for the advice regarding the RAM. I looked at prices last night and I plan on upgrading to 8GB of Ram soon. Should I shop for specific brand? My battery is also in bad shape, doesn't hold a charge at all and I must be plugged in for the mac to start up. Is it worth it to replace it?

And the other issue is I've had off and on for a few years now - is my screen will look polarized. I use ctrl +option+command +8 to fix it--- and it last for awhile. It happens 2-4 times in a year. I went to the genius bar and if I am remembering correctly I think i need a new video card or at least that's what they guessed I needed. Is the video card something I can replace myself? Is it worth the expense or should I just wait until it's unfixable and buy a new macbook?

I want this macbook to last as long as it can.

As far as those things running 24/7, I noticed a slowness a few weeks ago. That's primarily why I am here I want to clean it up but I don't know how. How do I remove those?

Thanks for your time and help.

Lately my macbook overheats.

That would be a good time to run EtreCheck. Also it would be good if you were running Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor in the background, and then start looking at what processes is spiking your Mac, and if the Memory, Disk I/O and Network I/O are spiking on something.

I want to say this happens when watching videos but it also happens at times when I'm just on the web.

Are you using AirParrot when watching videos? I seem to recall that AirParrot does its thing by using the CPU to do what newer Macs do in hardware (I just did a Google search on "AirParrot CPU usage" and found several hits on high CPU usage and excess heat)

This is an older Mac. You should balance any spending you do against how much longer you will be able to continue using this Mac. In some cases it is better to save them money towards a new computer, then keep putting money into an old one that will still be mostly slow.

Also a newer Mac will not need AirParrot and will have hardware support for AirPlay. As an alternative, you could get an adapter that converts your video output to HDMI and use a cable to drive your TV with videos from your Mac. After all, you are already wired to your power cord, what is another cable to trip over 🙂

MacSales.com (OWC) and Crucial.com are well respected Mac RAM vendors that provide the right product for each Mac you buy RAM for.

Battery. Even if you get a new battery, chances are it is not going to give you the 10 hours of battery life the current generation of Mac laptops will give you. If you do not need to be mobile, then I would save the money. If you do need to be mobile and finding a wall outlet is a pain, and you are not ready to buy a new Mac, then you could get a new battery. They are going to run in the $100 range (plus or minus).

As to your screen, I do not know much about that. It seems you have a work around, and I would go with that, while saving money for a new Mac.

Is the video card something I can replace myself?

I do not know. You might check iFixIt.com to see the tear down instructions on your Macbook Pro 17" and see if they identify a separate daughter card, or if it is just part of the motherboard.

But again, I would consider new vs trying to keep this Mac alive forever. If the video is only flaking out a couple of times a year, I would leave it alone and save the money.

How do I remove those?

If you can find the original vendor's install instructions, they generally have uninstall instructions.

Otherwise get something like

EasyFind (free download)

<http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/freeware.html>

and start searching for matching filename strings.

Thanks for all the advice. No worries about the power cord, my power strip lives under my sofa-- no tripping threats! 😉 But connecting to the TV may be a problem - I'm accident prone. I'll figure something out or read more!

I did run the disk utility and the biggest culprit is Firefox that is why I turned off the acceleration.I'm also using safari again seems not to set off the fans. But I will do everything else you've recommended. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. You've confirmed what I already suspected-- I'll need a new macbook pro eventually. I just wish apple still had a 17" laptop available.

Cheers!

I did run the disk utility and the biggest culprit is Firefox that is why I turned off the acceleration.

I assume you meant to say "Activity Monitor", but your fingers typed "disk utility" 🙂 Because they are not even close to the same thing.

Firefox could be a plug-in, or it could be a specific web page's Javascript that is consuming all the resources you are seeing consumed by Firefox.

If you are not really portable, because of the battery, you could just go for an iMac. Or attach a big external monitor when you want that extra screen real estate on a Macbook Pro. However, I do understand being movable at home. I may use a nice big 27" iMac at work, but at home I much prefer the movability of my 15" Macbook Pro.

Hello Arthur I am having the same problem do you think theres a way you can help me ? Same thing I cant paste here but will do in dropbox or anything that you tell me? I did the etrechek and tried to use some of the advices you listed on the top post but I still have some issues.

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. You can link to this one. Copy the Etrecheck report into your new post.

Time to get a new laptop if this is an old one. Battery is about $60, RAM is another like $60, and if your screen is having issues too. Video card is very expensive.