kernel_task on Mavericks high cpu usage

Question

EtreCheck output:Hardware Information:          MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)          MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,2          1 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores          8 GB RAMVideo Information:          NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB          NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MBSystem Software:          OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 6:25:52Disk Information:          M4-CT256M4SSD2 disk0 : (256.06 GB)                    EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 209.7 MB                     Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 255.2 GB (34.27 GB free)                    Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;: 650 MB           HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS21N  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 FireWire Information:Thunderbolt Information:Configuration files:          /etc/sysctl.conf - ExistsKernel Extensions:          org.pqrs.driver.KeyRemap4MacBook          (9.3.0)Startup Items:          ChmodBPF: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ChmodBPF          SiCoreService: Path: /Library/StartupItems/SiCoreServiceLaunch Daemons:          [System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.binaryage.asepsis.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.crashplan.engine.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.deploystudio.server.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.github.GitHub.GHInstallCLI.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.machangout.glims.loader.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          [System] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.ubuntu.one.fsevents.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] net.sourceforge.MonolingualHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.cindori.AuthHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.gpgmail.patch-uuid.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist 3rd-Party support linkLaunch Agents:          [System] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.amazon.sendtokindle.launcher.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.binaryage.asepsis.updater.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.machangout.glims.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.glimmerblocker.updater.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.gpgmail.enable-bundles.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.gpgmail.patch-uuid-user.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.Libmacgpg.xpc.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.macgpg2.fix.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.macgpg2.shutdown-gpg-agent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.gpgtools.macgpg2.updater.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist 3rd-Party support link          [System] org.pqrs.KeyRemap4MacBook.server.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Launch Agents:          [not loaded] ca.madefresh.BodegaAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.akamai.single-user-client.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.crashplan.javacheck.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.dropboxforums.mduagent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.ecamm.printopia.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.google.Chrome.framework.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist 3rd-Party support link          [not loaded] cx.pow.powd.plist 3rd-Party support linkUser Login Items:          iTunesHelper          gfxCardStatus          ControlPlane          Bartender          BoxSyncHelper          Dropbox          Google Drive          Music Manager          CrashPlan menu bar          TotalTerminal          Now Playing          Eye-Fi Helper          Caffeine          Timehop Sync          KeyRemap4MacBook          Proximity          TeamViewer          ClamXavSentry          Alfred 2          owncloud          RescueTime          FastScripts          TotalFinder          VMware Fusion Start Menu          Autodesk 360Internet Plug-ins:          AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.06 - 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SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link          Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9          Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16   - SDK 10.8 3rd-Party support link          o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.1.4.17398 3rd-Party support link          WacomTabletPlugin: Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.2 3rd-Party support link          SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.8 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link          JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 3rd-Party support link          WacomNetscape: Version: 2.1.0-1 - SDK 10.8 3rd-Party support linkSafari Extensions:          BetterSource: Version: 1.1          Ultimate Status Bar: Version: 1.3          LastPass: Version: 3.1.0          Pocket: Version: 1.5.7          Ghostery: Version: 5.1.0          Buffer: Version: 2.2.17          SendTab: Version: 3.2.0          scroblr: Version: 2.0.17          Duplicate Tab Button: Version: 2.0          NoMoreiTunes: Version: 2.3.1          Evernote Web Clipper: Version: 6.1          GooglePlus: Version: 1.3          DoNotTrackMe: Online Privacy Protection: Version: 3.1.1064          Buffer: Version: 2.2.18Audio Plug-ins:          BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - 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All volumes being backed up may not be listed.Top Processes by CPU:              19%          java               6%          SkyDrive               6%          WindowServer               2%          EtreCheck               1%          ocspdTop Processes by Memory:          279 MB          Safari          238 MB          Finder          172 MB          java          123 MB          Evernote          110 MB          com.apple.WebKit.WebContentVirtual Memory Information:          111 MB          Free RAM          2.25 GB          Active RAM          2.25 GB          Inactive RAM          977 MB          Wired RAM          3.17 GB          Page-ins          1.02 GB          Page-outs

John Galt · Answer

Given the extent to which that Mac has been modified, you should expect it to perform poorly. It&#x27;s amazing it runs at all.If you know the purpose for each of the modifications present and are certain they are required for your work, then research their individual vendors for support, or uninstall them. That will be a tall order. Some of them, MacFUSE to cite one example, have not been updated in years and for several OS X versions. There are way too many others to mention.

shokk · Answer

I&#x27;ve removed Macfuse as I already had OSXFuse installed, which is current up to November.However, the rest of your anwer is completely unhelpful. Consider not answering next time, if you feel there is too much for you to mention.

John Galt · Answer

Good, one down and about 100 to go. Not only are there too many to mention, there are too many to count.

Linc Davis · Answer

What is the CPU usage of kernel_task?

shokk · Answer

Hi Linc kernel_task was full using one core so it was using 50-60 percent CPU, sometimes spiking to 80.To be sure it wasn&#x27;t one of my programs I was using, I closed everything in the menubar and all applications. CPU use was still high but memory use was very low.Thank you.

Linc Davis · Answer

The kernel is using excessive processor cycles. Below are some possible causes for the condition.ThrottlingWhen it gets high temperature readings from the hardware, or a low-voltage reading from the battery, the kernel may try to compensate by interrupting the processor(s) to slow them down and reduce power consumption. This condition can be due toa buildup of dust on the logic boardhigh ambient temperaturea worn-out or faulty battery in a portablethe malfunction of a cooling fan or sensorNote that if the problem is caused by a sensor, there may be no actual overheating or undervoltage.If the computer is portable, test with and without the AC adapter connected. If kernel_task hogs the processor only on battery power, the fault is in the battery or the logic board. If it happens only on AC power, charging is causing the machine to heat up. That may be normal on some models. CPU usage should drop when charging is complete.Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, though not very reliable, is sometimes able to detect a bad fan or sensor.If nothing is wrong with the hardware, then whatever you can do to improve cooling may help.Installed softwareUser-installed software that includes a device driver or other kernel code may thrash the kernel. That category includes virtualization software, such as Parallels and VMware, as well as most commercial "anti-virus" products. Some system-monitoring applications, such as "iStat," can also contribute to the problem. You can test for this possibility by completely disabling or removing the software according to the developer&#x27;s instructions, or booting in safe mode. 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 dataSometimes the problem is cleared up by resetting the NVRAM or the SMC.External displayConnecting an external LCD display to some MacBook Pro models may cause this issue. If applicable, test by disconnecting the display. You might get better results with a newer LED display.

shokk · Answer

All very good info! Thank you.I did recently install VMware Fusion about two weeks ago, although no VM was running on the system, and the system was running very idle this morning.I also have ClamAV installed on the system, although that has been running for quite some time. It is possible a new large file was being scanned. Any recommended alternative is appreciated, even if that is to have no AV.Anything you recommend I get rid of completely or replace with another package?

shokk · Answer

Regarding heat, the system was pretty warm and the battery is not in the best condition, being from 2009.I did open it a couple of months ago and cleaned out all dust on the board and fans.

Linc Davis · Answer

Decide that after you carry out the tests I suggested.

shokk · Answer

Plugging and unplugging made no difference. I left the laptop off after you recommendations, so it would cool down. I started it up and CPU went to 100 on boot, as expected, but with almost no system use of the CPU. Right now the laptop is not running off the power supple, and has almost flat performance. Previous reboots today did not help, but I also did not let it cool down between reboots. I am seeing expected performance right now with all my stuff running.I can take the cover off and check how the fans are running, but will check Apple Diagnostics and Hardware test first.

shokk · Answer

I am on a Macbook Pro 5,2 system that came with a Snow Leopard DVD. My system does not have /System/Library/CoreServices/.diagnostics on it, and the Snow Leopard disc does not have it either. Where can I get that so I can run the Apple Diagnostics?

Linc Davis · Answer

It&#x27;s on one of the two discs that came with the machine.

shokk · Answer

I mistakenly mentioned it came with Snow Leopard. It came with Leopard and the upgrade to Snow Leopard was free and MacMall shipped the Snow Leopard update a few weeks later.I&#x27;m not sure I received disks for Leopard but, if I did, that&#x27;s not something I have anymore.

shokk · Answer

For future reference, this page points to Apple&#x27;s images for each hardware version.https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTestLooking at this now.

shokk · Answer

With the MacBookPro5,2 image, I copied the .diagnostics to /System/Library/CoreServicesWhen I boot holding D, I come to the OS X Utilities screen. My options on that are:    Restore From Time Machine Backup    Reinstall OS X    Get Help Online    Disk UtilityUnder Utilities I see:    Firmware Password Utility     Network Utility     TerminalWhat am I looking for on this?