Q: Kernel Task, 100%CPU, Fans high, machine hot, software issue. How do I track down cause?

I appear to be experiencing a similar phenomenon. I ran EtreCheck to the following results and removed recommended files where possible, but was unable to remove the 2nd set of Adobe plist files. The button was grayed out. Also the readout vis a vis TimeMachine not having enough space is also a false flag. My TM backup disk is 3TB, while the incremented total backup is not much over half the drive's capacity. FWIW, I'm also including the EtreCheck report. Thanks in advance for any advice and help!

All best, David

EtreCheck version: 2.9.13 (267)

Report generated 2016-07-11 18:32:05

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 2:54

Performance: Excellent

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

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

Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Click the [Check files] link for help with unknown files.

Problem: Other problem

Description:

Both fans were working at an appropriately unobtrusive whisper when suddenly with a clanking whine they spun up with pedal to the metal speed to this full on RPM; loud and moving in and out of phase with each other.

Hardware Information: ⓘ

    MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011)

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

    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,3

    1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

    8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

        BANK 0/DIMM0

            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

        BANK 1/DIMM0

            4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

    Battery: Health = Check Battery - Cycle count = 346

Video Information: ⓘ

    Intel HD Graphics 3000

        Color LCD 1920 x 1200

    AMD Radeon HD 6770M - VRAM: 1024 MB

System Software: ⓘ

    OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 (15F34) - Time since boot: less than an hour

Disk Information: ⓘ

    Crucial_CT512M550SSD1 disk0 : (512.11 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: No)

        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        Boot OS X (disk0s3) <not mounted> : 134 MB

        Macintosh Fusion (disk2) / : 1.50 TB (207.15 GB free)

            Core Storage: disk0s2 511.77 GB Online

            Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online

    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100 disk1 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

        EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        Recovery HD (disk1s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

        Macintosh Fusion (disk2) / : 1.50 TB (207.15 GB free)

            Core Storage: disk0s2 511.77 GB Online

            Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online

USB Information: ⓘ

    TOSHIBA External USB 3.0 3 TB

        EFI (disk6s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        Future Fusion MBP Backup (disk6s2) /Volumes/Future Fusion MBP Backup : 3.00 TB (574.78 GB free)

    TOSHIBA External USB 3.0 3 TB

        EFI (disk5s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        MBP Fusion TimeMachine Backup II (disk5s2) /Volumes/MBP Fusion TimeMachine Backup II : 3.00 TB (1.74 TB free)

    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

    Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

    Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

    VIA Labs, Inc.          USB2.0 Hub              2 TB

        ADATA HD650 2 TB

        EFI (disk4s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        iTunes Home (disk4s2) /Volumes/iTunes Home 1 : 2.00 TB (3.83 GB free)

        StoreJet Transcend StoreJet Transcend 2 TB

        EFI (disk3s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

        Transcend FCP X Scratch (disk3s2) /Volumes/Transcend FCP X Scratch : 2.00 TB (83.65 GB free)

        VIA Labs, Inc.          USB2.0 Hub             

    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Configuration files: ⓘ

    /etc/launchd.conf - File exists but not expected

Gatekeeper: ⓘ

    Anywhere

Adware: ⓘ

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify.plist

    /private/etc/launchd.conf

    3 adware files found. [Remove]

Unknown Files: ⓘ

    /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.sandy.preferences.plist

    One unknown file found. [Check files]

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

        /Applications/ExpanDrive.app

    [not loaded]    com.expandrive.filesystems.strongfuse (2.5.6 - SDK 10.6 - 2014-09-05) [Support]

        /Applications/Parallels Desktop.app

    [not loaded]    com.parallels.kext.hidhook (8.0 18354.823166 - 2014-01-25) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (8.0 18354.823166 - 2014-01-25) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.parallels.kext.netbridge (8.0 18354.823166 - 2014-01-25) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (8.0 18354.823166 - 2014-01-25) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.parallels.kext.vnic (8.0 18354.823166 - 2014-01-25) [Support]

        /Applications/Utilities/DiskWarrior.app

    [not loaded]    com.alsoft.Preview (4.4 - 2012-07-24) [Support]

        /Library/Extensions

    [loaded]    com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (2.0b2 - SDK 10.10 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.FTDI.driver.D2XXHelper (1.0 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.bongiovi.DPSReflector (1.0.6 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.techsmith.TACC (1.0.2 - SDK 10.10 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.2.6 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.2.6 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.2.6 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.2.6 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

        /System/Library/Extensions

    [not loaded]    com.Ondesoft.driver.OndeAudioRecorderDevice (1.0.0 - OS X 10.7 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.channld.driver.Channel_dPAD (1.0 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.2.3 (26704) - SDK 10.4 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (Wacom Tablet 6.3.15-3 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-06-03) [Support]

        /System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

    [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.2.3 (26704) - SDK 10.4 - 2013-03-12) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.2.3 (26704) - SDK 10.5 - 2013-03-12) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.2.3 (26704) - SDK 10.4 - 2013-03-12) [Support]

System Launch Agents: ⓘ

    [not loaded]    8 Apple tasks

    [loaded]    151 Apple tasks

    [running]    79 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

    [not loaded]    44 Apple tasks

    [loaded]    156 Apple tasks

    [running]    91 Apple tasks

Launch Agents: ⓘ

    [failed]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-05-11) [Support]

    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist (2015-09-29) [Support]

    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist (2015-09-29) [Support]

    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusstatus.plist (2015-09-29) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

    [running]    com.hp.productresearch.plist (2012-01-16) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2015-11-17) [Support]

    [running]    com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (2015-12-16) [Support]

    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist (2012-09-28) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ

    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-05-11) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-05-11) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-06-14) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.apple.aelwriter.plist

    [running]    com.apple.qmaster.qmasterd.plist

    [loaded]    com.audirvana.Audirvana-Plus.plist (2016-05-18) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.barebones.authd.plist (2015-11-26) [Support]

    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist (2015-09-29) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.bombich.ccc.plist (2013-09-24) [Support]

    [running]    com.cleverfiles.cfbackd.plist (2016-02-16) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.id-design.whatsizehelper.plist (2016-07-03) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2015-11-17) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.prosofteng.DriveGenius.locum.plist (2014-12-28) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.rogueamoeba.instanton-agent.plist (2014-03-25) [Support]

    [not loaded]    com.sandy.preferences.plist (2015-10-22) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.stclairsoft.AppTamerAgent.plist (2015-11-11) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.wacom.displayhelper.plist (2015-12-16) [Support]

    [loaded]    org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist (2012-09-28) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ

    [failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2015-10-26) [Support]

    [loaded]    com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncer.plist

    [loaded]    com.bittorrent.uTorrent.plist (2016-05-20) [Support]

    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist (2015-10-23) Adware!  [Remove]

    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify.plist (2015-10-23) Adware!  [Remove]

    [not loaded]    com.linotype.FontFolderProtector.plist (2015-07-01) [Support]

    [not loaded]    org.virtualbox.vboxwebsrv.plist (2013-02-03) [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ

    SmartDaemon    Application  (/Library/Application Support/CleverFiles/SmartDaemon.app)

    gfxCardStatus    Application  (/Applications/gfxCardStatus.app)

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

    Snagit    Application  (/Applications/Snagit.app)

    HebDict    Application  (/Applications/HebDict.app)

    Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)

    Android File Transfer Agent    Application  (~/Library/Application Support/Google/Android File Transfer/Android File Transfer Agent.app)

    Audio Hijack 3 Schedule Helper    Application Hidden (/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack/Audio Hijack 3 Schedule Helper.app)

    Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

    MacGameStore Helper    Application  (~/Library/Application Support/MacGameStore.com/Helper/MacGameStore Helper.app)

    Bongiovi DPS    Application  (/Applications/Bongiovi DPS/Bongiovi DPS.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ

    [running]    com.TechSmith.Snagit.128032

    [loaded]    com.appersian.hebdict.76192

    [running]    com.bongiovi.DPS20.434272

    [running]    com.cleverfiles.SmartDaemon.260192

    [running]    com.codykrieger.gfxCardStatus.262752

    [running]    com.google.Chrome.73312

    [running]    com.google.GoogleDrive.430752

    [running]    com.google.android.mtpagent.251552

    [running]    com.houdah.HoudahSpotHelper

    [running]    com.macgamestore.helper.249312

    [running]    com.rogueamoeba.audiohijack3.schedulehelper.390752

    [loaded]    com.techsmith.snagit.SnagitLaunchAtLogin

    [running]    com.tuneupmedia.TuneUpHelper

    [running]    com.wacom.TabletDriver.413472

    [running]    com.wacom.WacomTouchDriver.406432

    [loaded]    406 Apple tasks

    [running]    218 Apple tasks

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 3.3.7.2   - SDK 10.7 (2015-10-15) [Support]

    FlashPlayer-10.6: 22.0.0.192 - SDK 10.9 (2016-06-16) [Support]

    QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-05-24)

    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-18) [Support]

    AdobePDFViewer: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-18) [Support]

    Flash Player: 22.0.0.192 - SDK 10.9 (2016-06-16) [Support]

    Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-05-24)

    JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 91 build 14 (2016-04-24) Check version

    WacomTabletPlugin: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.6 - SDK 10.9 (2015-12-16) [Support]

    iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-04-23)

Safari Extensions: ⓘ

    Reload Button - John Siracusa - http://siracusafamily.org/safari/extensions/ (2015-12-27)

    Ultimate Status Bar - Karl Dearden - http://ultimatestatusbar.com/ (2014-03-13)

    SuperDrag - Hundred Spires - http://hundredspires.cz (2015-08-01)

    QRanything - Patricius Albu - http://safari.albu-its.de/qranything (2015-06-10)

    AdBlock - Michael Gundlach - http://safariadblock.com (2015-05-25)

    Franker - Yurii Soldak - http://franker.googlecode.com/ (2014-09-27)

    Adblock Plus - Eyeo GmbH - https://adblockplus.org/ (2016-04-03)

    Turn Off the Lights - Stefan vd - http://www.turnoffthelights.com (2015-05-10)

    WebRadio - D.G. Midwinter - http://safariextensions.midwinter-dg.com (2014-03-13)

    ButtonBar+ - D.G. Midwinter, © 2012 - http://www.buttonbar-plus.com (2015-07-11)

    SafariRestore - SweetP Productions - http://sweetpproductions.com/extensions/extensions.htm (2015-06-10)

    QRphone - Patricius Albu - http://safari.albu-its.de/qrphone (2015-06-10)

    Lyrics Here by Rob W - Rob Wu - https://robwu.nl/lyricshere/ (2015-03-05)

    VIDX - Vali Aurel - http://vidxmac.com (2014-10-29)

    Grammarly Spell Checker & Grammar Checker - Grammarly (2015-09-30)

Audio Plug-ins: ⓘ

    Digital Power Station: Unknown - SDK 10.6 (2011-11-12) [Support]

    DVCPROHDAudio: 1.3.2 (2012-09-19)

    Hear: 1.2.3 - SDK 10.10 (2015-06-16) [Support]

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

    Flash Player (2016-06-14) [Support]

    Flip4Mac WMV (2015-10-15) [Support]

    FUSE for OS X (2016-02-14) [Support]

    Java (2016-04-24) [Support]

    Perian (2011-07-24) [Support]

    WacomTablet (2015-12-16) [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ

    Skip System Files: NO

    Mobile backups: ON

    Auto backup: YES

    Volumes being backed up:

        Macintosh Fusion: Disk size: 1.50 TB Disk used: 1.30 TB

    Destinations:

        MBP Fusion TimeMachine Backup II [Local]

        Total size: 3.00 TB

        Total number of backups: 29

        Oldest backup: 28/06/2016, 9:29 PM

        Last backup: 11/07/2016, 6:22 PM

        Size of backup disk: Too small

            Backup size 3.00 TB < (Disk used 1.30 TB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

         9%    Bongiovi DPS

         5%    WindowServer

         3%    coreaudiod

         2%    Google Chrome Helper(13)

         2%    kernel_task

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

    1.55 GB    Google Chrome Helper(13)

    774 MB    kernel_task

    426 MB    com.apple.SpeechRecognitionCore.speechrecognitiond

    410 MB    mds_stores

    319 MB    mdworker(16)

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

    114 MB    Free RAM

    7.88 GB    Used RAM (1.87 GB Cached)

    512 KB    Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

    Jul 11, 2016, 05:53:23 PM    Self test - passed

    Jul 11, 2016, 11:00:27 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/cfbackd_2016-07-11-110027_[redacted].crash

        /Library/Application Support/CleverFiles/BackService.app/Contents/MacOS/cfbackd

    Jul 11, 2016, 10:55:25 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/cfbackd_2016-07-11-105525_[redacted].crash

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.

You have adware installed. Run the report again and where you see the red Adware, click Remove. Once complete, run the report again and post a copy into a new reply.

Try a SMC reset. The article covers when this is required, but doing this will not affect anything.

Reset SMC

Try uninstalling the TuneUp Helper and Drive Genius using the Developer's uninstall instructions.

Thanks very much, Eric. 'Course you're right. I only checked the item date as I was submitting the reply (doh.) Subsequent to posting my addition, I read what literature I could find and came up with the SMC reset docs, which I'll try presently. If that doesn't solve the issue, then I'll post separately and take the jalopy into the shop for testing.

I've run EtreCheck 3 times and am unable to locate and/or remove manually or via EtreCheck these files: the Adobes show up nowhere in Preferences where you'd expect to find them with other com.plists.

[failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart

    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify

[failed]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-05-11)

[failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2015-10-26)

If the issue persists I'll also include this data in a new discussion. Again, thanks for your pronto reply!

All best,

David

Thanks for this, read all the posts about resets and moving files around, but then saw yours and cleaned my fans out on my MBP and all the throttling is gone.