Norbert-geek
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: what's wrong with kernel_task?

Hello everybody,

 

What's wrong with kernel_task?

 

I explan: Macbook Pro early 2011 OS LION up to date.

 

I bought 8go on China supplier, CRUCIAL...

 

Okay i had lot of kernel Panic. Usually, it's involved hardware, so plug out my RAM, made back the original ones, then still have in monitoring the kernel_task at 300% CPU monitoring up to 500%...

 

Okay , i went back to a clean install, a manufacturing one, with out nothing.

 

Would have like to "D" diagnostic the hardware, never went on, made test on Safe mode, turn off all extensions then nothing:

 

sometimes the kernel_task  goes crazy sometimes not...

 

Okay read a lot on internet but nothing worked.. I went to the Apple store in DIJON, they didn't diag any hardware issue, and all my App are Apple approved.

Was used to play eve online so thought may be, the graphic chipset could have been damaged, so when it's too "hot" the mac goes crazy… but i expected crazy reboot and things like this.

I bought a manual, there's no french support on the Apple start, but didn't find nothing regarding my issue.

 

So what?

I bought something conivient about Support and friability then today it's dead?

 

What to do?

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 6:18 AM

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Norbert-geek

Q: what's wrong with kernel_task?

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  • by BobHarris,Helpful

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 24, 2016 3:27 PM in response to Norbert-geek
    Level 6 (19,633 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 24, 2016 3:27 PM in response to Norbert-geek

    If you are still getting kernel panics, please post 2 or 3 of the most recent as separate replies to this thread.

    Kernel Panic reports: "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports"

    <http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2546>

    <http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553>

    The panic report should have "panic" in the file name.

     

    Kernel panics tend to come from 2 sources

    • Hardware:
      • 3rd party RAM is the most frequent.  Replacing or putting back the original is generally the solution.  Crucial and MacSales.com have been 2 of the more reliable vendors for initial quality and prompt no questions asked replacement.
      • Broken USB cables or USB devices have turned up as the 2nd most likely hardware issue.  Generally removing all USB devices, or swapping out the existing USB mouse and keyboard to see if it is one of those.
      • There are a few Macs with graphics chips that have failed.  I only know they exist, but do not know what model Macs had these chips.
    • Software
      • anti-virus.  This is the number 1 cause of most software related panics.  Plus OS X does not need anti-virus, as it has its own built-in protections <http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg-builtin/>.
      • Other 3rd party kernel extensions are a distant 2nd.
      • NOTE: not all 3rd party kernel extensions cause problems, but when there is a kernel panic, this is the first thing to look at.

     

    Run away kernel_task is often caused by 3rd party kernel extensions.  It can be caused by an application program, but then Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor will "Also" show an application that is consuming lots of CPU, Disk I/O and/or Network I/O in conjunction with the kernel_task using lots of CPU.  If there is no application burning up the CPU at the same time, then it is almost always a 3rd party kernel task that is causing the excessive kernel_task CPU usage.

     

    Booting into Safe mode is generally a test to see if 3rd party extensions are part of the case.  But Safe mode is not how you would run your system, as it also loads less advanced drivers for graphics and other componets.  Safe mode is very conservative, but it is a great way to see if 3rd party software is at fault, and to get booted when 3rd party software panics the system on boot.

     

    The long time forum contributors strongly advise against installing 3rd party anti-virus, Mac cleaners, and performance enhancing additions.  This class of 3rd party additions have been shown over and over again to actually degrade performance, delete things they should not, and cause kernel panics.  Especially right after an OS X upgrade to a new version.

  • by Norbert-geek,

    Norbert-geek Norbert-geek Jan 24, 2016 3:35 PM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 24, 2016 3:35 PM in response to BobHarris

    Thanks bobharris for your reply.

     

    I had nothing i was use to on my mac.. if it appears, i'll post. I never found on el capitan where were put the Logs that's why to identifiate the trouble i downgrade to LION.

     

    I follow your advice erasing Maccleaner.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 24, 2016 5:48 PM in response to Norbert-geek
    Level 6 (19,633 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 24, 2016 5:48 PM in response to Norbert-geek

    Please post the output from EtreCheck

    <https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6174>

    that can be very helpful in analyzing a user's system