lundo
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G4 kernel_task hogging cpu - 2006/06/29 02:37
On a G4 PowerMac with dual 450MHz processors, when I run Activity Monitor cpu 2 is at 100% most of the time. In the time-progressive CPU bargraph, every once in a while (< 10 sec) cpu2 activity dips and cpu1 goes to 100% for a bit, then cpu2 goes back up. In the upper panel, displaying All Processes shows that its the kernel_task (PID 0) that's taking up all the juice. I am running OS X 10.3.9.
I've disconnected both FireWire devices (external HD & CD-R/W drive), as well as the USB printer and Audiophile interface, and disabled the network interface, same symptom. Either some hardware is interrupting the cpu frequently, cpu2 taking the interrupt as cpu1 is normally busy with normal stuff, or there might be some software problem.
I've considered upgrading to a Powerlogix cpu, which would eliminate the problem if it's originating on the cpu board - but if it's externally generated or software-related, this won't help.
Also, aware of problems with the disk controller chip on early G3's, I wonder if the controller on this G4 could be generating spurious interrupts.
Has anyone seen this type of thing, or have any ideas as to what might be causing it?
Post edited by: lundo, at: 2006/06/30 00:09
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