CPU Usage constantly 20% or above on iMac G5 after software update

[enlightenup]

Hi All,

Firstly sorry if this has been covered, I tried searching but uncovered nothing and if so any searching hints are very welcome.

I recently updated my software on my iMac G5 to 10.4.8 and now my CPU usage never drops below 20% even with all applications closed when I am connected to dial-up internet via the internal modem.

It seems to be showing in activity monitor as 'kernal task / 15%CPU / 85MB real memory / 1GB Virtual memory.'

Is this normal for a dial-up connection to be using 15% of the CPU just to be connected? My iMac is a G5 1.8GHz with 1.5 GB RAM.

I don't know what the idle CPU usage was before but I'm fairly sure its only just changed? I noticed it because the fan seems quite a bit louder now.

Thanks heaps,
Brian.

[Satcomer]

Well lets play Sherlock Holmes can investigate this to get to the bottom of this. Launch the application Activity Monitor (/Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app) and once that is open click on the "%CPU" so the arrow is pointing down. This way you can see what is eating all this memory. Sometimes applications get "memory leaks" when they become out of date.

[enlightenup]

Hi Satcomer and thanks for your reply.

This is what it reads in activity monitor...

0 kernel_task root 19.60 47 72.01 MB 1.06 GB
In the order... process ID, Process name, User, %CPU, Threads, Real Memory, Virtual memory.

This is with ALL applications closed and connected to the net via the internal dial-up modem.

When I'm not on the net total CPU load drops to 1%.

Hopes this helps?

Cheers,
Brian.

[Satcomer]

That means some program you have is calling home and having a "memory leak" in the process. You should keep Activity viewer open when you connect and check Activity viewer before and just after you launch ANY program while on the Net. With a little work you can get to the bottom of the issue.

Another way to try is using the Console log viewer (/Applications/Utilities/Console.app). Launch that application before you get on the net, then minimize it while connect to the net. while connect don't launch any other program for about 5 minutes. After the five minutes log off the net and then take a good look at the Console log. This log will tell you what is running in the background, if anything is. Like I stated before with a little detective work, you will most likely find something that might point you in the right direction.

Good hunting and good luck.

[enlightenup]

I've still got no idea about this ?

Sometimes it does it, sometimes not.

I've looked at it console its exactly the same readout whether it does it or not, and the same whether programs are runnng or not.

I'm over it I reckon.

Cheers all,
Brian.