[kieran]

This has been happening pretty frequently over the past week or so.

Everything will be fine, and then all of a sudden, everything will freeze up for a good 10-15 seconds, and then come back, but will have a lot of lag for about 5 minutes, and then it goes away.

Looking at MenuMeters, one core will be at 100% and the other one at 0%. I opened up activity monitor after the last time, and it showed Kernel Task using 717% of my CPU.

I don't know what to do about this. Anybody know what to do about it? Could it be related to over heating? it's been very hot in Philly the past two weeks.

oh yea, MacBook Air, 2GB RAM, 10.5.4.

(It's doing it now as I post. It's taken me about 5 minutes to write this sentence.

[Taskiss]

What else are you running at these times?

Do you run an older version of Firefox or any other program with known memory leaks?

Did you look at memory usage, and was the kernel task also the top memory user?

Do you run any 3rd party hardware drivers?

Are you using any external USB devices?

If you reboot, does that reduce the problem for any length of time?

If you disable airport and use a cable does the problem go away?

Have you installed any HP software for a printer?

How much space is available on your hard disk?

Have you examined the console logs?

[kieran]

I'll try and answer these in order, I forgot about this thread until it just happened again a little while ago.

1. Safari, Mail, Twitterrific, iCal, iChat
2. Safari is the only one I could put in that category.
3. Kernel Task is at the top of CPU, but I didn't look at memory
4. No 3rd party drivers.
5. Nothing plugged in except for my speakers through headphone jack.
6. I just rebooted an hour ago and it hasn't happened. I had 12 days uptime before that.
7. Didn't try hooking up through USB/Ethernet
8. I have an HP printer. Does that cause these problems?
9. 9.57 out of 74.21 GB
10. No, I havent looked at the logs, because I have no idea what they mean.

Hopefully this can help you help me. Thanks.

This is what is known as a "core shutdown" and is a known issue among many Macbook Air users, including myself. Playing a Youtube video is usually enough to cause the shutdown. Google it and you will find a workaround (Coolbook) which has remedied the problem for many. For me it did not do the trick (it caused random kernel panics in place of the core shutdown), but a mainboard replacement seemed to help quite a bit as it is now useable even when the core shuts down under a heavy load. A few things to look at:

1. Look into your startup folders (both of them) for any references to Parallels desktop. I was certain I did not have Parallels installed when asked by a Mac support tech, and was surprised to find it still running and present in my startup folder from a previous installation on another since migrated mac.

2. Make sure you have adequate airflow at the vents while using it on your lap or bed.

Good luck,

[kieran]

I tried looking around and didn't see anything about this.

I usually have my MBA up on an iCurve, so airflow is not a problem, but the fans still run pretty frequently.

I'm pretty sure I uninstalled Parallels after I decided not to keep it.

You said you had a "mainboard replacement." How about did you get that?

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by RussGJohnson This is what is known as a "core shutdown" and is a known issue among many Macbook Air users, including myself. Playing a Youtube video is usually enough to cause the shutdown. Google it and you will find a workaround (Coolbook) which has remedied the problem for many. For me it did not do the trick (it caused random kernel panics in place of the core shutdown), but a mainboard replacement seemed to help quite a bit as it is now useable even when the core shuts down under a heavy load. A few things to look at: 1. Look into your startup folders (both of them) for any references to Parallels desktop. I was certain I did not have Parallels installed when asked by a Mac support tech, and was surprised to find it still running and present in my startup folder from a previous installation on another since migrated mac. 2. Make sure you have adequate airflow at the vents while using it on your lap or bed. Good luck,

Welcome to AppleNova, Russ. And thanks for trying to help with kieran's problem.

[kieran]

Doh.

I knew I forgot to add something.

Welcome Russ. and thanks for posting.

[Taskiss]

Originally Posted by kieran23kk 8. I have an HP printer. Does that cause these problems?

I've read about all-in-one printer drivers slowing systems down in the past. I have no idea if the stories have substance.

There are a couple of threads on the Apple support discussion site that may shed some light:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....15209&tstart=0

and

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....94682&tstart=0

[kieran]

Ok, so this has been happening to me at least once or twice a day over the past week and a half.

I called AppleCare and they had me email them the process list from Activity Monitor. They called me back today, three days later, to tell me that "Apple is currently investigating the issue. It is most likely software based and a fix will come in a software update. Sorry I couldn't do more to help you with this issue."

Here are some screenshots of AM showing the core shutdown.





Is there really nothing I can do about this if AppleCare says they are working on it? What if it happens again? Do I keep calling in order to keep this on the record as to how many times it's happening?

It seems kind of stupid that this keeps happening and nothing is being fixed It really makes the computer unusable .

[kieran]

Just thought I'd bump this thread back up again because it's happened to me twice today.

Is there anything I can do about it? I guess I could go to an Apple Store and hope that it happens while I'm with a Genius.

[alcimedes]

What does your system log show when it's crapping itself?

[kieran]

Next time it happens, I'll grab it.

[alcimedes]

Just the other day I had something similar. In my case it was a RAM chip failing horribly.

Aug 14 00:11:38 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 8 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )Aug 14 00:23:07 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 9 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )Aug 14 00:34:36 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 10 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )Aug 14 01:09:02 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 11 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )Aug 14 01:20:31 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 12 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )Aug 14 01:32:00 Apollo kernel[0]: /!\ WARNING: corrected 13 parity error(s) in DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 ( ferr = 0x00010000 nerr == 0x00000000 )

[kieran]

8/14/08 4:01:00 PM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.netauth.sysagent[32040]) Stray process with PGID equal to this dead job: PID 32043 PPID 1 check_afp


This was in the console last time it happened. It's actually beginning to happen again right now.

This is getting ridiculous.

[kieran]

You were talking about the console right? Is the system log different?

[alcimedes]

/var/log/system.log

[kieran]

This is what has been in system.log over the past few minutes. I've had one core shut down twice in the last 15 mins.

Aug 14 16:01:00 MacBook-Air com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.netauth.sysagent[32040]): Stray process with PGID equal to this dead job: PID 32043 PPID 1 check_afpAug 14 16:01:30 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: No pre-backup thinning needed: 249.8 MB requested (including padding), 244.65 GB availableAug 14 16:05:03 MacBook-Air /usr/sbin/ocspd[32110]: startingAug 14 16:05:40 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: Unable to rebuild path cache for source item. Partial source path: Aug 14 16:06:10: --- last message repeated 2 times ---Aug 14 16:10:51 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: Copied 3999 files (66.2 MB) from volume MacBook Air.Aug 14 16:10:55 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: No pre-backup thinning needed: 182.4 MB requested (including padding), 244.65 GB availableAug 14 16:12:47 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: Unable to rebuild path cache for source item. Partial source path: Aug 14 16:13:17: --- last message repeated 2 times ---Aug 14 16:13:23 MacBook-Air /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[32044]: Unable to rebuild path cache for source item. Partial source path:

[alcimedes]

That looks like a Time Machine/Time Capsule style error. You try turning off Time Machine?

[kieran]

I noticed the errors regarding Time Machine. But I think it's just a coincidence.

The freezing has happened without Time Machine running, and I've had many successful backups without it freezing.

[williamb]

Ugh, I want an Air. But with this crap, I'll pass and get a macbook.

[chucker]

MacBook Air Update might resolve the core shutdown issue. (Via MacRumors)

[kieran]

Interesting.

The support rep said something about a software update, but didn't mention when it would be coming out.

Thanks a lot chucker. I'll download this and see if it helps.

Originally Posted by Apple Release Notes What’s New in this Version This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling. Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.

That's exactly what was happening to me. Hopefully this resolves it.

[scratt]

I just came here to post the same link...

http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...airupdate.html

Did it help btw?

[kieran]

I've been using it on and off through the day, but nothing really intensive.

I'll play with it for a few days and see how it works and then post back.

[zsummers]

GAR: Oct. 2010 MBA, running 10.6.8, 1.6 C2D, 4 GB RAM. I'm having issues where the computer appears to be shutting itself down when the lid is closed with plenty of battery (but not plugged in). The shutdowns are bad enough that I'm getting a system date/time reset and it forgets my wireless network / password.

Looking in activity monitor, the only significant process seems to be this, which I cannot quit, no matter who I'm logged in as:

PID: 0,
Process Name: kernel_task,
User: root
% CPU: varies between 3-50%
Threads: constant 58.
Real memory: ~160 MB
2 ports open

Other than iTunes Helper, I don't have any other log in items set. I'm at a loss. I just recently zapped the PRAM and SMC, so perhaps that will help. But I'm wondering if anyone has any other suggestions. I'm bordering on just wiping the drive and reinstalling.

[zsummers]

Oh: I forgot to add this seems to be the only prominent error in Console: 7/19/11 5:59:13 PM UserEventAgent[104] **** ERROR: SCNetworkSignatureCopyActiveIdentifiers returned nil

...though I'm always a little unsure what to look for.

[PB PM]

Sounds like a battery connection problem.

[FFL]

Originally Posted by PB PM Sounds like a battery connection problem.

Yeah - that, or a bad battery, if SMC reset doesn't fix it.

[Maciej]

zsummers: Will I be at the Apple Store soon?

Magic Eight Ball (David Putty Puddy): All signs point to Yes.



Edit: My spelling error threw us all off!

[zsummers]

Originally Posted by Maciej zsummers: Will I be at the Apple Store soon? Magic Eight Ball (David Putty): All signs point to Yes.

Oh how I love me some Putty. I'll be checking out whether it happens again tonight. Then, off to the Apple Store.