"kernel_task" going nuts agian

[mainstreetmark]

My kernel_task (according top 'top -u' in the term) is running up over 30% constantly again. It's been doing this for a few days now. Rebooting fixes it for a while.

But, how can I tell what's causing it? My research revealed that it's something probably hardware related, but I don't have anything new, really. BT keyboard, mouse, charging iPod and a Merlin C201.

Is there any error log or anything that I could use to help diagnose, other than unplugging stuff?

[j33pd0g]

What else do you have running? My kernel_tas jumps from 0 to 0.8 and that's about it. With all of my apps open at once (iTunes and and QT playing in the background) it jumps from 0.8 to 2.7.
I have 17 days of uptime.

[mainstreetmark]

I've had 12 days of uptime before my first reboot on this problem. There have been no new software installs that i can recall (iChat Status?). I'm running only mail, proteus, ichat, safari, IE, dreamweaver, and X+OpenOffice. Hardware is currently bluetooth mouse (and a bluetooth keyboard is in range but unused), and a Merlin C201 that I've been using for a month with no problems.

I'm beginning to suspect X+OO, since i rarely run those, but have been in the last few days.

[mainstreetmark]

My problem appears to be something to do with X or OpenOffice or "Excel", or all three. The problem persists even after OO and X are shut down, and do not re-occur until I start them back up.

I'm using the version of X that came with Panther, even though I had it running in Jag. OpenOffice hasn't been touched since Jag, so I bet there's an update.

Is there a simple excel viewer for native OSX, so that I don't have to mess with X, i wonder?