kernal_task taking bulk %cpu

[efoto]

Could be basics, not sure, but I don't know what kernal_task is (although I assume its the kernal in charge of the tasks ) but I usually don't' see it high on the list in Activity Monitor.

I put the PB to sleep going to lunch (because on Friday we play cards afterwards, long time away) and when I wake it up, kernal_task is taking upwards of 25% cpu. What exactly is kernal_task and what does it do? I am pretty sure I need it running, but I have no idea why

 

[yellow]

As you suspected, the kernel task is just that..

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpost.php?p=183614&postcount=2

I wouldn't be too concerned with kernel_task taking 25% of the CPU coming back from sleep. If it lasts longer then a few minutes, I'd be casting a more wary eye at it.

 

[Lacero]

In Panther, sometimes the Finder process would take up 100% or 200% in the case of my G5 PowerMac for several minutes on end. Had no idea what it was doing, but since the process was owned by root, I thought it benign, but it sucks because mouse movement was very jerky.

However, I rarely get it now in 10.3.9 so it might have been a bug.

 

[efoto]

As you suspected, the kernel task is just that..

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpost.php?p=183614&postcount=2

I wouldn't be too concerned with kernel_task taking 25% of the CPU coming back from sleep. If it lasts longer then a few minutes, I'd be casting a more wary eye at it.

Perfect explanation, thank you.

It only lasted perhaps a minute or two, not more so I wasn't overly concerned, just curious
Thanks again.