MBA REV.B Kernel_Panic - what apple has to say

[so-marc-said]

Hello, (sorry I meant kernel_task)

So today was the final straw, i was sitting at a desk (so not blocking any air vents on the laptop) simply watching a youtube video. The only app's open were safari and mail all is going well then suddenly everything grounds to a halt.

istat was showing a kernel_task at over 500% and all i was doing was watching an online video (which wasn't HD)

I searched all over the internet regarding this, and most people having the issue were REV.A users. They suggest using coolbook. Further reading showed that apple had released an update for REV.A users which allegedly solved this problem. But nothing for REV.B

This only happens in OS X. I can do the exact same in windows XP and never experience a slow down.

I spoke to apple and all they could tell me was "when the macbook air overheat's it shuts down a core, that's the way it handles it" - thats all very well, but we don't break down our front door if we leave the key at work!

Has anyone else with this issue actually been able to come close to a solution for it? Or is it something that we are all just going to have to learn to live with.



Marc

 

[h1d]

You can edit the title by going 'Advanced' edit mode. And the firmware update doesn't really fix anything about kernel_task, just prevents the core from shutting down which means, in reality, nothing is fixed. It's a software issue, so XP doesn't get it, or OS X with CoolBook. Forget Apple about this, they don't know any better than CoolBook author. Just spend the $10 and be done with it for good. It's good for watching HD vids too with a better throttling config.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Interesting. I'll have to check that out because I don't think my KT uses 500%.

 

[h1d]

Isn't that a typo? How could it go more than 200%? And the point isn't really about it being 500 or 200 anyway.

 

[bobsaget611]

After spending very close to a month speaking to Apple Engineers trying EVERY possible fix, we could not find one single one. We reinstalled the OS multiple times, replaced about every component, did other component resets, weird boot ups, etc. Not ONE could fix the issue.

That is why I am now typing from a MacBook Pro.

BTW I find the problem you described to be mine EXACTLY except my kernel_task went up to about 130-150 only 500 seems ridiculous I can't even imagine how slow that machine would get.

 

[ayeying]

I think the 500% was exaggerated. But after the firmware fix, I haven't seen kernel task jump up at all even when the system throttles down cause I watched too many youtube vids on the bed

 

[h1d]

After spending very close to a month speaking to Apple Engineers trying EVERY possible fix, we could not find one single one. We reinstalled the OS multiple times, replaced about every component, did other component resets, weird boot ups, etc. Not ONE could fix the issue.

That is why I am now typing from a MacBook Pro.

BTW I find the problem you described to be mine EXACTLY except my kernel_task went up to about 130-150 only 500 seems ridiculous I can't even imagine how slow that machine would get.

Man, what are you doing when a $10 app actually confidently fixes the problem? And how can CPU usage go up to 500%... out of 200% max...

 

[bobsaget611]

Man, what are you doing when a $10 app actually confidently fixes the problem? And how can CPU usage go up to 500%... out of 200% max...

I just would rather not have to deal with that POS any longer and dont want to have to buy a $10 "cure-all" program that probably would have limited success. The MacBook Pro is perfect for me, I'm never going back. The Air is only good for people who don't use videos at all, that is the downfall of the machine. I like watching videos so the Air was painful to use, for me.

 

[h1d]

If MBP suits you better, that's great, but don't know what you're referring to as 'limited success'.