Mac OS X's task manager utility application. It is used to perform different tasks on computer processes, as well as monitor system resource usage.
23
votes
2answers
8k views
What's the difference between Real, Virtual, Shared, and Private Memory?
The different columns in Activity Monitor are a little confusing
7
votes
2answers
386 views
How can virtual memory be greater than the total available space?
Why does my MBP sometimes report VM Size: 300+ GB in Activity Monitor under System Memory tab, when my hard disk size is only 250 GB (total) and RAM is 4GB? I know it can't magically get that extra ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
How does 'stuck' (in results of 'top') relate to 'not responding' (in Activity Monitor), 'spin' or 'hang'?
In results of top commands, I sometimes see stuck.
Apple's top(1) OS X Manual Page does not explain this use of the word.
How, if it all, does stuck relate to the following?
not responding – ...
12
votes
5answers
12k views
How do I debug an out-of-control “kernel_task” process?
Just recently I noticed my battery life having a pretty significant drop and the "kernel_task" process using quite a bit of CPU (a constant 1-6% on my 2.8ghz dual-core i7, 2010 MBP). Obviously I think ...
4
votes
2answers
415 views
What process is accessing the hard drive?
I can hear the hard drive chugging away when it should be idle. Some process is writing/reading from it in semi-random bursts, let's say once every second. Very annoying and wasteful.
I tried ...
2
votes
1answer
24k views
Managing and removing startup processes on OSX Lion
My Startup Items for my username (i am admin) shows only dropbox - yet a look at my processes (in activity monitor) shows other helper processes from Adobe, Lexmark, etc, etc.
Where can I see and ...
8
votes
1answer
919 views
What does it mean when a %CPU exceeds (# of cores) x 100%?
Several responses to a question I asked earlier suggested I try Opera kiosk mode, so I decided to download it and give it a try. Once the download had completed and the disk image was being verified, ...
