airport taking up the majority of cpu

[cjs226]

I noticed my Macbook (Intel/2Gb Ram/10.4.8) was running a bit sluggish. When running <nice top -o cpu> I see the process "airport" always taking up around 90% of the cpu. I've turned off Airport to no avail. Any ideas? I'm up to date on all software/firmware updates.

Thanks, Clif

[hayne]

You mean that this process "airport" continues to run even though you've turned off Airport?
Have you restarted your Mac?

You can perhaps find out more about this "airport" process by using Activity Monitor in "hierarchical" mode (via the View menu I think) - that will show you the parent process.

[pnsji]

I start noticing this lately. Very often, right after I boot the laptop, the airport program will occupy 95% of the CPU and 1.5 GB of ram. I have been monitoring using the "Activity Monitor"
I notice my laptop is running hot (80+ degree).

Do you guys have the same problem?
I have MBP 17" 2.16 CD with 10.4.8
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4600/airportpm2.jpg

[hayne]

As I said above:
You can perhaps find out more about this "airport" process by using Activity Monitor in "hierarchical" mode (via the View menu I think) - that will show you the parent process.

Also look for relevant error messages in the logs.
Launch the "Console" application (under /Applications/Utilities) and look for relevant error messages. Note that messages are labeled with the date & time so you can use that to locate the part of the log to look at. Copy & paste the relevant messages back here so we can see them.
Be sure to look at system.log as well as console.log (Use the "Logs" button (top-left) to see the various logs available - note that you will probably need to be an "admin" user to see the system.log)

[cjs226]

Yes I was having the problem. At about the same time I was having problems connecting via WEP consistently. I've since moved to WPA and all seems well now. I don't understand it.

[pnsji]

I just found the cause: Checkpoint (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Check_Point)

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3522640

I uninstall checkpoint and it is normal now.
Now I need to figure out how to make the built in VPN to work.........

[Number6]

Apple just released a new AirPort update yesterday (12/13) for Core 2 Duo's:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/airportupdate2006002.html

The announcement reads as follows:

AirPort Update 2006-002

About this update

AirPort Update 2006-002 improves AirPort compatibility in the following computers:

• MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo)
• MacBook (13-inch Core 2 Duo)

I found this thread when Googling about the problem I was seeing on my MacBook Pro -- and joined the Forums to make this post. (Found out about the update at MacInTouch.)

I had de-installed Checkpoint, but will re-install after applying the update and see if we have a fix. Didn't know if someone else wanted to give it a shot as well...

Adam Hauerwas

PS: Re: what to do if there's no fix? I have BootCamp with the VPN software "over there" :-)

[Number6]

No such luck. Installed CheckPoint SecureRemote (SecureClient_B612001001_1.pkg) downloaded from CheckPoint's site today, and still got 100% CPU on process "airport".

Sigh...

Adam Hauerwas

[tatilsever]

I use Checkpoint VPN as well on my iMac CD without any major issues, but I don't remember checking how much CPU it uses. BTW, I use WEP, that might be why.

[debohun]

I downloaded and installed the VMWare Beta 3 of Fusion earlier in the week and almost immediately starting having performance issues with my MacBook, even though I never actually ran the Fusion application (only installed it). It took me several days to identify the "Airport" process that was causing the problem, and then to isolate the likely suspect. Uninstalling VMWare Beta 3 instantly fixed the problem. With VMWare installed, my MacBook's fan was running constantly. Until VMWare resolves this bug, I wonder if it might not be potentially damaging to install it on any Apple portable.

[ebeans]

This happens to me once every few months, esp. after I switch or rename my router. My solution has always been:

Delete all .plist related to airport (search for "airport" in Finder).

Works like a charm for me. I wouldn't do this if you have some special settings or VPN or whatever in your airport preferences/settings though.

[lennn]

For most of us the problem is definitely coming from the VMWare fusion install.
Here's a nice discussion over at VMWare with an acknowledgement and solution from VMWare's guys:
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=90476&start=0&tstart=0