SVCHOST.exe taking up almost all of the CPU processes

[reynolwi]

Ok i have noticed now that here recently the process SVCHOST.exe is taking up between 90% - 100% of the cpu and its normally when WUAUCLT.eve is running under that process. When this happens the entire machine slow to almost a halt and this will last for a few mintues and then it starts letting up on the CPU and it finally finishes what every it was doing.

I have a dell dimension 8400 and its got like a 3.0 or 3.2 Ghz P4 in it with 1.5 gb ram. I dont see why its doing this.

Wm. Reynolds
RRWDS | TxPSS

http://www.rrwds.com

http://www.txpubsafety.com

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[Ploper001]

This is a known problem if you have Windows XP and Office 2003 both fully updated - any time you go to update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate or your computer checks for updates if you have Automatic Updates on, svchost.exe will use up 90+% CPU Time.

There are a few fixes but none are guaranteed to work. The official Microsoft fix, while not under general release, is available here:

http://dragonq.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/WindowsXP-KB916089-v5-x86-ENU.exe

Not guaranteed to work though. Personally if it doesn't help, I would disable Automatic Updates and manually check for updates once a week when not doing anything else (and thus the 90+% CPU Time being used won't be a problem).

 

[linney]

If Microsoft's fix has no effect try these.

svchost.exe & generic host process
thread779-1254559

Any way to calm the Windows update client?
thread779-1301661

A Description of Svchost.exe (Q314056)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314056&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Windows Update Troubleshooter

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

svchost.exe CPU Usage 100

http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=906329&SiteID=2