svchost.exe using all system resources

[Ckoslow]

I have notice poor performance latly on a few machines and noticed that svchost would sometimes spike to 99% of system CPU and then go back to its normal levels even while the computer is not being used. Any ideas on what this could be?

 

[arbytech]

Did you try running both Ad-Aware and Spybot? Also a full virus scan would be a good thing to try.

 

[dakota81]

I know some variants of the Blaster Worm desguise themselves as svchost.exe.

 

[bcastner]

The problem is that svchost is not a single process, but a loader for many applets.

Anyone of which could be the underlying issue. As could malware as member dakota81 noted above.

Please see:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/svchost.htm

 

[Ckoslow]

I scan adware and a virus scan from safemode and cleaned off any spyware that was on the system but I still notice this is happening

 

[bcastner]

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml