WSUS "killing" computers 1

[julesNDC]

It looks like WSUS is “killing” computers on my network.

Apparently every time the computers report to the WSUS server, there is a svchost.exe process that suddenly uses 95 to 100% of CPU for 20 to 30 sec.

Is there a way to change when and how often WSUS contacts the computers (or is it the other way around?)

Thanks

 

[porkchopexpress]

The computers connect to the WSUS server and the wuclient runs in the svchost process. You can change the scan frequency but the max setting is 22 hours.

The reason apparently is that the WSUS catalog has got pretty big and takes a while to search.

 

[julesNDC]

Right now it's scaning every 2 hours. How do I change it to every 12 hours?

 

[porkchopexpress]

There is a hotfix for this from MS.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;916089&sd=rss&spid=3223

Someone hosts the file here but i can't vouch for it's origin alt you can call MS.

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

Also take a look here for more info.

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/rtre...e-response-to-ITMU-updates_2E002E002E00_.aspx

 

[porkchopexpress]

Are you running active directory? If so you can change the settings here:

Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then click Windows Update

 

[porkchopexpress]

Seems like this is upsetting a few people and MS are apparently working on it.

http://msmvps.com/blogs/thenakedmvp...atch-for-the-100-cpu-use-and-memory-leak.aspx

 

[julesNDC]

seems to it... Thanks Microsot...again :-(

I found that under Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Update, there is a setting for "Automatic Updates Detection Frequecy" It is currently set for 1 hour. Not sure if it is the default but looks like that's where the problem is.

Thanks alot for your help porkchopexpress

 

[porkchopexpress]

No probs.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Oh also excluding the C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution dir from you AV software can make a big difference.

 

[Roadki11]

I am having the same issue, started with half a dozen pcs acting up, now im lucky if half a dozen pc's work right out of about 100 machines. Hours and hours the pc's will run at 100%, WSUS is worthless to me now. I have tried the MS 916089 and it did nothing to fix the issue, turning off AV does not fix the issue and deleting the contents of SoftwareDistribution folder does not fix the issue. It affects both XP and 2k workstations. Only thing it doesnt seem to affect is my 2k3 and 2k servers. Really a shame, until about 3 months ago i never had an issue with it, approve the updates and forget about it, now im afraid to even approve a single update because it takes me all day or more to sort out the issue. Funny thing is if manually go out to windows update it scans, downloads, and installs normally.

RoadKi11

 

[porkchopexpress]

I'm surprised that turning off AV doesn't help i've got about 50 800Mhz boxes that churnaway all day at update time, i turn off NOD32 active scanning and they install it still takes a while though.

The issue is to do with the size of the WSUS catalog apparently and MS don't seem to be rushing to sort it. Surely all that's required is to make the agent casually browse the catlog in the background.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Apparently dial a fix helps some people but i has to be run on one PC at a time and i've not noticed any difference after trying it.

http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

 

[Roadki11]

Ive tried dial a fix also, it didnt help me either. I just wish they would release a fix that would reduce the priority of the svchost it runs under, put it at low priority and let it scan all damn day for all i care. Atleast the pc could still be used.

 

[porkchopexpress]

That's two votes. Help us MS, you're our only hope!