svchost.exe taking 90%+ of CPU resources

[Denny]

Hey everyone - first Technet post! i have a Windows XP SP2 desktop that
freezes periodically when one of the svchost.exe processes chews up over 90%
of the system resources. I can end the process, and everything is fine -
but can't seem to figure out what causes it to happen. Any ideas even on
where to START with finding out? It's tough because the svchost process is
used all over the place, but the ONE instance of it screws everything up!

thanks!!
d

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

Hey everyone - first Technet post! i have a Windows XP SP2 desktop that
freezes periodically when one of the svchost.exe processes chews up over
90% of the system resources. I can end the process, and everything is
fine - but can't seem to figure out what causes it to happen. Any ideas
even on where to START with finding out? It's tough because the svchost
process is used all over the place, but the ONE instance of it screws
everything up!

thanks!!

You need to install this patch:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891/

As well as download and install the latest Windows Update Engine from here:

http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

 

[kenkcj]

Or as another way to fix it. I have found out that its having Automatic
Updates turned on that seems to be the pain maker with svchost. Don't
disable the service itself, as you won't be able to install updates from the
website. But if you turn off Automatic Updates from the control panel and
just download and install the updates when you notice issues, it will run
alot better.

 

[crazyal]

yes turn automatic updates off it worked for me aswell

 

[PA Bear]

Is the machine fully patched at Windows Update website?

 

[crazyal]

have you tried turning automatic updates off?