svchost.exe ?

[Henry Kolesnik]

When I hear my fan running it means that I can't do much. When I check
the task manager , if have it up, I can see that the svchost.exe is
using 100% of the cpu. I cancel the process and it stops and cpu
returns to normal.
What's the cause and how can I prevent it from happening because
sometimes I have to reboot by shutting of the power because I can't
restart using the mouse.
Sometimes it's so bad that I have to restore about a week back.
Any tips appreciated.
tnx
Hank

 

[Ron Martell]

When I hear my fan running it means that I can't do much. When I check
the task manager , if have it up, I can see that the svchost.exe is
using 100% of the cpu. I cancel the process and it stops and cpu
returns to normal.
What's the cause and how can I prevent it from happening because
sometimes I have to reboot by shutting of the power because I can't
restart using the mouse.
Sometimes it's so bad that I have to restore about a week back.
Any tips appreciated.
tnx
Hank

When you have Task Manager open make note of the PID number for the
problem instance of SVCHOST as there will normally be 5 or 6 different
instances of SVCHOST running.

Then open a Command Prompt windows (Start - Run - CMD) and enter the
following command:

TASKLIST /SVC

Locate the problem instance of SVCHOST using the PID number and make
note of the specific services that are running under that instance.
Post that information back here.

Note 1: If your computer does not have the TASKLIST utility installed
you can get it from
http://www.xmission.com/~comphope/download/winxp.htm


Note 2: The most likely cause of this type of behavior is a malware
infestation of some kind (virus/trojan/spyware). It will probably be
worthwhile to go to one of the following free online scanning sites
and do a complete scan of your computer:
Bit Defender http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Trend Micro http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Kaspersky Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
WindowSecurity.com TrojanScan http://windowssecurity.com/trojanscan
Webroot http://www.webroot.com/

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Henry,

IF it's not malware causing the issue, then it's:
The Infamous Svchost Issue
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1071

Try the steps posted May 4th at the top of the article first to see if
that resolves the issue.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

[crazyal]

turn automatic updates off

 

[Henry Kolesnik]

I downloaded the fix and installed it per instructions, thanks...
Now it's wait and see what happens.
Hank

Henry,

IF it's not malware causing the issue, then it's:
The Infamous Svchost Issue
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1071

Try the steps posted May 4th at the top of the article first to see if
that resolves the issue.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

When I hear my fan running it means that I can't do much. When I
check the task manager , if have it up, I can see that the
svchost.exe is using 100% of the cpu. I cancel the process and it
stops and cpu returns to normal.
What's the cause and how can I prevent it from happening because
sometimes I have to reboot by shutting of the power because I can't
restart using the mouse.
Sometimes it's so bad that I have to restore about a week back.
Any tips appreciated.
tnx
Hank

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Also suggest you do some housecleaning in WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
Show hidden files, folders, and system files -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html#winxp

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
Open the Download subfolder and delete *all contents*
Open the EventCache subfolder and delete *all contents*
Close Windows Explorer
Empty the Recycle Bin

Did you also install KB927891 ?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

I downloaded the fix and installed it per instructions, thanks...
Now it's wait and see what happens.
Hank

Henry,

IF it's not malware causing the issue, then it's:
The Infamous Svchost Issue
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1071

Try the steps posted May 4th at the top of the article first to see if
that resolves the issue.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

When I hear my fan running it means that I can't do much. When I
check the task manager , if have it up, I can see that the
svchost.exe is using 100% of the cpu. I cancel the process and it
stops and cpu returns to normal.
What's the cause and how can I prevent it from happening because
sometimes I have to reboot by shutting of the power because I can't
restart using the mouse.
Sometimes it's so bad that I have to restore about a week back.
Any tips appreciated.
tnx
Hank