svchost.exe using up 99% CPU

[Guest]

When I boot up, the svchost.exe (username: SYSTEM), runs constantly for 10
minutes+ using up almost 99-100% CPU cycles.

I rebuilt my system (reinstalled XP Home, SP2) a couple of months ago. This
was a similar problem I was having before the rebuild.

I know the svchost.exe has the potential for malware, and at the moment am
not running any anti-virus software (anyone have any suggestions of their
favorite? I do own NIS, but found that way too onerous on my system), and was
wondering if it sounds like a potential virus or spyware. Thx.

 

[Ron Martell]

When I boot up, the svchost.exe (username: SYSTEM), runs constantly for 10
minutes+ using up almost 99-100% CPU cycles.

I rebuilt my system (reinstalled XP Home, SP2) a couple of months ago. This
was a similar problem I was having before the rebuild.

I know the svchost.exe has the potential for malware, and at the moment am
not running any anti-virus software (anyone have any suggestions of their
favorite? I do own NIS, but found that way too onerous on my system), and was
wondering if it sounds like a potential virus or spyware. Thx.

Go to one of the following free online scanning sites and check your
computer for malware. It certainly sounds like you have something
infesting your machine.
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/

Not installing NIS was a wise decision, in my opinion. It is a
classic example of how the cure can all too often be worse than the
disease. But you do need protection from both viruses and spyware.

AVG - Free antivirus and antispyware - http://free.grisoft.com
AVAST - Free antivirus - http://www.avast.com
Windows Defender - Free antispyware - http://download.microsoft.com

There are also a number of quite good commercial products available,
including ones from Bitware, Trend Micro, AVG, Kaspersky, and Panda.

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."

 

[Guest]

I am having similar problems; according to task manager, my computer can
sometimes be running svchost.exe six times or more. The users running these
are mostly SYSTEM, but also LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE. These
generally don't take up much of the CPU, but if I am running high-RAM
programs (specifically Google Earth), it tends to take up a fair bit of
memory (one does anyway, the others don't alter). Any ideas?

PS I am running Windows XP Home SP2, and I had a virus in December, and
struggled to remove it as I had an out-of-date version of McAffee Internet
Security installed. I now have Norton Internet Security installed, but I
don't think it is very good, although I can't do much because it is my Mam's
computer. The only "malware" it discovers on my weekly scheduled scan is a
tracing cookie, and I remove this everytime.

Thanks

 

[Leythos]

I am having similar problems; according to task manager, my computer can
sometimes be running svchost.exe six times or more. The users running these
are mostly SYSTEM, but also LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE. These
generally don't take up much of the CPU, but if I am running high-RAM
programs (specifically Google Earth), it tends to take up a fair bit of
memory (one does anyway, the others don't alter). Any ideas?

PS I am running Windows XP Home SP2, and I had a virus in December, and
struggled to remove it as I had an out-of-date version of McAffee Internet
Security installed. I now have Norton Internet Security installed, but I
don't think it is very good, although I can't do much because it is my Mam's
computer. The only "malware" it discovers on my weekly scheduled scan is a
tracing cookie, and I remove this everytime.

NIS is a serious resource pig, it will use a LOT of system resources.

Get a NAT Router (Linksys, D-Link) and use it as your primary blocking
measure, then use the Windows Firewall, then install a Antivirus only
product, your pick.

Download the GREAT Multi-AV tool, install it, update it, then run it in
safe mode - if it says you're system is clean then you're clean.

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

 

[Ron Martell]

I am having similar problems; according to task manager, my computer can
sometimes be running svchost.exe six times or more. The users running these
are mostly SYSTEM, but also LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE. These
generally don't take up much of the CPU, but if I am running high-RAM
programs (specifically Google Earth), it tends to take up a fair bit of
memory (one does anyway, the others don't alter). Any ideas?

6 instances of SVCHOST is normal and expected in Windows XP.

Google Earth is a very demanding graphics program, and it is to be
expected that the graphics support services (some of which run under
SVCHOST) would be using lots of memory when this application is
running.

You can see which specific services are running under the various
instances of SVCHOST by using the TASKLIST utility. TASKLIST is
included with XP Pro but needs to be downloaded and installed if you
have XP Home. http://www.xmission.com/~comphope/download/winxp.htm

Open a Command Prompt window and enter the following command:

TASKLIST /SVC

The listed items can be related to the Task Manager report by using
the PID number.

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."

 

[Ken]

6 instances of SVCHOST is normal and expected in Windows XP.

Google Earth is a very demanding graphics program, and it is to be
expected that the graphics support services (some of which run under
SVCHOST) would be using lots of memory when this application is
running.

You can see which specific services are running under the various
instances of SVCHOST by using the TASKLIST utility. TASKLIST is
included with XP Pro but needs to be downloaded and installed if you
have XP Home. http://www.xmission.com/~comphope/download/winxp.htm

Open a Command Prompt window and enter the following command:

TASKLIST /SVC

The listed items can be related to the Task Manager report by using
the PID number.

Good luck

Take alook at the Microsoft knowledge base - suspect KB916089 applys -

this now points to a fix on KB927891 which is now on general release