svchost.exe

[Guest]

Hi,

I have a question regarding the svchost.exe. Funnily
enough after downloading and installing a microsoft
automatic update I noticed that outlook is taking quite a
while to load on my pc running XP Pro, reason being one
of the svchost services run by username system takes 80%
of my CPU. Any ideas on how I can resolve this issue? i
have also checked for known viruses about this issue but
it doesn;t seem to be the case.

Thanks and regards,
Etienne

 

[Malke]

Hi,

I have a question regarding the svchost.exe. Funnily
enough after downloading and installing a microsoft
automatic update I noticed that outlook is taking quite a
while to load on my pc running XP Pro, reason being one
of the svchost services run by username system takes 80%
of my CPU. Any ideas on how I can resolve this issue? i
have also checked for known viruses about this issue but
it doesn;t seem to be the case.

Thanks and regards,
Etienne

How about checking for unknown viruses, too? ;-) Seriously, I assume you
didn't just go to an online virus checker or run a simple standalone
like Stinger and that you have a full-fledged av program installed.
Spyware can also be a cause of this sort of problem. Remove spyware
with Spybot Search & Destroy from www.security.kolla.de and Ad-aware
from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs before
running them. It is best to run antivirus and spyware removal tools in
Safe Mode.

Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It's perfectly normal to have several instances of Svchost.exe
running simultaneously.

A Description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314056

However, if Svchost.exe is using a large portion of your CPU
cycles, it has most likely been "hijacked" by a worm or Trojan. Have
you tried using a decent antivirus application with the most
currently-available virus definition files? A strong candidate would
be W32.Welchia.Worm.

W32.Welchia.Worm a.k.a. W32/Nachi.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.welchia.worm.html

Because many of the newer viruses and worms can disable antivirus
applications whose definitions weren't up-to-date, try using one or
more of the free on-line scanners to double-check your system.

Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH