Svchost and Svchost.exe - Crashs, CPU maximization, viruses, exploits and more.

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when i booted up my PC the svchost.exe would eat up tons of processing power (80-90%).. however i was able to make this stop by disabling atomatic updates... now the problem only returns when i manually try to find updates...

I run Windows XP and I attempted the recommended process for solving the svchost.exe problem, but after I go Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Internet Connection Properties -> Advanced and go to check the "Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet" settings button an error message comes up that says: "Windows Firewall settings cannot be displayed because the associated service is not running. Do you want to start the windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Service? [Ok] [Cancel].

What does this mean, and do you have any recommended course of action?

Ok,
svchost.exe is at 99% on my laptop. I read all the data/suggestions posted. I followed the usual "règles de guerre" in trying to rid myself of this pest. Updated my antivirus, ran a scan, ran the latest stinger utility, ran "tasklist" with no success, except that the PID was 660. I finally downloaded "process explorer"....http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/ProcessExplorer.mspx
and found out it was a very unlikely source.
windows\system32\1032\dll\projects\setiathome.berkeley\svchost.exe
HA! I laughed myself silly. I have never gone to the SETI site......I did do a search on svchost.exe, but was reluctant to just start deleting anything without any associations...

Bottom line..... Download process explorer and then you will see where this file is associated by PID. Then kill it.

Mike.

Like Stephan above, I end the process in the task manager but then I lose all sound from my machine and end up restarting my computer. The SVCHOST.EXE always grabs 100% and I blame it on static electricity. As long as I walk around barefoot, no problem. I only need to know how to restart the hoggish svchost.exe without resorting to a complete restart.

I too get daily problems with svchost.exe and I have ended the process using Task Manager but like others this merely results in further delays and problems with other programmes so I dont do it anymore.

I have taken all the advice, I already had firewalls, Ad-Aware, Windows Defender and Virus Software, all up to date but it still happens.

My view is that as soon as this programme decides to do what it does it seems best to let it get on with it (whatever it is) go make some coffee and come back when its finished. It takes longer to finish if you muck about so why bother. It just all goes to show how impossibly silly these machines are, give me back my quill pen and parchment please!

I agree, I used to bring the task manager up the first thing when I switched on the computer then stopped the process if it went to 100% but now I just switch on the computer and let it run, go and make myself a cup of coffee then only come back to the computer, I guess we just have to take it easy!

All, the runaway process is most likely "automatic Updates" (ie wuauclt.exe). The fix is to reinstall the file. go to this site for more details (http://www.amset.info/windows/auto-updates.asp). Go to the bottom of the page and skip the restart and fix and go to directly reinstall (make sure all the update processes are off first). Good Luck. MP

I found that the best way to fix this problem is to format the hard drive and install Linux.

Along with the numerous people, I myself has experienced the same problem. First, we turn on the computer. All good. Second we log in and wait patiently as svchost.exe runs SYSTEM runs up to 100%. The only way to take it down and access any kind of program is to shut it down from the windows task manager. This takes out the sound and sometimes messes up the dial-up phone book. I have downloaded countless programs to scan and prevent further happenings, but still the problem consists. Crashing the computer with a baseball bat seems the better alternative to a virus crashing it. What to do?

Morning,

I have the problem listed above, svchost is running when I am connected to the internet. It clogs up all my CPU and if I want to be able to do anything at all I need to end that process (I have numerous svchosts running, of which one is taking up 99% cpu).

anyway, I tried to use your advice and turn on the "Protect my computer and network by limiting..." however I don't have a check mark for it only a [settings] box. when I click that it asks me if I want to install it and when I click yes it gives me some sort of error.

I first got this problem this morning when I booted up my computer...I have never seen it before to this extent.

Help! =)

thanks much,
~kyle

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