How do I fix this high CPU usage svchost virus or whatever it is?

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Thanks Leo. I've experienced the same problem. I've used the "remove and reinstall" and looks that the system is working properly. Now, the only problem is when I install updates again, cause I go back to the problem. I've also installed the patch KB927891, just in case...
I was lost till I found your page. Please, keep uploading this topic if new solutions are found.

There is an issue between Office 2003 and Microsoft update and Windows XP. If you have this combination, everytime Windows checks for Microsoft updates (not the Windows updates), it will cause to svchost.exe go up to 99% and takes all resources but 1%.
If you wait long enough, the system will run normally eventually, after he has checked for updates.

Visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/901037 to disable Microsoft updates. You can disable automatic updates temporarely to have a working computer again. Maybe you have to reboot. You can kill the task svchost.exe which is running at 99%, to gain control of your Windows.

Here's what I found when my "new" laptop froze up after what I thought was a routine microsoft automatic update. Following the patching instructions included with this patch resolved my problems entirely.
You receive an error message after a Windows XP-based computer runs an automatic update, and you may be unable to run any programs after you close the "svchost.exe - Application Error" error message dialog box SYMPTOMS You configure a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer for Automatic Updates, and the Windows operating system runs an automatic update. Then, you may receive an error message in the svchost.exe - Application Error dialog box that resembles the following: The instruction at "0x745f2780" reference memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be 'read'.
CAUSE This issue may occur because of a problem with the Automatic Updates service. RESOLUTION To resolve this problem, apply the hotfxi that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 927891 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891/) You receive an access violation when you try to install an update from Windows Update after you apply hotfix package 916089

Phew! At last. Thanks Leo This one has been driving me crazy. For the past 10 days I have had to open task manager as soon as the computer starts in order to 'end process' the svchost file that was maxing the CPU. Ir also accounts for the sudden loss of sound on the machine!

I thought it was a virus but AVG and spywarebot didn't find anything.

I will find and reinstall the updates programme and fingers crossed for a permanent fix!

I had this problem. After awhile my computer would overheat from running at 100% and shut down. I tried lots of things including patch KB927891. I had to back this out because it made it worse. The computer is running fine now. What did I do?? This might not make any sense but the only changes I did was to shut Mcafee down for a day and I changed the time of when the Windows automatic update would run. A strange fix for a strange problem.
For the overheating, I also took my computer outside, opened it up and blew the dust out of the insides.

I had this problem and I was about to completely re-install my PC after scanning the system with many different spyware and virus scanners for weeks . I was following the same procedure as Organicman writes earlier: start PC, open taks manager, kill the svchost taking 94% of CPU. The reset script for windows update service did the trick. Many thanks Leo for this golden tip!

Add me to the list of frustrated and disillusioned Windows users. My "roommate" had been experiencing the same slowdown and hanging symptoms mentioned throughout this thread on her desktop, but things really got serious when my computer began acting the same way! Things got even more puzzling when a third computer started having the same problems. Truly, our computers were becoming next to useless, and chalking everything up to coincidence was becoming a stretch. I tried everything I could think of to fix things without success and was about to reformat. Then, out of curiosity, having noticed that "svchost.exe" was hogging system resources, I searched Google and was instantly "enlightened." I wasn't alone – not by far! Thank goodness I didn't spend the time and trouble redoing everything, especially since I would have ended up right back in the same place.

I can't believe this "bug" hasn't made the lead story on the evening news, and can only imagine the thousands, make that millions, of others who must be in the same leaky boat. Between this problem and Vista, I've never been closer switching to Apple!

In case you are not aware, good old MS have finally issued a fix. Go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089

Hope this helps

Regards

Michael

I contacted microsoft support the fix the sent me seems to have taken care of the problem and I am able to use automatic update with no problems. Here's the answer I got from microsoft.

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Windows Update Support. My name is Kino and I am glad to work with you. To contact me, you can send emails directly to my account: v-30kiyu@mssupport.microsoft.com with the case ID SRX1035453845 in the subject line.

From your description, I understand that the Svchost.exe reaches to 95% when running Automatic Updates. If I have misunderstood your concern, please feel free to let me know.

I understand the inconvenience you have experienced. Please be assured that I will do my best to help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

This error is most likely caused by a conflict between an old Windows Update Agent and Microsoft Update Installation Engine. Recently, we released a hot fix, which addresses this issue. Based on the current status, I suggest we try the following steps to troubleshoot the issue.

Step 1: Download and install the hot fix for this issue.

===================================

1. Visit the following link and download the hot fix to the Desktop:

Update for Windows XP (KB927891)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7A81B0CD-A0B9-497E-8A89-404327772E5A&displaylang=en

2. Refer to the Desktop and double-click the downloaded file to install it.

If the issue persists, we can try the next step.

Step 2: Manually download and install the new Windows Update Agent 3.0

========================================================

1. Visit the following link and download Windows Update Agent 3.0 to the Desktop:

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

2. Refer to the Desktop and double-click the downloaded file to install it.

After installing Windows Update Agent 3.0, please check the issue again.

For more information related to this issue, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

FIX: When you run Windows Update to scan for updates that use Windows Installer, including Office updates, CPU utilization may reach 100 percent for prolonged periods

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089/en-us

You receive an access violation when you try to install an update from Windows Update after you apply hotfix package 916089

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

WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) Team Blog

http://blogs.technet.com/wsus/archive/2007/04/28/update-on.aspx

Look at these articles.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932494
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891

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