svchost.exe CPU usage so high, spoils user experience

Dot Net Developer · External Since: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 9

Running XP Pro on old Dell Celeron machine. svchost.exe hogs CPU usage
and makes working on PC v. slow experience.

Using taskmanager, I see svchost "instance" (there are 4 or 5 of them
running) has a PID value of 764, which is explorer.exe. (On machine
shutdown, I usually get a "Program not responding" messagebox for
explorer.exe.)

Any thoughts please?

Thanks, regards, dnw.

Dot Net Developer · External Since: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 9

Dot Net Developer wrote:
> svchost.exe hogs CPU usage .....(etc)

Thanks v. much for all help.

I have fixed it - using Process Monitor, I stopped the windows update
process inside svchost. This immediately stopped the CPU "hogging".

Inside XP's security center, I have disabled windows automatic update.
This is a good temporary fix, as I can now use the PC properly without
any serious slowdowns.

If I attempt to manually check for Windows updates using the familiar
windows update website, when you see the green progress bar on the
screen after you click either the Express button or the Custom button,
it hangs for about 30 minutes before either failing to proceed, or in
rare cases, it succeeds and then allows you to continue to choose
updates. But I've always had this problem with this old Dell machine,
and I don't understand what is causing this problem.

However, I'm v. pleased the machine is usable once more, albeit without
the automatic windows update turned on, or without the means of quickly
getting a manual windows update either.

Thanks a lot, regards, dnw.

JS · External Since: Jun 11, 2006 Posts: 2352

From Ramesh's web site: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/svchost.htm
Also: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056

To find out more about Svchost.exe entries try Process Explorer which is now
part of Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/Proces...plorer.

Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and 'Show Lower
Pane' options.
(This will provide the detailed info you need)
Next click/Expand the Svchost.exe process that you are interest in.
Then highlight one of the process listed under Svchost, right click and from
the options listed select: google
This should display what out there on the web about that process.

Still another tool is What's Running
http://www.whatsrunning.net/whatsrunning/main.aspx

JS

"Dot Net Developer" wrote in message

> Running XP Pro on old Dell Celeron machine. svchost.exe hogs CPU usage
> and makes working on PC v. slow experience.
>
> Using taskmanager, I see svchost "instance" (there are 4 or 5 of them
> running) has a PID value of 764, which is explorer.exe. (On machine
> shutdown, I usually get a "Program not responding" messagebox for
> explorer.exe.)
>
> Any thoughts please?
>
> Thanks, regards, dnw.
>

Dot Net Developer · External Since: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 9

PA Bear wrote:
> 1b. Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) & reboot:
>
> C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

I tried both suggestions - deleteing the DataStore and also the
SoftwareDistribution, but whenever I try a manual windows update, it
hangs on the green progress bar doing the "checking for updates for
your computer" operation. I tried just now and waited over 40 minutes
and then gave up.

Regards, dnw.

gcjc1 · External Since: Jan 30, 2005 Posts: 4684

Download Process Explorer.

For further information about Process Explorer see here:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

To ascertain which service is causing the problem select the svchost
producing the high CPU usage, right click,
select Properties, Services. Note there are the full names and
some explanation of what each service does.

You will find further information on Services here:
http://majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=12

To trace the particular Service involved you need to turn off each
service in turn and then restore it noting what effect it has on CPU
usage. However, you need to take care and watch what other Services are
dependent on that service. When you click on the Dependencies tab allow
it a little time to display the information.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dot Net Developer" wrote in message

> Running XP Pro on old Dell Celeron machine. svchost.exe hogs CPU usage
> and makes working on PC v. slow experience.
>
> Using taskmanager, I see svchost "instance" (there are 4 or 5 of them
> running) has a PID value of 764, which is explorer.exe. (On machine
> shutdown, I usually get a "Program not responding" messagebox for
> explorer.exe.)
>
> Any thoughts please?
>
> Thanks, regards, dnw.
>

pabearmvp · External Since: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 8221

Dot Net Developer wrote:
> Dot Net Developer wrote:
>> svchost.exe hogs CPU usage .....(etc)
>
> Thanks v. much for all help.
>
> I have fixed it - using Process Monitor, I stopped the windows update
> process inside svchost. This immediately stopped the CPU "hogging".
>
> Inside XP's security center, I have disabled windows automatic update.
> This is a good temporary fix, as I can now use the PC properly without
> any serious slowdowns.
>
> If I attempt to manually check for Windows updates using the familiar
> windows update website, when you see the green progress bar on the
> screen after you click either the Express button or the Custom button,
> it hangs for about 30 minutes before either failing to proceed, or in
> rare cases, it succeeds and then allows you to continue to choose
> updates. But I've always had this problem with this old Dell machine,
> and I don't understand what is causing this problem.
>
> However, I'm v. pleased the machine is usable once more, albeit without
> the automatic windows update turned on, or without the means of quickly
> getting a manual windows update either.

1a. Re-enable Automatic Updates ASAP!

1b. Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) &
reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

1c. If no joy, try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder
itself) & reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

pabearmvp · External Since: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 8221

Dot Net Developer wrote:
> PA Bear wrote:
>> 1b. Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) &
>> reboot:
>>
>> C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
>
> I tried both suggestions - deleteing the DataStore and also the
> SoftwareDistribution, but whenever I try a manual windows update, it
> hangs on the green progress bar doing the "checking for updates for
> your computer" operation. I tried just now and waited over 40 minutes
> and then gave up.

Is Microsoft Update your default (vs Windows Update)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

Dot Net Developer · External Since: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 9

Gerry Cornell wrote:
> FIX: -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089

Unfortunately MS don't allow this fix to be downloaded. You need to
contact them and ask for it. My copy (an original) of XP Pro was
bought in used condition from ebay - it's also a Dell branded
"re-install / recovery" version. I just have this rather jaded feeling
that I'd be wasting my time trying to get the fix from them. I'm also
broke atm, and couldn't afford to pay for it.

Maybe they will one day merge this fix in to SP3 when (or if) it comes
out?

Regards, dnw.

Dot Net Developer · External Since: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 9

PA Bear wrote:
> Is Microsoft Update your default (vs Windows Update)?

I'm not sure! When I click the Start button, I see both at the top of
the pop up choices menu, in this order -

Windows Update
(then)
Microsoft Update

I'm sure I've tried both, and I seem to remember they do exactly the
same thing. One thing: I have Office 2003 Professional installed on
the machine, and I've read that this can cause a problem with the
automatic update service.

Regards, dnw.

gcjc1 · External Since: Jan 30, 2005 Posts: 4684

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

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dot Net Developer" wrote in message

> PA Bear wrote:
>> 1b. Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) &
>> reboot:
>>
>> C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
>
> I tried both suggestions - deleteing the DataStore and also the
> SoftwareDistribution, but whenever I try a manual windows update, it
> hangs on the green progress bar doing the "checking for updates for
> your computer" operation. I tried just now and waited over 40 minutes
> and then gave up.
>
> Regards, dnw.
>

pabearmvp · External Since: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 8221

That hotfix hasn't resolved the issue for most, Gerry.

Gerry Cornell wrote:
> 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
>
>
> "Dot Net Developer" wrote in message
>
>> PA Bear wrote:
>>> 1b. Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) &
>>> reboot:
>>>
>>> C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
>>
>> I tried both suggestions - deleteing the DataStore and also the
>> SoftwareDistribution, but whenever I try a manual windows update, it
>> hangs on the green progress bar doing the "checking for updates for
>> your computer" operation. I tried just now and waited over 40 minutes
>> and then gave up.
>>
>> Regards, dnw.

Rock · External Since: Sep 09, 2006 Posts: 4555

"Dot Net Developer" wrote in message

> Gerry Cornell wrote:
>> FIX: -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089
>
> Unfortunately MS don't allow this fix to be downloaded. You need to
> contact them and ask for it. My copy (an original) of XP Pro was
> bought in used condition from ebay - it's also a Dell branded
> "re-install / recovery" version. I just have this rather jaded feeling
> that I'd be wasting my time trying to get the fix from them. I'm also
> broke atm, and couldn't afford to pay for it.
>
> Maybe they will one day merge this fix in to SP3 when (or if) it comes
> out?
>
> Regards, dnw.

Hotfixes are free of charge as long as you mention nothing else during the
phone call other than needing the particular fix. It doesn't matter what
version you have.

pabearmvp · External Since: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 8221

To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of previous
message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

If you go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and you're taken the
Microsoft Update (MU), it's your default. If so, see if changing the
default to Windows Update (WU) makes any difference (You will have to go to
Office Update to install, er..., Office updates manually after doing so).

To change the default back to WU, go to MU and allow the initial scan to
complete > Click on Change Settings in left pane > Scroll to bottom of page
> To Stop Using Microsoft Update > Disable Microsoft Update software and let
me use Windows Update only (check).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

Dot Net Developer wrote:
> PA Bear wrote:
>> Is Microsoft Update your default (vs Windows Update)?
>
> I'm not sure! When I click the Start button, I see both at the top of
> the pop up choices menu, in this order -
>
> Windows Update
> (then)
> Microsoft Update
>
> I'm sure I've tried both, and I seem to remember they do exactly the
> same thing. One thing: I have Office 2003 Professional installed on
> the machine, and I've read that this can cause a problem with the
> automatic update service.
>
> Regards, dnw.

the judge · External Since: Jul 07, 2005 Posts: 35

When i go to the 'change settings' i scrolled to the bottom of the page and
did not see this option, i've been havin the same problem with the
svchost.exe. Where else can i change to windows up-date??

Paul

"PA Bear" wrote:

> To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of previous
> message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.
>
> If you go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and you're taken the
> Microsoft Update (MU), it's your default. If so, see if changing the
> default to Windows Update (WU) makes any difference (You will have to go to
> Office Update to install, er..., Office updates manually after doing so).
>
> To change the default back to WU, go to MU and allow the initial scan to
> complete > Click on Change Settings in left pane > Scroll to bottom of page
> > To Stop Using Microsoft Update > Disable Microsoft Update software and let
> me use Windows Update only (check).
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
>
>
> Dot Net Developer wrote:
> > PA Bear wrote:
> >> Is Microsoft Update your default (vs Windows Update)?
> >
> > I'm not sure! When I click the Start button, I see both at the top of
> > the pop up choices menu, in this order -
> >
> > Windows Update
> > (then)
> > Microsoft Update
> >
> > I'm sure I've tried both, and I seem to remember they do exactly the
> > same thing. One thing: I have Office 2003 Professional installed on
> > the machine, and I've read that this can cause a problem with the
> > automatic update service.
> >
> > Regards, dnw.
>
>

mtec · Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 1

I had the same problem on one machine. To fix this problem you will need to disable Microsoft update and restore it to Windows update. Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs -> Manage Add-Ons. Then find MuWebControl Class and disable it. This will restore updates to Windows updates. Make sure you enable automatic updates again and everything should work.

db_mellor · Joined: May 31, 2008 Posts: 1

Greetings pabearmvp,

Sincere thanks for sharing your knowledge on Microsoft Update vs. Windows Update; more specifically, how to go to MU and disable it so that I could revert to WU. FWIW, here's one more data point that might help others troubleshoot their svchost.exe pegged at 100%:

Problem system: Older HP pavilion a310n, 2.7Ghz Celeron, 1GB memory, XP SP3, Office 2003, IE7. (NOTE: After applying SP3, this configuration ran for approx. 2 weeks with no issues.

2 days ago, notified that update was available, chose it, system then hung at 100% cpu utilization. After much troubleshooting, discovered that just running Microsoft Update would peg system at 100% cpu utilization for 30+ minutes before telling me that I had exactly 1 update to download. When I attempted to load the relevant Hotfixes for this the programs informed me that they were already installed. (Not surprising, since system is already at SP3) A little more digging unearthed your troubleshooting suggestion to revert back to Windows Update.

Success! Windows update now takes <1 minute to tell me that I had 1 download pending. I went over to the Office update, and verified that my Office 2003 was up to date. (It is.) Note: This also took <1 minute.

****

Of course, the above doesn't document all the time I spent eliminating the possibility that this was a virus/spyware issue (ie: Microsoft Update was a victim of interference) before focusing on MU as the root cause of the problem. For this older system, I am *perfectly satisfied* to check for XP & Office 2003 updates separately in ~3 minutes using WU...instead of waiting 30+ minutes for a completely hung system due to MU.

FWIW, hope this info helps someone else out there with a similar setup.

Cheers --

dave