svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Hi.

I've observed over the past few days when I start my computer up from cold, that svchost.exe hogs 100% of the cpu, yesterday a reboot stopped this today it did not, I then terminated it's task from task manager and the system returned to normal.

Scans with ad-aware, spybot and AVG Free have come up with nothing, and I run Zonealarm firewall alongside.

Any pointers?

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Try uninstalling ZA mate.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Could possibly be a virus tbh

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

And now my sound works for windows like dings etc, but when I try to open properties on my computer it takes forever, and then when I try to play music through foobar it wont....grr...I shall remove Zonealarm reboot and see whats what.

---------- Post added at 11:11 ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 ----------

Right Zonealarm has gone, my sounds returned and computers more stable...

Lesson learned..I'll update this thread with anymore problems :dozey:

:tu: for advice I would have never though to remove Zonealarm.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I had this issue on my laptop thought it was spyware too but it wasn't it was cr**py windows itself doing it from time to time.... Machine ground to a halt.

Thats why I got fed up and installed linux :)

Use Tasklist /SVC to find attached processes link to the service.
link about tasklist
or try using HijackThis to check whats going on

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Also, Process Explorer from Sysinternals will give you a lot more info about it than the bog-standard Windows Task Manager does.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I know i've said it before, but ZA is crap. Try Kerio or Comodo.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Well since Zonealarm has gone alot of my recenty wobbly pc troubles has gone.

I thought for a while my new Asus A8n-32Sli Deluxe mobo was acting the goat...nice to know it wasn't.

I'll go grab Sygate firewall :D done me well for the past few months before I upgraded to this mobo, what was I thinking with Zonealarm!

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

i had a similar problem recently. my av software kept complaining about a file in the windows directory xml something or other.

I reinstalled windows from my ghost DVD image and everything was back to normal :)

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

It may be Windows Defender if you have that installed, are you seeing any activity from MsMpEng.exe in your processes?

If you are, it could be Windows defender.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I do not have Windows Defender install, only new things from Microsoft is IE7 final, and Mp11 beta 2. Since the removal of Zonealarm the problems gone away so I think that had it nailed.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Oh, hello, that was my commonality, the upgrade to Microsoft IE 7

Maybe there is a bug/virus that attacks ie7

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I bet there will be...

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

:p:

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

So whats the deal with Zonealarm it used to be a very good reliable firewall?

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I think it's been naff for years. You just have to do a search for ZA on this forum to see all the problems people have with it. I stopped using it when it got updated and it lagged me out in BF2. Then went to Sygate and now i'm on Kerio. :)

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Zonealarm has never been supported by me. I had problems years ago and never used it again

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

I don't think its related. I have the problem all the time on 32bit windows. I have to shut down the svchost hogging all the cpu, then when all the window themes rejigger a minute or so later, I restart the windows audio service through the service management console.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

HMM funny though now Zonealarms not on my computer EVERYTHING is running better

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Never had this problem :shrug:

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Sounds about right ;)

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Any chance that the dll file has been injected with a Trojan, try running Trojanhunter, its very good at detecting dll files that have been compromised.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

This isnt a virus. I get it all the time even on a fresh XP install never connected to the internet. Its simply a bug that was never discovered in the final release. As far as I know SP2 fixes it, but as Im not a lover of SP's in any way (they do more harm than good IMO) I learned to live with killing it when needed.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

How have you worked that one out? :confused:

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Agreed Sp2 was a welcome relief to me when it come out.

Alot more stable with it.

Suppose it comes down to your computer, some older computers really struggled with sp2.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

My pc isnt old, its less than a year old.

Every time I install SP2, or even SP1 for that matter, the pc becomes slower, unresponsive, crashes more often and then stops working all together. For the last year ive used just XP on its own with no SP's and its been great.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Ahhh I see.

OLD copies of Xp often struggled with the service packs, the newer ones with it preinstalled onto the core files are much more stable with it.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

He could always slipstream SP2 himself...

http://www.petri.co.il/windows_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

BTW M$ no longer support XP without SP2 - so you won't get the patches through updates :Yikes:

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

True but you cannot be the real deal I bet.

Xp Pro and Home sp2 is easily obtained these days ;)

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Slipstreamed them myself here, and i've never had a problem, saves alot of times with updates as well :)

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

nlite makes it so much simpler :)

http://www.nliteos.com/

---------- Post added at 08:29 ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 ----------


what do you think microsoft done? do you think they re written xp to incorporate service packs? or do you think they slip-streamed em lol

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

You need to understand one important factor about SP2, it addresses major security flaws in XP. If you NEVER connect to the Internet with that machine, then fine. However, if you do, you really need those patches, they are not an option my friend, really.:Yikes:

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Regarding the svchost.exe spiking, have you tried process explorer from sysinternals, will give alot more info upon which program is using that particular svchost (i usually have 6 running) you can get it from here:

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html

for free.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Found the bloody cause.

I use útorrent alot for moving files from the beta to other users who are on dial up, it constantly warns me about the nvidia firewall (* uninstalled * NVAPP or something in system32, *) so I goto remove it, won't remove, I try safe mode same result.

In the meantime I am due to be uploading the new files to a friend in Germany so my mood was not good.

Anyways to cut it short i took the following action.

Totally removing all nvidia drivers even gfx from the computer, reboot run ccleaner in safe mode, reboot same in normal windows and reboot again.

I then re-installed the Nvidia AMD Nforce4 Sli drivers, then my ethernet systems, then drivers for display.

Sorted....nope...same issue.

Then it hit me, it always hangs on 100% when I open IE7, so I removed IE7 problem gone.

I now wish to apply for a Firefox Rules membership please.

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Welcome... :D

Re: svchost.exe spiking to 100% cpu
 

Indeed, we thought we lost you there :):)