Windows Vista forum: 100 percent CPU usage caused by SVCHOST process, need help

Now that's good advice !

I have had this happen before and discovered that I could end the process in task manager, but after awhile this got to be a burden, I discovered that during a scan I had a trojan that was the culprit and after I fixed that I have been pretty much problem free.

Sometimes when my computer is "thrashing" (running multiple things like svchost) it is the result of a bad block or two on my disk. I run chkdsk (right click on the disk icon from "My Computer", choose "Properties", then the "Tools" tab, then "Check Now". Select both options. You have to restart for chkdsk to run.)

You can check for disk errors using "Events Log".

It's a good idea to do the disk check from time-to-time anyhow.

Good luck.

Scott

Hi I bought a new computer ACER ASPIRE M5201, Vista, my provider is Tiscali.
Each time I use the computer, It keeps coming up with internet explorer will not respond and has to shut down and restart, then it may let me view and send a few emails and then I have to do the same, it's a real pain.
Any help would be appreciated, Thanks Kim.

Hi James; svchost is a generic host process that's used by all programs & apps on XP, so there may be several instances of it present on the taskman list at any one time.
One of the prime culprits of this sort of thing is the presence of updaters that have put themselves on the startup list, when installed, without your knowlege.
Adobe is one of the chief suspects here, followed closely by AV & AS programs, most of which are set to auto-update by default unless you physically go into their properties and set the updater to 'manual'.
It may be a bit of a pain to go through them all, but it's the only way you're going to stop this sort of thing happening.
All the best,
JB.

Especially Norton 360!!

It's almost as bad a cycle hog as Vista.

If you have a hardware firewall and a decent plain antivirus program, dumping the software firewall (and all the other junk that comes with 360) will save you a bunch of resources.

I've this happen to me. I've Google the problem and found this site that resolve the problem. Do leave your Windows update disabled unless you are quite deligent in performing updates manually.
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-decrease-the-svchostexe-100-cpu-utilization/

You can review all the processes running into your system. So, go to control panel, administrative tools, services. Here you can disable all the services that you do not need according to the tasks you do with your PC. You must know what every service does in order to you disable it. If you dont, search for information on the net, with google.
You can also, set in manual mode the service if you think that you will need it sometimes. If so, you can start it. The services in this mode do not use CPU while you do not use the programs that they require them.
Only allow run in mode automatic and started all the services that you require every time you work with your PC. If some day, something does not work, remember take a look with the services in order to you enable the respective service.
The point is that your operating system when starts up, just run the basic services in mode automatic or manual that it needs in order to it works for your needs.
You should see that CPU percentage goes down and your problem will not exist. Good luck.
P.S. I forgot to tell you, my operating system is Windows PRO XP SP 2, but Vista is the almost the same cat with another skin.
When you are idle, go to: http://download.cnet.com/Process-Tamer/3000-2094_4-10433612.html

A complete description of the function of svchost may be accessed using the following url. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056. If you have problems relating to svchost, you may contact microsoft tech support at http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/ (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/.

Hi
I had the same problem some time ago on my XP machine.
It happen to be a VIRUS, a spy, worm or similar.
do run the BEST anti virus, anti mail... you can find.
(I purchased ESET)
2 weeks ago, on a slow PC, with a 2Ghz dual core CPU, 3GB of RAM, which could not play audio files... I found about 75(!!!!) visuses .

Good Luc.
Eli,
PIE Multimedia.

Processors or CPU's can't sit around do nothing, or more precisely, when in use you can't selectively have some of the processor busy and the rest sitting idle waiting on you pressing the return key. svchost is a dummy application which keeps the idle bits of the cpu ticking over whilst it awaits the moment to real work. Obviously there's a fair amount of complexity going on in switching all this stuff around, but view svchost as a good thing (or a necessary eveil).

Sorry I can't open all threats , probably it has been solved.

I ever experienced the same case, and it's solved by simply disabling the automatic windows update.

Enabling or Disabling Automatic Windows Update
==============================================
Depending on your settings, Windows XP/Vista may routinely activate the Windows Update feature to scan for and download updates to Windows XP automatically. If you have a fast Internet connection, and usually don't remember to check for updates yourself, you'll probably want this feature turned on. However, if you already check for updates, and would rather not have your work interrupted, you'll probably want to disable automatic updating.

* To control or disable automatic updating, open the System icon in Control Panel (or right-click My Computer and select Properties), and choose the Automatic Updates tab.

* To check for updates manually, open Internet Explorer and select Windows Update from the Tools menu.

Note: even if you have enabled full automatic updating, Windows XP may only install critical updates. It's a good idea to check with Windows Update manually to make sure the updates you want are installed.

Sorry, not an answer, just that I am having the exact problem, but I use Windows XP. All this occured after I accepted the upgrade to Windows Live. Now I do not even have the possibility of removing that programme and the computer can only be turned off using the "end now" programme. Looking forward to receiving the solution.
CC

See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314056

It seems I have the same problem. Helpers in the malware forums at Msoft and Castle Cops after analysis could only recommend 1) reformat my hard drive or 2) buy a new computer. BTW, neither Windows Task Manager nor What's Running can identify the culprit making svchost use up CPU time. When my modem is off, the CPU spikes to 20% every 25 seconds. Modem on, spikes to 60% every 5 seconds. Connected via DSL, 60-100% every 5 seconds. I think clearly malware. I have McAfee suite always updated which did not prevent this.