Re: svchost.exe using up 99% CPU

bman342 <bman342@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

When I boot up, the svchost.exe (username: SYSTEM), runs constantly for 10
minutes+ using up almost 99-100% CPU cycles.

I rebuilt my system (reinstalled XP Home, SP2) a couple of months ago. This
was a similar problem I was having before the rebuild.

I know the svchost.exe has the potential for malware, and at the moment am
not running any anti-virus software (anyone have any suggestions of their
favorite? I do own NIS, but found that way too onerous on my system), and was
wondering if it sounds like a potential virus or spyware. Thx.

Go to one of the following free online scanning sites and check your
computer for malware. It certainly sounds like you have something
infesting your machine.
Bit Defender http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Trend Micro http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Kaspersky Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
WindowSecurity.com TrojanScan http://windowssecurity.com/trojanscan
Webroot http://www.webroot.com/

Not installing NIS was a wise decision, in my opinion. It is a
classic example of how the cure can all too often be worse than the
disease. But you do need protection from both viruses and spyware.

AVG - Free antivirus and antispyware - http://free.grisoft.com
AVAST - Free antivirus - http://www.avast.com
Windows Defender - Free antispyware - http://download.microsoft.com

There are also a number of quite good commercial products available,
including ones from Bitware, Trend Micro, AVG, Kaspersky, and Panda.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
.