svchost.exe- the hell is this?!

[quina123]

this process (svchost.exe) is constantly running up the memory and cpu usage on the pc everytime I use the pc! Its so bad I can barely move the mouse pointer without the pc freezing and crashing. I could barely even post this thread without encountering a few crashes along the way!
Still running this "sorry excuse for a pc" Dell Insprion 531.
Someone please help so I can get rid of this problem!


And NO sarcastic replies either!

 

[MustISO]

Here's some info about what it is and why it's used:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/what-is-svchostexe-and-why-is-it-running/

It's not uncommon for this process to run out of control when doing updates or it could be a misbehaved service or some type of malware.

 

[postmortemIA]

It is your Windows Update... it kills PCs with limited CPU and memory throughput ... see here
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2457196

 

[mikeymikec]

this process (svchost.exe) is constantly running up the memory and cpu usage on the pc everytime I use the pc! Its so bad I can barely move the mouse pointer without the pc freezing and crashing. I could barely even post this thread without encountering a few crashes along the way!
Still running this "sorry excuse for a pc" Dell Insprion 531.
Someone please help so I can get rid of this problem!
SHIT!

And NO sarcastic replies either!

Ok, it is commonplace for Windows Update through svchost (at times) use a lot of memory, however its CPU usage should be limited to saturating a single core, however freezing, pointer problems and crashing are not to be expected.

Things I would check to begin with:

1 - CPU temperature while under load (CPUID's HWMonitor or SpeedFan should give you the readings you're looking for).

2 - Hard disk SMART stats (or the event viewer - Start > Run > eventvwr, go into Windows logs > system, and look for disk/ntfs warnings/errors at the time of the problem and/or semi-recently)

3 - How much memory does your machine have? What OS, and is it 32 or 64-bit (this can be found in Control Panel > System properties).

Assuming that points 1 & 2 aren't the problem, I would also download sysinternals' Process Explorer (downloadable from the MS site), run it with admin privs, find the process using lots of resources, float the mouse pointer over it, and if Windows Update is listed as being a service running under that process, chances are it probably is the culprit, but I would then right-click on that process, properties, services tab, and stop the Windows Update service. If CPU / memory usage drops sharply, then you know it's WU that's at least the trigger for the problem.

Let us know how far you get with my suggestions so we can help you get to the root of the problem.

 

[quina123]

Two things I indid noticed:
1. The problem likes to occur whenever I get on the internet.
2. disabling windows update calmed it down... for a while, then i got back on the internet and the bastard started again! the freezing! the crashing! the popping mouse pointer! ROOOOAOAA!!! its doing it rgiht now!

win7 proo 644-bit
4 g ram

 

[mikeymikec]

Two things I indid noticed:
1. The problem likes to occur whenever I get on the internet.
2. disabling windows update calmed it down... for a while, then i got back on the internet and the bastard started again! the freezing! the crashing! the popping mouse pointer! ROOOOAOAA!!! its doing it rgiht now!

win7 proo 644-bit
4 g ram

WU tends to get triggered once a day, once it has done a complete check that normally is it for that day. If all you did was stop the WU service, I'd expect it to start back up again later.

I'd check the other points I mentioned if I were you. If high memory/CPU usage causes your machine to have stability issues, then it's not specifically a WU problem.

 

[ViRGE]

The answer hasn't changed since the last time you asked: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2450184

 

[quina123]

I think I need to get someone to look at this because I can't fix it on my own. No telling how much that'll cost but it'll be a whole lot cheaper than buying a new one

 

[Ketchup]

You need to look and see if updates are actually being installed. If they are not, that would explain why it's constantly trying to run.

Also, what AV are you running?

 

[blankslate]

Here a page that might contain the solution if you're using Win 7. Just guessing based on the model. If not then disregard.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...ng-error/46b72f85-1fec-4445-877f-fc530510cba1

I did experience Win 7 problems with WU just freezing as it tried to download updates.

I fixed them by installing the latest Update for the Windows update software for Windows 7 directly from Microsoft's website instead of through Windows 7 update.
https://blog.krissmilne.tech/windows/windows-7/windows-7-stuck-on-checking-for-updates
^as discussed in this page

Maybe getting the latest Windows update client will help.



__________________

 

[Elixer]

I think I need to get someone to look at this because I can't fix it on my own. No telling how much that'll cost but it'll be a whole lot cheaper than buying a new one

I wouldn't bother with getting someone to look at this, most of the time, they don't have a clue, or make stuff up.
Backup what you need, and just clean install the OS again.

 

[quina123]

I wouldn't bother with getting someone to look at this, most of the time, they don't have a clue, or make stuff up.
Backup what you need, and just clean install the OS again.

I just recently did clean install of the OS!

Also, what AV are you running?

What is "AV"? Audio/ Video? I have audio and video........

 

[nerp]

ANtivirus.

Are you installing any sort of 'cleaners' 'optimizers' toolbars, speedup tools, registry cleaners, antivirus, malware stuff, etc. All of that cruftware can often slow your system down.

 

[Ketchup]

Antivirus. And how recent is recent for the install? Even after 7 SP1, you should be looking at 100+ Windows updates. If it isn't SP1 yet, I would highly recommend you download and install that separately.

 

[quina123]

I have not anti virus, and none of those other softwares.
the system says windows 7 professional service pack 1. so I already have the os.

 

[JEDIYoda]

What is "AV"? Audio/ Video? I have audio and video........

that response answers a lot of questions......

 

[Ketchup]

Good. Go to Windows Update and pull up previous updates. Are there many? You may need to tell it to search for updates and leave it on that screen for a night.

Any reason why no Antivirus? I would get Microsoft Security Essentials, at a minimum.

For all we know, a virus is what's causing your problem (as viruses love taking the names of legitimate programs.)

 

[JackMDS]

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/svchost-exe-virus-removal/

 

[SparkyJJO]

I have not anti virus, and none of those other softwares.
the system says windows 7 professional service pack 1. so I already have the os.

Have you actively run any Windows updates at all yet?

If not, there's your problem.

Yes, Windows Update will likely be a total system hog until this is done. Yes, on an older system this may take hours to do. Just do it.

 

[Zodiark1593]

The bastard part of this is for laptops running on battery as pegging the processor is a sure way of having your battery commit seppukku. The laptops at work are especially bad as you don't normally get the admin rights to kill off Windows Update.

 

[SparkyJJO]

The laptops at work should be kept updated and that should prevent pegged CPU.

Not saying svchost pegging your CPU due to a load of pending Windows Updates is OK, but that's the best way to avoid it. And if it is a work computer, it shouldn't be delayed so bad.

 

[quina123]

I just did windows update all last night and today, things seem to be running normally now. Don't think I have any malware either. the pc is actually quiet for once. didn't think it could be so silent.

 

[Ketchup]

Good to hear!