Windows XP SP3 SVCHOST Throttling CPU

I have a Windows XP system with SP3 on it and beginning a few weeks back an issue manifested itself where an SVCHOST for NETSVCS seizes the CPU and throttles it at 99%. There is no malicious code involved. Complete scans were done with various anti-virus and anti-malware programs. Cleaners were used to clean out the various temporary file areas. I have done research but so far the remedies that I have tried have not helped. If anyone has experienced this issue and overcame it I would sure like to know how that was done.

Kill it.

Sound like add ins in your browser, like the ones Norton has, turn off all unnecessary addins in the browser.

Windows XP can be a bitch at times. May require you to kill it and re load. There may be a system file damaged that you only replace on a reload or I think you may load CD and do a setup it may replace sys files (but that can cause you other problems). I really like XP cause it gives all you need without all the new crap you get on Vista 7 or 8. Colt had a good suggestion. Download all updates you need they can be loaded after reset or after reload let it do updates itself.

Good luck.

Download CCleaner (the free version). It will allow you to see every add in that starts up on boot, when you start your browser, etc., and disable each one line by line.

But his problem may not be in boot process with those files. To test the boot process but up in safe mode to be sure the what phase of booting the problem is.

Have you tried holding down F8 during boot and going into Safe Mode to see if you get the same results. This will at least narrow it down to the basic system or processes overlaying the OS.

Travelerman. Sorry I just noticed your post after I posted mine.

If you have Norton 360 installed (has saved my *ss a bunch of times) you can go into the firewall program control and actually block this. I've had my PC running this way for years, and yes, it runs much faster.

I have a Windows XP system with SP3 on it and beginning a few weeks back an issue manifested itself where an SVCHOST for NETSVCS seizes the CPU and throttles it at 99%. There is no malicious code involved. Complete scans were done with various anti-virus and anti-malware programs. Cleaners were used to clean out the various temporary file areas. I have done research but so far the remedies that I have tried have not helped. If anyone has experienced this issue and overcame it I would sure like to know how that was done. Originally Posted by Mokoa

svchost is the process that handles the network connection for some applications. Its a pass through for all MS products as well and it is common to see several of these process running at a time. Seeing this cycle up usually means that some process is making an internet connect, usually Windows Update. This link talks about it but I would highly recommend an upgrade to at least Win7 as Win XP will be EOL April 2014.

http://www.neowin.net/news/svchost-b...upport-cut-off

svchost is the process that handles the network connection for some applications. Its a pass through for all MS products as well and it is common to see several of these process running at a time. Seeing this cycle up usually means that some process is making an internet connect, usually Windows Update. This link talks about it but I would highly recommend an upgrade to at least Win7 as Win XP will be EOL April 2014.

http://www.neowin.net/news/svchost-b...upport-cut-off Originally Posted by furalluh8rs

+1

I guaran-fucking-tee you that you have a nasty piece of malware installed that is

1 - Either currently undetectable
2 - Installed below the Windows level that most AV / Anti-malware / Cleaners won't see.

Reload if you can ...

Guaranty it, do you?

Well, in this case you are wrong...

I have found and fixed this issue.

First of all, the issue was not caused by any malicious code. Several thorough scans were performed and no malicious code was detected. These scans included rootkits and the Avast! boot time scan.

As it turned out a cumulative update for Internet Explorer 8, that I did not have, was all that was needed...

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl....aspx?id=40119

After installing this cumulative update last Saturday (10/12) and rebooting, this issue has not occurred again. I have been on the computer all week and waited for the issue to reappear and it never did, so it appears the bug has been eliminated.

The great thing about such matters is that along they way to the resolution you learn some things that you did not expect. Now I know about a great tool called nLite that is wonderful for streamlining Windows installs with updates, service packs and settings that allow you to customize Windows install CD's.

nLite Deployment Tool