Windows Update fails to load! svchost.exe 100%

I was trying to update my WindowsXP Hard Drive when it wouldn't load Windows Update!

As shown in this screenshot, My svchost.exe jumps to almost 100% (depends if something else is taking cpu processes).

I have tryed on a different account with no luck. I was searching google and found this page

http://ask-leo.com/svchost_and_svchostexe_crashs_cpu_maximization_viruses_exploits_and_more.html

i am doing a virus scan with Lukefilewalker (AntiVir's Scanner) with the latest update.

What could be the problem? i really don't think it is a virus because i would of gotten a warning as the virus was being install from my scanner.

I run
WindowsXP Home Edition SP2
Mounted on BIOS as HDA

 

Just guessing ... Are you updating / installing software for your scanner?
If yes, my next guess, you do not have a virus. My 3rd guess the update went bad / incorrect update for scanner. Forum will need more details to what you were installing (scanner make / model). Does software require you to uninstall any software before updating?

 

Sorry i worded that wrong. i ment that the virus scanner would of warned me as a virus was being installed.

I completed the scan with nothing found. i am trying the "sfc /scannow" cause maybe something could be wrong with the windows files.

I let it run on windowsupdate.microsoft.com and i can back 30 minutes later and it was still searching for updates and the svchost.exe was around 50%-89%.

the sfc /scannow just completed. i'm about to reboot and see what happens.

EDIT: on reboot it did a chkdsk which was expected. i'm retrying. though svchost.exe is still going to 100%...

 

You have two situations ....
1) svchost.exe running high CPU.
2) Can not link / load Windows update site.

The above two situations may / may not be related. Will need input from you.
Does svchost.exe ONLY run high when attempting to link to Windows update site?

 

hmm now that you mention this, [EDIT on bottom:as i was loading this page], it just jumped to 55% and i don't even have ie open right now (i usually use Mozilla Firefox for actual surfing)

If i kill the process, then the Audio Service/Help and Support/Windows Time... gets turned off. if i turn back on windows audio service, it all goes back on.

but as of right now iexplorer.exe is not running and it's doing it. Do you need me to post a HJT Log?

EDIT: I just reloaded Windows Update and it seems to do it when wuauclt.exe jumps to 50% (it goes to 0% after though) and wmiprvse.exe loads.
The memory on svchost also goes from 10K to 49K when i load WU.

 

For now lets look at this service. See Windows Audio Service information. Go to services and check all of these services. What status settings are AudioSrv (see Windows Audio), Plug and Play, and Remote Procedure Call (RPC) using (Automatic, Manual, Disabled). Default is Automatic for all three.

Have you recently installed / updated any software for audio programs / sound card drivers? If you have installed any software / hardware recently, please include it.

 

Nope. i don't use this hard drive to much... my brother does but he doesn't install anything. Today is update day so i was going to do the updates and i get this...

As far as i can again see, if i place wuauclt.exe in the run box, it starts to run, then the other wmiprvse.exe runs after and then svchost.exe goes up to 90%... heres a shot of what it looks like.

http://media12.net/untitled.PNG

also when i kill the 90% svchost.exe, wmiprvse.exe also closes with it, but wuauclt.exe continues to run

 

The servers may be busy, could be causing some problems.
If you have updates set to automatic download, this would explain why services for update processes running with no browser open. Since you are attempting to download updates, are you using IE? If yes, are you launching from Tools | Windows Update? Using this process I had no problem loading the page. But when I click on "Express ", all of the processes you stated in post #7 spiked to any number. At times svchost.exe as high as 98 percent. The CPU high load was always brief (less than half second) but the entire process to update my screen with available downloads took probably 20 to 30 seconds. Than all processes went to near zero. Are you saying you never get to this final state... where downloads are offered / choose to install? Also, what type ISP service do you have ... broadband or dialup?

 

Yes it will just contiune to say "Looking for updates..." or something like that (with the green loader). I gave it 30 minutes earlier and it was still 100% while still loading (never offered to start download updates or even look at them).

I do use IE for updates since your supose to. I do go to Tools > Windows Update and i have tryed both, Express and Custom (i usually do custom).

I have Comcast 8 Meg High Speed Cable. I have a router which is only sharing a connection to my Xbox 360 right now. but earlier it wasn't.

 

For now I would wait for 5 to 10 hours and let the servers catch up.
OR ... you could try this now or later if issue continues ...
Stuck on "Checking for the latest updates for your computer.

 

Thanks! that seemed to work. i did that then after about 15 minutes it finally came to the select/install updates screen.

Thanks for helping me.

 

Your welcome

 

OK, it's about time MS addressed this issue

Hi guys! I'm new here (but have been around awhile ).....

After doing numerous searches, trying everything from A to Z, including a fresh install with XP Pro, the official SP2 package and NO additional software and continually encountering this same problem (where it never happened before, using the same laptop, the same XP CD, the same service tag CD key, the same drivers, the same network settings, router, cable provider, etc) I can only conclude that this particular issue is due to shoddy programming and/or service on the part of Microsoft. Hopefully they are aware of the problem and working on a solution BUT in the meantime should there not be at least an official press release or KB page regarding this problem?

It isn't a 3rd party software or driver issue, it's not a piracy issue, it's not a problem with hundreds of thousands of individual systems (do a google search for "windows update" svchost 100% cpu)... it's an issue of sloppy work on the part of M$.

On a desktop system, running 100% cpu is an extreme inconvenience... but on laptops, running 100% CPU for more than a few minutes WILL cause the system to overheat and shut down, possibly causing all kinds of additional problems.

Whatever changes they made to the Windows Update site and/or software need to be UNDONE immediately, and remain that way until they exterminate at least this particular bug. They have rendered countless systems practically unusable and cost probably millions of man hours of productivity.

So, Uncle Bill, if you're paying attention anymore, consider this an open letter, calling you and your corporation on the carpet... and inviting an open response regarding it.

Sincerely,
A.D.

And, BTW, I don't want everyone here to think I'm just another tyro flamer looking to pick a fight. I actually DO know what I'm doing, have plenty to contribute, and have been programming since punched paper tape was state-of-the-art. (I used to have nightmares in Assembler, LOL). All I really want is for MS to adequately address this problem, and do it quickly and publicly, even if they only say "We're aware of this issue and we're working to correct it ".

And I really don't think that's too much to ask when they charge $179 a pop for XP Pro. I have 4..., plus 2 systems running XP Home and another running 98SE (the FULL version, which cost $259 when I bought it), and I think they owe me and everyone else proper service. Or at least, not to ***** up our systems with their half-assed anti-piracy measures.