Helpsvc.exe

Hi All,

I've been away awhile (everything's running good!), hope ya'll had a nice Christmas!

I've been seeing occasional bursts of "unattended" activity lately and have traced it to "HELPSVC.EXE ". Whenever it does it's thing, it overloads my processor and runs the CPU fan full-tilt (which is how I notice it). When I do a CTL-ALT-DEL, I see it in task manager and it really ***** (consumes) the resources - sometimes consuming 100 megs of RAM. I also found numerous XML files in "C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\DataColl" folder, which I promptly delete to save space (with no adverse consequences).

• Is there a way to stop this from running without trashing my help system?
  
• If I do turn off the help service, will all help stop working or only Windows help?
  
• What are all the XML files for?

Thanks!

Russ

 

That generally means you're downloading some of the latest MS patchwork via Automatic Updates. If it doesn't cease after that, then you'll need to take more drastic measures.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist_h.htm

 

Do you have Service Pack 2 installed?

 

Surferdude, I have my automatic updates turned off, but I am trying the registry key info provided in your link, we'll see...

Bill, I'm still "old-schooling" along with SP1. Being behind a router and using ZoneAlarm, I'm not too worried about security updates. My system is very stable (except Explorer) as it sits.

Thanks!

Russ

 

The issue was fixed in Service Pack 2.
The fix is not a registry entry.

You do know that support has expired for XP, XP SP1, and XP SP1a.

Try Microsoft PSS (information is in the link below) and see if you can convince them to release the Hotfix to you: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/839017

I am not optomistic about your chances, but be as nice and persuasive as you can be.

 

Bill, you're right - that registry key did nothing. I ended up turning off the help service to see what all is affected. If help for individual programs still works, I'll likely just leave it off (if it stops spewing XML files!).

Russ