XP SP3 - SVCHOST.EXE USES 100% CPU - AUTOMATIC UPDATE SERVICE BROK

[Guest Greg]

I reloaded XP PRO on my Dell 810 twice with the same result. After install of

SP3, I tried installing other updates but windows update fails and says

another automatic update is pending and has to complete first.

 

At this point svchost.exe eats 100% cpu and can only be fixed by stopping

the automatic update service. I tried rebooting, waiting overnight but the

same result.

 

Any clues on how to clear this problem?

[Guest Malke]

Re: XP SP3 - SVCHOST.EXE USES 100% CPU - AUTOMATIC UPDATE SERVICE BROK

 

Greg wrote:

> I reloaded XP PRO on my Dell 810 twice with the same result. After install

> of SP3, I tried installing other updates but windows update fails and says

> another automatic update is pending and has to complete first.

>

> At this point svchost.exe eats 100% cpu and can only be fixed by stopping

> the automatic update service. I tried rebooting, waiting overnight but the

> same result.

>

> Any clues on how to clear this problem?

 

From MVP Bill Castner:

 

1. Download the new Windows Update Agent (but do not run it yet) to your

Desktop (so you can find it below) :

 

X86 Version:

http://download.windowsupdate.com/WindowsUpdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

 

2. Start>Run>cmd [enter]

 

At the command prompt, type:

 

net stop wuauserv [enter]

"%userprofile%\Desktop\WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe" /wuforce [enter]

(don't forget the quotation marks)

net start wuauserv [enter]

exit [enter]

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: XP SP3 - SVCHOST.EXE USES 100% CPU - AUTOMATIC UPDATE SERVICE BROK

 

• If you'd performed a Repair Install or reinstalled Windows prior to

installing SP3 manually (i.e., not via Windows Update):

 

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft

Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP

installation:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

 

NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.

 

• If not:

 

1. Stop the Automatic Updates service:

 

Start > Run > (type in) services.msc > [OK]

Double-click Automatic Updates > Click on Stop

(Stopping the service will take a moment)

 

2. Delete %windir%\SoftwareDistribution <=this folder or rename it (e.g.,

SoftwareDistribution.OLD).

 

NB: The above step will have the consequence of deleting your Update History

at Windows Update.

 

3. Start the Automatic Updates service:

 

Start > Run > (type in) services.msc > [OK]

Double-click Automatic Updates > Click on Start

(Starting the service will take a moment)

--

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:

http://news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

 

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

 

 

Greg wrote:

> I reloaded XP PRO on my Dell 810 twice with the same result. After install

> of SP3, I tried installing other updates but windows update fails and says

> another automatic update is pending and has to complete first.

>

> At this point svchost.exe eats 100% cpu and can only be fixed by stopping

> the automatic update service. I tried rebooting, waiting overnight but the

> same result.

>

> Any clues on how to clear this problem?