Guest snerdly Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come out of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 mins. I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under XP were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? -- Regards snerdly
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security applications. -- ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ snerdly wrote: > Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come > out > of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 > mins. > I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under > XP > were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a > list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed?
Guest snerdly Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: ******************************************* Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee HackerWatch process which has the same filename ********************************************* variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? -- Regards snerdly "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security > applications. > -- > ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 > AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net > DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ > > snerdly wrote: > > Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come > > out > > of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 > > mins. > > I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under > > XP > > were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a > > list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > >
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Do you have a McAfee application installed? If not and HWAPI.EXE is located in C:\Windows\System32 <=this folder, it's was dropped by an RBot-variant. -- ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ snerdly wrote: > Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I > Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = > http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html > When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: > ******************************************* > Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee > HackerWatch process which has the same filename > ********************************************* > variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? > >> HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security >> applications. >> -- >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) >> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 >> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net >> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ >> >> snerdly wrote: >>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come >>> out >>> of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 >>> mins. >>> I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under >>> XP >>> were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has >>> a >>> list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed?
Guest snerdly Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Yes I do have McAfee installed & the ONLY place I could find HWAPI was in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee\HackerWatch. (NOT in Windows\system32) I just spent the 20 mins on chat with McAfee support & when they realized that HWAPI was in caps they agreed that is was probably a virus & told me to run virus scan to get rid of it. If that doesn't work to then contact the Virus Removal Support Team @ McAfee. I'm beggining to think HWAPI.exe is legit, what do you think? -- Regards snerdly "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > Do you have a McAfee application installed? If not and HWAPI.EXE is located > in C:\Windows\System32 <=this folder, it's was dropped by an RBot-variant. > -- > ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 > AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net > DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ > > > snerdly wrote: > > Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I > > Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = > > http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html > > When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: > > ******************************************* > > Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee > > HackerWatch process which has the same filename > > ********************************************* > > variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? > > > >> HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security > >> applications. > >> -- > >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > >> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 > >> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net > >> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ > >> > >> snerdly wrote: > >>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come > >>> out > >>> of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 > >>> mins. > >>> I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under > >>> XP > >>> were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has > >>> a > >>> list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > >
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. That McAfee tech doesn't know s*** from shinola. If it's located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee <=this folder, it's not a BadGuy. What McAfee app is it? Did you upgrade to this app from an earlier McAfee app? snerdly wrote: > Yes I do have McAfee installed & the ONLY place I could find HWAPI was in > C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee\HackerWatch. (NOT in > Windows\system32) > I just spent the 20 mins on chat with McAfee support & when they realized > that HWAPI was in caps they agreed that is was probably a virus & told me > to > run virus scan to get rid of it. If that doesn't work to then contact the > Virus Removal Support Team @ McAfee. > I'm beggining to think HWAPI.exe is legit, what do you think? > >> Do you have a McAfee application installed? If not and HWAPI.EXE is >> located in C:\Windows\System32 <=this folder, it's was dropped by an >> RBot-variant. -- >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) >> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 >> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net >> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ >> >> >> snerdly wrote: >>> Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I >>> Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = >>> http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html >>> When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: >>> ******************************************* >>> Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee >>> HackerWatch process which has the same filename >>> ********************************************* >>> variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? >>> >>>> HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security >>>> applications. >>>> -- >>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) >>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 >>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net >>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ >>>> >>>> snerdly wrote: >>>>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I >>>>> come >>>>> out >>>>> of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 >>>>> mins. >>>>> I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs >>>>> under >>>>> XP >>>>> were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that >>>>> has >>>>> a >>>>> list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed?
Guest snerdly Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Yeah, I got an uneasy feeling from them as well. This is the McAfee Security Center that is provided for Comcast customers (they say it's a $120 value) & last year they did upgrade from an older version. The current Security Center Version 7.2, Build Version 7.2.151. I thought maybe I could turn off HackerWatch (like Windows Defender allows the option to not participate in the gathering of stats) but I could not find any options under HackerWatch to turn it off. I wonder why my other PC doesn't have HWAPI.exe running? McAfee on the other PC is from a Brokerage company. Seems like everybody is offering free McAfee. Thanks for the help - Regards snerdly "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > That McAfee tech doesn't know s*** from shinola. If it's located in > C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee <=this folder, it's not a BadGuy. > > What McAfee app is it? Did you upgrade to this app from an earlier McAfee > app? > > > snerdly wrote: > > Yes I do have McAfee installed & the ONLY place I could find HWAPI was in > > C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee\HackerWatch. (NOT in > > Windows\system32) > > I just spent the 20 mins on chat with McAfee support & when they realized > > that HWAPI was in caps they agreed that is was probably a virus & told me > > to > > run virus scan to get rid of it. If that doesn't work to then contact the > > Virus Removal Support Team @ McAfee. > > I'm beggining to think HWAPI.exe is legit, what do you think? > > > >> Do you have a McAfee application installed? If not and HWAPI.EXE is > >> located in C:\Windows\System32 <=this folder, it's was dropped by an > >> RBot-variant. -- > >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > >> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 > >> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net > >> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ > >> > >> > >> snerdly wrote: > >>> Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I > >>> Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = > >>> http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html > >>> When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: > >>> ******************************************* > >>> Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee > >>> HackerWatch process which has the same filename > >>> ********************************************* > >>> variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? > >>> > >>>> HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security > >>>> applications. > >>>> -- > >>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > >>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 > >>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net > >>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ > >>>> > >>>> snerdly wrote: > >>>>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I > >>>>> come > >>>>> out > >>>>> of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 > >>>>> mins. > >>>>> I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs > >>>>> under > >>>>> XP > >>>>> were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that > >>>>> has > >>>>> a > >>>>> list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > >
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Try this: 1. Uninstall McAfee Security Center via Add/Remove Programs & reboot. 2. Download/run this removal tool & reboot again: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=4105&partner=McAfee&type=TS&ia=1 [if you want to see the "leftovers" that uninstalling didn't remove, examine the log file generated by the tool before rebooting; save to your HDD, if interested.] 3. Delete the downloaded removal tool (folder).. 4. Reinstall McAfee Security Center via Comcast's link. 5. Manually & repeatedly update the McAfee application until you get a "no more updates available" prompt. Hacker Watch can be disabled as follows: Start | Run | (type in) services.msc | OK | Double-click on the list entry for HackerWatch | In Status, select STOP | In Startup Type, select DISABLED | OK your way out & reboot. McAfee Support Forums http://forums.mcafeehelp.com -- ~PA Bear snerdly wrote: > Yeah, I got an uneasy feeling from them as well. This is the McAfee > Security Center that is provided for Comcast customers (they say it's a > $120 value) & last year they did upgrade from an older version. The > current > Security Center Version 7.2, Build Version 7.2.151. > I thought maybe I could turn off HackerWatch (like Windows Defender allows > the option to not participate in the gathering of stats) but I could not > find any options under HackerWatch to turn it off. > I wonder why my other PC doesn't have HWAPI.exe running? McAfee on the > other PC is from a Brokerage company. Seems like everybody is offering > free > McAfee. > Thanks for the help > - > Regards snerdly > > > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > >> That McAfee tech doesn't know s*** from shinola. If it's located in >> C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee <=this folder, it's not a BadGuy. >> >> What McAfee app is it? Did you upgrade to this app from an earlier >> McAfee >> app? >> >> >> snerdly wrote: >>> Yes I do have McAfee installed & the ONLY place I could find HWAPI was >>> in >>> C:\Program Files\Common Files\ McAfee\HackerWatch. (NOT in >>> Windows\system32) >>> I just spent the 20 mins on chat with McAfee support & when they >>> realized >>> that HWAPI was in caps they agreed that is was probably a virus & told >>> me >>> to >>> run virus scan to get rid of it. If that doesn't work to then contact >>> the >>> Virus Removal Support Team @ McAfee. >>> I'm beggining to think HWAPI.exe is legit, what do you think? >>> >>>> Do you have a McAfee application installed? If not and HWAPI.EXE is >>>> located in C:\Windows\System32 <=this folder, it's was dropped by an >>>> RBot-variant. -- >>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) >>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 >>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net >>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ >>>> >>>> >>>> snerdly wrote: >>>>> Thanks PA Bear. After I posted this thread I >>>>> Found the link I was looking for from Ken Blake (also an MVP) = >>>>> http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html >>>>> When I used this to identify HWAPI.exe this is what it said: >>>>> ******************************************* >>>>> Added by a variant of the RBOT WORM! Note - this is not the McAfee >>>>> HackerWatch process which has the same filename >>>>> ********************************************* >>>>> variant of the Rbot Worm! Should I be worried about this!? >>>>> >>>>>> HWAPI.EXE = McAfee HackerWatch Service, part of many McAfee security >>>>>> applications. >>>>>> -- >>>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) >>>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 >>>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net >>>>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ >>>>>> >>>>>> snerdly wrote: >>>>>>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I >>>>>>> come >>>>>>> out >>>>>>> of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to >>>>>>> 10 >>>>>>> mins. >>>>>>> I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs >>>>>>> under >>>>>>> XP >>>>>>> were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that >>>>>>> has >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed?
Guest dlech Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 RE: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software supplied by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no problem. Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then I noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the Hacker Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker Watch being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about what Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea what to do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored him. He was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version and size. To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed something up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it screwed up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software version (but why would they not issue and update ?). So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all this. Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a crawl. "snerdly" wrote: > Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come out > of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 mins. > I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under XP > were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a > list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > -- > Regards snerdly
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Feel free to read replies to this thread. dlech wrote: > I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software > supplied > by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no > problem. > Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee > update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then > I > noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. > > Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the > Hacker > Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker > Watch being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about > what Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea > what to do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored > him. He was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version > and size. > > To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed > something > up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the > problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it > screwed > up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software > version > (but why would they not issue and update ?). > > So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all > this. > Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a > crawl. > > > "snerdly" wrote: > >> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come >> out of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to >> 10 >> mins. I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs >> under XP were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site >> that has a list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? >> -- >> Regards snerdly
Guest SS Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > Feel free to read replies to this thread. > > dlech wrote: > > I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software > > supplied > > by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no > > problem. > > Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee > > update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then > > I > > noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. > > > > Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the > > Hacker > > Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker > > Watch being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about > > what Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea > > what to do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored > > him. He was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version > > and size. > > > > To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed > > something > > up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the > > problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it > > screwed > > up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software > > version > > (but why would they not issue and update ?). > > > > So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all > > this. > > Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a > > crawl. > > > > > > "snerdly" wrote: > > > >> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come > >> out of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to > >> 10 > >> mins. I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs > >> under XP were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site > >> that has a list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > >> -- > >> Regards snerdly > >
Guest SS Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. I noticed something similar the day after Microsoft installed a security fix. I have McAfee on my laptop, and HWAPI began hogging most of the CPU slices. This behavior survived two reboots of the laptop, including one in which I removed the laptop battery, but finally stopped after I let it run for 15-20 minutes. My conjecture is that, at least on my system, HWAPI needed a sizeable block of time for some reason to convince itself that the security fix was not dangerous, but then settled down afterwards. "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: > Feel free to read replies to this thread. > > dlech wrote: > > I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software > > supplied > > by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no > > problem. > > Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee > > update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then > > I > > noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. > > > > Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the > > Hacker > > Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker > > Watch being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about > > what Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea > > what to do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored > > him. He was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version > > and size. > > > > To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed > > something > > up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the > > problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it > > screwed > > up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software > > version > > (but why would they not issue and update ?). > > > > So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all > > this. > > Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a > > crawl. > > > > > > "snerdly" wrote: > > > >> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come > >> out of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to > >> 10 > >> mins. I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs > >> under XP were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site > >> that has a list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > >> -- > >> Regards snerdly > >
Guest Slick Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 RE: McAfee Hacker Watch Comcast HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. RE: McAfee Hacker Watch Comcast HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Same deal here for me. 2 days ago my laptop with Comcast supplied McAffee is now having the HWAPI.exe file consume 80% of my CPU. I suspect it's a bad update from McAffee (as the program autoupdates all the time.). For now, I just go into task manager and end the process. I will research this further to see if I can just shut everything off for that process. "dlech" wrote: > > I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software supplied > by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no problem. > Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee > update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then I > noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. > > Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the Hacker > Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker Watch > being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about what > Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea what to > do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored him. He > was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version and size. > > To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed something > up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the > problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it screwed > up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software version > (but why would they not issue and update ?). > > So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all this. > Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a crawl. > > > "snerdly" wrote: > > > Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come out > > of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 mins. > > I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under XP > > were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a > > list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > > -- > > Regards snerdly
Guest dlech Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 RE: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. Thanks folks. I re-read the chat log from my communications with McAfee to note two things. First guy mentioned that the only way to shutdown Hacker Watch (besides killing the task or disabling service startup) was during installation. The second guy was sure he saw files on my PC from an "previous installation of McAfee". Well, I keep super detailed notes on what I do to this PC since it is vital to my work and I've learned a lot of hard lessons programming the past 30 years. I am almost obsessive compulsive on my control of this PC. I knew I installed McAfee Nov 17, 2007 for the first and only time. Previously I always used Norton. I thought that if what he said might be true, how did it happen. Only the people in charge of McAfee Update Manager can answer that question. I also thought it was too co-incidental that other people were having the exact same problem on the exact same day. Especially the same day or week that Microsoft issued fixes and some of the fixes modified remote procedure calls (RPC is the only dependent service for HWAPI.exe). The "old version" possibility convinced me that if I reloaded McAfee software I might not be reloading what I already had loaded. I considered that a waste of time and a shot in the dark solution. The "reinstall the same software" answer rarely solves anything unless you really have something nasty going on (i.e. virus, spyware, etc). So I cleared all evidence of the old version off and downloaded a new version. While installing I also unchecked the "Send security, firewall (etc) data to Mcafee" check box. That is what Hacker Watch does. The result was a new version that was in fact different from the old and the best part, no HWAPI.exe installed as a service. Fact is, you end up with probably 3 or 4 services less then before and seriously less CPU and memory burden. So it might be worth the reinstall just for that, even if later they fix the HWAPI.exe issue in the old version. Which I suspect they will have to since quite a few people are going to be very annoyed very soon. Reinstall instructions previously posted here and also on McAfee's web site work perfect, if you choose that route. Good luck. "dlech" wrote: > > I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software supplied > by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had no problem. > Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and also a McAfee > update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software changed). Then I > noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. > > Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the Hacker > Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of Hacker Watch > being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read about what > Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have no idea what to > do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I ignored him. He > was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct version and size. > > To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed something > up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the > problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it screwed > up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software version > (but why would they not issue and update ?). > > So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all this. > Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a crawl. > > > "snerdly" wrote: > > > Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come out > > of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to 10 mins. > > I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all Programs under XP > > were but the link must not be there any more. Is there a site that has a > > list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be removed? > > -- > > Regards snerdly
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: HWAPI.exe using excessive cpu. > ...So I cleared all > evidence of the old version off and downloaded a new version. Did you run the removal tool before installing the new version? -- ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ dlech wrote: > Thanks folks. > > I re-read the chat log from my communications with McAfee to note two > things. First guy mentioned that the only way to shutdown Hacker Watch > (besides killing the task or disabling service startup) was during > installation. The second guy was sure he saw files on my PC from an > "previous installation of McAfee". Well, I keep super detailed notes on > what I do to this PC since it is vital to my work and I've learned a lot > of > hard lessons programming the past 30 years. I am almost obsessive > compulsive on my control of this PC. I knew I installed McAfee Nov 17, > 2007 > for the first and only time. Previously I always used Norton. > > I thought that if what he said might be true, how did it happen. Only the > people in charge of McAfee Update Manager can answer that question. I also > thought it was too co-incidental that other people were having the exact > same problem on the exact same day. Especially the same day or week that > Microsoft issued fixes and some of the fixes modified remote procedure > calls > (RPC is the only dependent service for HWAPI.exe). > > The "old version" possibility convinced me that if I reloaded McAfee > software I might not be reloading what I already had loaded. I considered > that a waste of time and a shot in the dark solution. The "reinstall the > same software" answer rarely solves anything unless you really have > something nasty going on (i.e. virus, spyware, etc). So I cleared all > evidence of the old version off and downloaded a new version. While > installing I also unchecked the "Send security, firewall (etc) data to > Mcafee" check box. That is what Hacker Watch does. > > The result was a new version that was in fact different from the old and > the > best part, no HWAPI.exe installed as a service. Fact is, you end up with > probably 3 or 4 services less then before and seriously less CPU and > memory > burden. So it might be worth the reinstall just for that, even if later > they > fix the HWAPI.exe issue in the old version. Which I suspect they will have > to since quite a few people are going to be very annoyed very soon. > > Reinstall instructions previously posted here and also on McAfee's web > site > work perfect, if you choose that route. Good luck. > > > "dlech" wrote: > >> >> I have the exact same problem. I am also using the McAfee software >> supplied by Comcast. I had not used my PC in two days. Two days ago I had >> no problem. Today first thing Microsoft hotfix KB951376 installed and >> also >> a McAfee update (no reboot required - so I doubt executable software >> changed). Then I noticed HWAPI.exe was hogging a constant 88% of CPU. >> >> Contacted McAfee twice. First guy instructed me on how to disable the >> Hacker Watch service. That at least bypassed the problem at the cost of >> Hacker Watch being down (no great loss, at least according to what I read >> about what Hacker Watch does). Second guy told me the standard " I have >> no >> idea what to do" answer (that is, reinstall McAfee software). For now I >> ignored him. He was able to verify that my HWAPI.exe file was the correct >> version and size. >> >> To me their are three possibilities. 1) Microsoft's hotfix messed >> something >> up (fix had something to do with bluetooth stack - so I doubt it's the >> problem). 2) The Hacker Watch server HWAPI.exe communicates with it >> screwed >> up. 3) McAfee did in fact change something requiring a new software >> version >> (but why would they not issue and update ?). >> >> So, I will be interested in what you and others have to say about all >> this. >> Somehow I doubt we are the only two who noticed their PC dragging to a >> crawl. >> >> >> "snerdly" wrote: >> >>> Can someone help me understand what HWAPI.exe is? Sometimes when I come >>> out of standby this bugger takes up around 80% of my processor for 5 to >>> 10 mins. I thought I had a link for a site that explained what all >>> Programs under XP were but the link must not be there any more. Is >>> there >>> a site that has a list of XP programs, what they do & if they can be >>> removed? -- >>> Regards snerdly
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