Windows Update / SvcHost.exe 100% Cpu in task manager

Anonymous

This problem I know is not new to too many of us. Yet - this is November 2013 and I would like to know how this happened AND what to do to fix it!

I have built many computers since 1997. I never had this problem arise until this reinstall. Have reinstalled XP to XPSP3 several times.

Let us not waste time questioning my knowledge.

Same: components, Motherboard, memory, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The only thing that is different IS - when I have completed the Windows XP install to Windows XPSP3 - tested functionality - fast as **** - reviewed 'EVENT VIEWER' - no issues, constantly checking the processor usage - low. My next step to activate Windows update to get the updates to make my system secure. Sure enough the CPU spikes to 100% - due to a service host CPU demand! I have to say - IF the meter would have a parameter to 200% - I do not doubt it would go higher than 100%.

Even though I do not doubt the correctness of my process to install the OS (again I have done many times throughout the years) I decided since I have not loaded anything else - I would format the drive (Nov 19) and start all over again.

I sit here now with a computer box with verified functioning components, With a properly installed OS, Motherboard drivers installed - nothing else done and I can not get windows updates.

Note: the first attempt install (Nov 17) - I tried the advice on the Microsoft sites, the fix it routine, the recommended installing of a version of net framework to no avail. There is also other advice to perform a routine (don't ask - I do not desire to dig up that data) in 'safe mode' that also failed to remedy this. Frankly I rarely use advice from even the recognized experts out there but I decided whether it worked or not - as I desired a fresh install one last time to have a properly functioning computer that I built myself and gift it. I'm getting old - at a time of my life when one begins to reduce their material possessions.

How is it possible that someone can do something so many times with certainty to have this issue and to read so many are dumbfounded with this?!

And spare me the absurdity of checking for malware, virus, bad drivers. This computer has not had any exposure to have these issues!

One can safely assume it is not an issue with hardware - even working correctly - as many with this same issue described components that are widely different.

My deduction is: Something is amiss at Microsoft update center and or Windows update I have tried both! I believe (leaving out the suggestions by some of shenanigans) too much is trying to get through - after all the updates number about 120 give or take a few.

Anyway - If there is any assistance 'out there' to provide an answer to a Microsoft customer that bought Windows3.1; Windows95; Windows98; Windows Millennia; Windows Xp. Windows Vista on my Wife's computer. Windows 7 on my recent build just for music enjoyment - I would like the courtesy of receiving a solution to this issue.

It seems very simple to me for someone at Microsoft to round up the most important of Security updates - place them on a disk (compressed - many of us have WinZip and large hard drives) and provide them to us with ONLY A CHARGE FOR POSTAGE - OK, OK add a dollar or two. Leave out the fixes for the fixes. You should know what we need. Buying new hardware or OS systems is out of the question WHY? Because either we can not afford it and most of all - WE OUT HERE ARE STANDING BY a Microsoft product that WE believe in!

Try to do it in time for Christmas - it will do a lot for Microsoft's image .

Have a Good Thanksgiving to all!

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Anonymous

This problem I know is not new to too many of us. Yet - this is November 2013 and I would like to know how this happened AND what to do to fix it! I have built many computers since 1997. I never had this problem arise until this reinstall. Have reinstalled XP to XPSP3 several times. Let us not waste time questioning my knowledge. Same: components, Motherboard, memory, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The only thing that is different IS - when I have completed the Windows XP install to Windows XPSP3 - tested functionality - fast as **** - reviewed 'EVENT VIEWER' - no issues, constantly checking the processor usage - low. My next step to activate Windows update to get the updates to make my system secure. Sure enough the CPU spikes to 100% - due to a service host CPU demand! I have to say - IF the meter would have a parameter to 200% - I do not doubt it would go higher than 100%. Even though I do not doubt the correctness of my process to install the OS (again I have done many times throughout the years) I decided since I have not loaded anything else - I would format the drive (Nov 19) and start all over again. I sit here now with a computer box with verified functioning components, With a properly installed OS, Motherboard drivers installed - nothing else done and I can not get windows updates. Note: the first attempt install (Nov 17) - I tried the advice on the Microsoft sites, the fix it routine, the recommended installing of a version of net framework to no avail. There is also other advice to perform a routine (don't ask - I do not desire to dig up that data) in 'safe mode' that also failed to remedy this. Frankly I rarely use advice from even the recognized experts out there but I decided whether it worked or not - as I desired a fresh install one last time to have a properly functioning computer that I built myself and gift it. I'm getting old - at a time of my life when one begins to reduce their material possessions. How is it possible that someone can do something so many times with certainty to have this issue and to read so many are dumbfounded with this?! And spare me the absurdity of checking for malware, virus, bad drivers. This computer has not had any exposure to have these issues! One can safely assume it is not an issue with hardware - even working correctly

as many with this same issue described components that are widely different. My deduction is: Something is amiss at Microsoft update center and or Windows update I have tried both! I believe (leaving out the suggestions by some of shenanigans) too much is trying to get through - after all the updates number about 120 give or take a few. Anyway - If there is any assistance 'out there' to provide an answer to a Microsoft customer that bought Windows3.1; Windows95; Windows98; Windows Millennia; Windows Xp. Windows Vista on my Wife's computer. Windows 7 on my recent build just for music enjoyment - I would like the courtesy of receiving a solution to this issue. It seems very simple to me for someone at Microsoft to round up the most important of Security updates - place them on a disk (compressed - many of us have WinZip and large hard drives) and provide them to us with ONLY A CHARGE FOR POSTAGE - OK, OK add a dollar or two. Leave out the fixes for the fixes. You should know what we need. Buying new hardware or OS systems is out of the question WHY? Because either we can not afford it and most of all - WE OUT HERE ARE STANDING BY a Microsoft product that WE believe in! Try to do it in time for Christmas - it will do a lot for Microsoft's image . Have a Good Thanksgiving to all!

Hi Joseph,

Please do the following.

Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click Automatic Updates.

Checkmark the bottom option to disable automatic updates.

Click Apply/OK and then reboot.

Does svchost still consume 100% CPU cycles?

If it does, do the following.

Go to Start, Run, copy/paste this command and click OK: services.msc

In the list of Services, can you see Background Intelligent Transfer Service ?

Here's a pix of what it looks like.

If it's not listed, please proceed as follows to register the BITS service.

Open the Windows Search tool, copy/paste the following and then click Search: qmgr.dll

Search should show that file in the following locations:

C:\WINDOWS\system32

C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

C:\WINDOWS\system32\bits

It may only be present in C:\WINDOWS\system32, but provided you can see it, do the following to register the service.

Go to Start, Run and copy/paste: regsvr32 qmgr.dll and click OK

Do the same with this file: regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll

Reboot the system and then copy/paste this command into the Run field:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%\inf\qmgr.inf

If you're prompted to insert the Windows installation CD, ignore that and in the dialog box at the bottom, change the path to C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

If you could only see qmgr.dll in C:\WINDOWS\system32 change the path to that instead.

Restart the PC again and then go to Services and you should be able to see BITS in the list.

Double click it and then on the General tab, click the Start button to try and start the service manually. This is just a test to ensure that it's working correctly.

If you get Error 2: cannot find the file specified, go to Start, then Run again and copy/paste the following command and then click OK:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BITS\Parameters /v ServiceDll /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %windir%\System32\qmgr.dll

Reboot again and then try once more to start BITS. It should work properly now, but in the unlikely event that it fails again, run the following command and then hit Enter:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToBackup

Reboot once more and then do the following.

Go to this link and install the IE8 cumulative December update:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=41404

If you use IE7, use this link instead:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=41442

Finally, go to the Windows Update site and you should be able to download normally.

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159 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-11-29T09:44:50+00:00

Contributors to this thread clearly have a deep grasp of the workings of computers and it makes fascinating reading. Thanks guys.

My BITS etc seem to be working as a result of one of the procedures posted, possibly here. ( I have tried many). In services.msc for BITS under heading 'description' I have @%SystemRoot%\system32\qmgr.dll,-1001 rather than, 'Transfers files in the background..........' Auto updates, Bits, and cryptographic services are all running.

What do you think?

Thanks, DH.
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Anonymous

2013-11-27T17:43:32+00:00

Xircal, Can you run Apple on a non-Mac system ? I will take a look a classic shell .... frankly, I know security can be an issue especially if Microsoft drops support but XP has been a stable platform for me and it does what I need it to do. Change is not always good as evidenced by Vista. Bill

Hi Bill,

Apple doesn't license their operating system to third parties so no chance of getting hold of it I'm afraid.

I'll stick with XP for as long as possible too, but regretably, I only bought an OEM version of the installation media. All the parts date from 2007 which means no hope of buying a new motherboard which matches the one I have now if this one fails.

If you bought a retail flavor of XP, then you can use it to install XP as many times as you wish regardless of whether you change the motherboard or not.

MS has changed that now of course and even if you buy a retail version of 7 or 8, you can only use it one more time on another machine. You also have to declare that you've uninstalled it on the PC it was running on previously.

I can imagine the hackers waiting in the wings, ready to pounce as soon as MS drops support for XP. They're going to have a field day I think. I'll have to keep a wary eye on sites like http://packetstormsecurity.com/
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Anonymous

2013-11-27T16:21:45+00:00

Xircal, Can you run Apple on a non-Mac system ? I will take a look a classic shell .... frankly, I know security can be an issue especially if Microsoft drops support but XP has been a stable platform for me and it does what I need it to do. Change is not always good as evidenced by Vista. Bill
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Anonymous

2013-11-27T08:46:23+00:00

Hello Xircal ... I know I hijacked this thread but when something works I like to stick with it.

I was able to import my mail rules, only problem was I still had to associate them with destination folders. Perhaps I missed a finer point or two but its done.

How's your experiences with Linux ? Is there any good alternative to running windows ? After all the money I have spent on Microsoft products its unsettling and a big hassle to have them throw tar babies (as Keith calls them) into the works whenever they get the urge.

Bill

Hi Bill,

Linux? Don't have a clue.

I experimented with Ubuntu once, but didn't like the GUI. Also, if you switch to any versions of Linux, then you can only use applications which have been written for it.

Ubuntu which seems to be the most popular of the Linux flavors has so many securtiy holes in it, you're likely to have a heart attack when you read security advisories: http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/

But have a look at Classic Shell which allows you to change the way the user interface displays in later versions of Windows. http://www.classicshell.net/

I'm looking at that myself because Windows 8 is downright ugly, but the only viable alternative for me is Apple. But I don't want to have to spend days or even weeks learning an entirely new operating system.
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