Weird laptop problem

timestar

Over last 3 weeks the CPU usage occasionally during the day leaps to 100%. When I look in Task Manager the process using all this is svchost.exe. In addition, sometimes when this happens, the colour scheme on my screen changes from its settings to all grey. I have scanned for viruses and malware and all clean. I am running WIN XP SP3. Any ideas?

HarryL

There are a few things that can cause this. Is windows trying to update do you know?

timestar

I did wonder if it was Windows Updater - but I did an update on Wednesday no problem. The changing colour scheme worries me more than anything - oh and a black bar appear also appears at the top of Internet Explorer.

HarryL

I have Google'd for you and instead of repeating the answer here and taking credit, I'll tell you how to find it (sorry I cant post links). If you search 'svchost.exe CPU Useage' and take the TechNibble answer. follow the instructions there. hopefully this will help you.

timestar

Thanks for the tip. I had done a Google search and come across the Technonibble article. But - if you read down the page lots of people report either it did not solve the problem and/or caused new problems.

HarryL

Ah. I see. I didn't read comments. I just choose the article most like what id suggest. I'm pretty bad at explaining computer stuff. I usually just confuse people. All I can suggest then is either turning off windows automatic update. You may think you have all the updates but I have literally had my computer update every shutdown/startup for like 3 weeks straight. Makes no sense I know but its best to just going along with windows at times. secondly changing the CPU priority (with task manager) of the svhost.exe to 'below normal' to see if that helps. Also continue to Google different terms for the problem. There are 100's of answers out there and hopefully one will work for you.

Good Luck

closed

follow the speedup sticky thread

andy2004

I would make sure the svchost.exe is the correct one running, make sure its c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe and not coming from a different folder, how? use a program like Process Hacker (freeware) http://sourceforge.net/projects/processhacker/
I would also consider disabling windows update, as of june 2011 xp is no longer supported by microsoft.
You stated you've run antivirus and malware but didnt say which, i assume it was malwarebytes for the malware scan.
maybe a good idea to get a 3rd party antivirus like Dr web portable or kaspersky portable both freeware and dont required installation or run a scan with kaspersky tdsskiller,

free4440273

svchost.exe. if often duplicated and then cloaked as a virus; def. run malwarebytes and disinfect. try running a chkdsk command on the drive too just to ensure its integrity.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

scheming_gypsy

timestar wrote: »

Thanks for the tip. I had done a Google search and come across the Technonibble article. But - if you read down the page lots of people report either it did not solve the problem and/or caused new problems.

it will only fix the issue if it's the Windows Updater that's causing the problem. The same way any other fix will only fix it if you get the right one.
The downloads on the Technibble page work perfectly if the issue is with the updater.

SteveJH200

andy2004 wrote: »

I would also consider disabling windows update, as of june 2011 xp is no longer supported by microsoft.

That's a new one on me - thought it was 2014 that they were pulling the plug on XP.