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

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?

Malke
Wed May 14 06:45:44 PDT 2008

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
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

PA
Wed May 14 08:42:38 PDT 2008

â?¢ 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.

â?¢ 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:
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?