svchost.exe

[Marty]

Any one had a problem with svchost.exe chewing up 50-100% of there memory.

Have tried a number of fixes but no luck so far.

Only way to get around it is turn auto updates off.

[Philquad]

install sp3
turn auto updates off
do a manual update every 2 weeks
problem solved

[fromaron]

I thought MS fixed the problem while back.
Marty, as far as I remember i had to unregister from Microsoft update and register back to windows update (two different sites) and the problem has gone. I am using autoupdate without any problems.

[Marty]

Phill that doesnt solve the problem as you should be able to have auto updates left on, it only gets around the problem for the meantime.

From i will try what you have said and let you know how i go.

[ssrattus]

This is the update that was meant to have cured this problem,

Alternately

A little more googling shows this site that includes a batch file to register your files again and a bit more housekeeping

How to stop svchost.exe using up 100% system resources (Windows XP Only):

* Visit the Microsoft website and Download Windows Update v3 WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe and save it to your C:\ drive
* Download this file fix_svchost.bat (right click and choose save as..) and save it to your C:\ drive
* Download this file WindowsXP-KB927891.exe (right click and choose save as..) and save it to your C:\ drive
* Reboot the computer and log in to Windows XP in safe mode. To do this, press F8 just before the WindowsXP logo shows up during boot and press up to choose “Safe Mode”
* Once Windows has loaded and you have the option of which user account to use, log on as “Administrator”.
* Click Start > Run, choose the Browse button and find the fix_svchost.bat file you saved before, press Open, then OK.
* A black screen will pop up and white text will scroll past. Wait for this process to finish as it could take several minutes. It will close itself when its finished.
* Once the black screen disappears, Click Start > Run, choose the Browse button and find the WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe file you saved before, press Open, then OK. Follow the prompts as it installs.
* When Windows Update Agent finishes installing, Click Start > Run, choose the Browse button and find the WindowsXP-KB927891.exe file you saved before, press Open, then OK. Follow the prompts as it installs.
* Reboot the computer