Often my computer starts working very slowly, programs starting for several minutes. One copy of process svchost.exe causes up to 100% CPU utilization. After restarting of this process everything is OK for some period of time, and then starts again. My system Windows XP SP3, Pentium 4 2,6 GHz, 1 Gb DDR-400, all hardware is 100% OK. Kaspersky Antivirus with latest updates No suspicious network connections with computers in LAN or WAN.

The svchost.exe service can be a virus hiding by using that name...or a legitamate application. Also there can be many instances running at the same time. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314056 To determine the legitamacy is by determining what directory the file is located in.... All legitamate services are located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. If you find one elsewhere then it is a virus or trojan or highjacker and should be removed. As most svchost.exe service s are for running applications it is most likely that your problem is that of a lot of start-up programs all trying to run in the background. Effectively blocking these with a firewall will cause excessive CPU usage...I use a free program called winpatrol to manage any programs in the start folder...this doesnot delete the program...just stops it from running untill you wish it to start. Definition of a Liberal: He has never had to fight for his Freedom He is only good at enjoying it! "IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM

Besides running an Antivirus, Do you check for, and remove, Spyware ?? Spyware includes ---- Adware, Dialers, Browser Hijackers, Trojans, Cookies, Key Loggers, Trackware, and other Malware while browsing the internet. Most Virus and Spyware scans are likely to work better in Windows Safe-Mode.

Please check the process in task manager & check that which application process is giving problem of 100 % CPU.If u running any application & running query so it make also CPU 100 % then use a tool pskill it puts on ur hdd c,d wherever & kill the process from command prompt.& it is freely available. Thanks & Regards Tushar

lurkswithin, the service that slows down the computer is located in %SystemRoot%\System32 folder :( Chuck 2, does Kaspersky Antivirus not detect spyware? Or you advise to use specialized software? Like Ad-Aware. Which one do you prefer? Tushar Kaskhedikar, i know that utility, it is the one of PsTools by Mark Russinovich. Instead of Taskmanager I use Process Explorer (it shows much more information). I can kill that process, but the system works unproperly. Seems like explorer.exe restarting (re-drawing desktop, etc.) and sound may disappear. So one trouble is fixed and another one appears.

Try the anti spyware programs as Chuck2 suggested either adaware SE or spybot S&D along with the ATFcleaner for cleaning out all the temp files as well! Definition of a Liberal: He has never had to fight for his Freedom He is only good at enjoying it! "IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM

Adaware SE did not find anything, winpatrol shows only the programs I really need. I restored a system partition from backup image, now everything is just fine! :)