SVChost.exe 99% CPU Usage with SP3 installed

Hello,

I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
slowed till a standstill and became unusable.

The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.

I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
PC full bore.

I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
both having SP3 installed.

Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
on either machine.

Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
prompt to come up.

When you run Windows Update to scan for updates that use Windows Installer, including Office updates, you may experience a memory
leak, or you may receive an error message for the Svchost process
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
Hello,

I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
slowed till a standstill and became unusable.

The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.

I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
PC full bore.

I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
both having SP3 installed.

Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
on either machine.

Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
prompt to come up.

This doesn't help. Your link references updates that are included in the SP3
install. So the updates you link says to install to correct that problem
were already installed with Service Pack 3.

Further, I did not have this problem prior to SP3 being installed. Please
tell me how to correct the problem with Service Pack 3 already installed.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> When you run Windows Update to scan for updates that use Windows Installer, including Office updates, you may experience a memory
> leak, or you may receive an error message for the Svchost process
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089/
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Desktop Experience -
> Windows Vista Enthusiast
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
> Hello,
>
> I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
> Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
> slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
>
> The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
> Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
> and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
>
> I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
> something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
> svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
> PC full bore.
>
> I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
> was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
> this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
> both having SP3 installed.
>
> Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
> on either machine.
>
> Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
> updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
> takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
> prompt to come up.
>
>

Please initiate a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...=6527&x=16&y=7

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B768CB1F-ABD1-4718-915B-317FCBB3B35E@microsoft.com...
This doesn't help. Your link references updates that are included in the SP3
install. So the updates you link says to install to correct that problem
were already installed with Service Pack 3.

Further, I did not have this problem prior to SP3 being installed. Please
tell me how to correct the problem with Service Pack 3 already installed.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> When you run Windows Update to scan for updates that use Windows Installer, including Office updates, you may experience a memory
> leak, or you may receive an error message for the Svchost process
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089/
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Desktop Experience -
> Windows Vista Enthusiast
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
> Hello,
>
> I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
> Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
> slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
>
> The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
> Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
> and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
>
> I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
> something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
> svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
> PC full bore.
>
> I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
> was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
> this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
> both having SP3 installed.
>
> Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
> on either machine.
>
> Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
> updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
> takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
> prompt to come up.
>
>

Hi Will, ignore the title of this KB article and reinstall the WU Agent -
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

Reboot.

If that hasn't helped contact MS for free support -

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (All Languages)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP, but
only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14, 2009. For
more information about this policy, visit the Windows XP Support Lifecycle page located at
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223. Chat and e-mail support is available only
in the United States and Canada. For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and
Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173, and then choose
your product.

.. US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

.. CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

.. UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

.. AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

.. Other:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173
select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
| Hello,
|
| I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
| Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
| slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
|
| The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
| Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
| and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
|
| I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
| something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
| svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
| PC full bore.
|
| I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
| was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
| this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
| both having SP3 installed.
|
| Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
| on either machine.
|
| Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
| updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
| takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
| prompt to come up.

I tried using the commands in the prompt. A dialog box told me that the .dll
was not found. So I tried downloading and installing the WU Agent only to be
told it's allready installed. SVChost is driving me nuts! Any other ideas.

Thanx,
Mike

"TaurArian" wrote:

> Hi Will, ignore the title of this KB article and reinstall the WU Agent -
> 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
>
> Reboot.
>
> If that hasn't helped contact MS for free support -
>
> Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (All Languages)
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP, but
> only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14, 2009. For
> more information about this policy, visit the Windows XP Support Lifecycle page located at
> http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223. Chat and e-mail support is available only
> in the United States and Canada. For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and
> Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173, and then choose
> your product.
>
> .. US:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> .. CA:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> .. UK:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> .. AU:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> .. Other:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173
> select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
>
>
> --
>
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
> ======================================
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
>
>
> "Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
> | Hello,
> |
> | I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
> | Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
> | slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
> |
> | The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
> | Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
> | and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
> |
> | I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
> | something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
> | svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
> | PC full bore.
> |
> | I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
> | was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
> | this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
> | both having SP3 installed.
> |
> | Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
> | on either machine.
> |
> | Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
> | updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
> | takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
> | prompt to come up.
>
>
>

I had the same problem....what can we do to fix it?

"Guacamole" wrote:

> I tried using the commands in the prompt. A dialog box told me that the .dll
> was not found. So I tried downloading and installing the WU Agent only to be
> told it's allready installed. SVChost is driving me nuts! Any other ideas.
>
> Thanx,
> Mike
>
> "TaurArian" wrote:
>
> > Hi Will, ignore the title of this KB article and reinstall the WU Agent -
> > 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
> >
> > Reboot.
> >
> > If that hasn't helped contact MS for free support -
> >
> > Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (All Languages)
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> >
> > Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP, but
> > only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14, 2009. For
> > more information about this policy, visit the Windows XP Support Lifecycle page located at
> > http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223. Chat and e-mail support is available only
> > in the United States and Canada. For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and
> > Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173, and then choose
> > your product.
> >
> > .. US:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> >
> > .. CA:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> >
> > .. UK:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> >
> > .. AU:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> >
> > .. Other:
> > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173
> > select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
> > http://taurarian.mvps.org
> > ======================================
> > How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> > Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
> >
> >
> > "Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
> > | Hello,
> > |
> > | I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
> > | Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
> > | slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
> > |
> > | The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
> > | Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
> > | and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
> > |
> > | I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
> > | something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
> > | svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
> > | PC full bore.
> > |
> > | I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
> > | was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
> > | this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
> > | both having SP3 installed.
> > |
> > | Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
> > | on either machine.
> > |
> > | Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
> > | updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
> > | takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
> > | prompt to come up.
> >
> >
> >

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.......I was hesitant to apply sp3 and I SHOUD
HAVE TRUSTED MY INSTINCTS!
When will MS fix this piece of crap!??????
"pc" wrote:

> I had the same problem....what can we do to fix it?
>
> "Guacamole" wrote:
>
> > I tried using the commands in the prompt. A dialog box told me that the .dll
> > was not found. So I tried downloading and installing the WU Agent only to be
> > told it's allready installed. SVChost is driving me nuts! Any other ideas.
> >
> > Thanx,
> > Mike
> >
> > "TaurArian" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Will, ignore the title of this KB article and reinstall the WU Agent -
> > > 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
> > >
> > > Reboot.
> > >
> > > If that hasn't helped contact MS for free support -
> > >
> > > Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (All Languages)
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> > >
> > > Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for Windows XP, but
> > > only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is valid until April 14, 2009. For
> > > more information about this policy, visit the Windows XP Support Lifecycle page located at
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223. Chat and e-mail support is available only
> > > in the United States and Canada. For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and
> > > Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173, and then choose
> > > your product.
> > >
> > > .. US:
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> > >
> > > .. CA:
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> > >
> > > .. UK:
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> > >
> > > .. AU:
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
> > >
> > > .. Other:
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173
> > > select Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
> > > http://taurarian.mvps.org
> > > ======================================
> > > How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> > > Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
> > >
> > >
> > > "Will" <Will@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:40AE8209-E106-4C88-A613-165139A1242C@microsoft.com...
> > > | Hello,
> > > |
> > > | I recently installed SP3 on my laptop and desktop PC's running Windows XP
> > > | Home SP2. Everything was fine for about a week, but last night, both PC's
> > > | slowed till a standstill and became unusable.
> > > |
> > > | The show an instance of SVCHost.exe using 99% of the CPU. I used Process
> > > | Explorer to narrow the problem down to the Automatic Update service. Stop it
> > > | and SVCHost.exe goes to 0% usage and System Idle jumps back to 99%.
> > > |
> > > | I left the PC on today for 12 hours to see if it was actually downloading
> > > | something and might "fix" itself. After 12 hours, it was still using 99% for
> > > | svchost. No network activity light and no hard drive usage; just running the
> > > | PC full bore.
> > > |
> > > | I knew this was a problem that happened to some people a year ago, and there
> > > | was a fix. However, wasn't SP3 supposed to have all those fixes. Why did
> > > | this start happenening on two different PC's at exactly the same time,, with
> > > | both having SP3 installed.
> > > |
> > > | Also SP3 was installed from disc, not download and installed with no errors
> > > | on either machine.
> > > |
> > > | Can anyone help me with a solution that will allow me to use automatic
> > > | updates, and not have svchost.exe use 99% of my CPU. With the problem, it
> > > | takes 10 minutes to open Explorer, or even 5 minutes just to get a command
> > > | prompt to come up.
> > >
> > >
> > >

freeheeler wrote:
> I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.......I was hesitant to apply sp3
> and I SHOUD HAVE TRUSTED MY INSTINCTS!
> When will MS fix this piece of crap!??????

Assuming that "MS" is "Microsoft" and "this piece of crap" is "Windows XP
SP3" (not just any SP3) then your solution is likely not coming from
Microsoft, but from your own evaluation of your specific issue and finding
the solution to that problem with SP3.

I suggest that you find out what with your specific system and settings
(software, hardware, etc) has caused the issue with Windows XP SP3. I would
then properly prepare in the future before you install something as large as
a service pack (SP3 contains SP1a, SP2 and 1174+ updates after SP2 until
SP3.) Here's some stuff to consider...

A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131


WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...1/relnotes.htm

Key things to note:

Internet Explorer:
"If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows XP
SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002:
"If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may malfunction. To
avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows XP SP3. If
this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows
XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

It seems some people are unable to get further updates after installing
SP3... Seems some have experienced a symptom similar to doing a repair
installation on Windows XP - and the same fix seems to work for them for
that...

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

Some people experience an "endless reboot" issue...

From PA Bear [MS MVP]:
Workarounds:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
[NB: The above has been updated many times and now includes "a small tool
that will detect the IntelPPM problem and mitigate it before installing
[WinXP SP3]."

1. Boot into Safe Mode and rename INTELPMM.SYS to INTELPMM.OLD.
2. After booting into Safe Mode:
Start --> Run --> (copy/paste)
sc config intelppm start= disabled
--> OK --> Reboot into normal (Windows) mode.

Other references include:
.. http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?p=187790#p187790
..
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...ng-xp-sp3.aspx
.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05...boots_crashes/
..
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...leId=9084 418
.. You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error message after you upgrade to Windows
XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 on a non-Intel-processor-based computer
(Revised 06 May-08)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888372

Good luck!

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

For brevity I've removed all previous posts text from this response.

Though I don't yet have an answer to this issue I am experiencing it on one
of my two computers. My laptop isn't causing me this issue. My desktop,
however, is.

There were very little differences in the installations at the time that I
saw the issue start. Both have Windows XP Pro and both were updated to SP 3.
While the Laptop has Office 2003 Professional and all ancilary Office 2003
products (Visio, InfoPath, FrontPage, Project...) the Desktop has all of that
plus Office 2007 Enterprise and a couple of extras such as Visio, Project and
Expression Web.

When I installed the Office 2007 products I opted to keep all previous
versions of Office as well as the Download a file to keep it running and the
automatic updates.

I installed Office 2003 and Office 2007 after installing Windows XP SP3. I
did not notice any hit to performance until after installing Office 2007.

This leads me to believe that it is Office 2007 or part of the installation
that is causing the CPU issues.

I've installed Windows XP SP3 on many computers to date (I am in an IT
department and take care of over 200 workstations - and sadly over 200
end-users). SP3 has installed on all of them through automatic updates and
I've yet to receive a complaint.

It might be helpful to find out how many people who have this problem also
have installed Office 2003 with it's automatic updates turned on.

But I digress...

What has prompted me to post this reply is Sheenan's response to Freeheeler.
Though Freeheeler should not have used the verbage that he/she did I've
found myself in his/her level of frustration many times in the past 5 years.

There have been many Microsoft Updates that have brought our computers to
their knees. I've spent many mornings in crisis mode because a Microsoft
Update has crashed computers. Usually it starts with the VPs of the company
because they are there early (yes that isn't a typo).

We had an Automatic Update bring our Exchange Server down and it took a day
and a half for the poor gal who had to fix it to talk with Microsoft and
eventually determine that it was Microsoft's Update that caused the problem
in the first place.

Though I sympathize with Freeheeler's frustration I don't condone his/her
use of language.

I also strongly oppose Sheenan's retort. Microsoft has conditioned us to
beleive that any and all "Critical Updates" must be installed as soon as
possible. When they do put information about the update it is usually a very
long and complicated document that none of us in the "real" world have the
time to read and fully comprehend.

Microsoft's support is no longer what it used to be as well. I used to be
able to contact a real person by phone and get immediate, accurate and fully
understandable help to resolve a problem as soon as possible.

Microsoft understood that happy customers are faithful customers.

Now I can't get to anyone on the phone. If I can I'm stuck with someone who
cannot speak without an accent so strong that I cannot understand them.

Microsoft's documentation used to fully cover the software that it was
written for. I work with Visual Basic 6.0 Pro, Visual Studio .NET 2003 Pro,
and have just received Visual Studio .NET 2008 Pro.

I am here to tell you that Microsoft's documentation is no longer what it was.

I worked with VBA 6 a while back. The documentation was flawless. It was
truely a place to go to get any questions answered.

It is no longer the case.

I suggest that Shenan get off his/her high horse and start using compassion
towards those who've been hit by anything Microsoft that has caused their
computer to crash or become non-responsive. These are people who have work
to do and cannot do it because of a possible poorly written update.

I've been there. I know.

Let's become helpful, not condescending!

Whether you like what I say or not, there you have it.