Computer stuff

[jwalker]

Anyone know what the Microsoft program, which resides in the system32 folder, svchost.exe, does?

Ta.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Anyone know what the Microsoft program, which resides in the system32 folder, svchost.exe, does?

Ta.

JW, I always find a simple google of the process name does the trick:

http://www.liutilities.com/products/...brary/svchost/

[Jono]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Anyone know what the Microsoft program, which resides in the system32 folder, svchost.exe, does?

Ta.

Yeahhh..it's where your 'puter stores the evidence of all them dodgy sites you've been surfing..............

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Jono

Yeahhh..it's where your 'puter stores the evidence of all them dodgy sites you've been surfing..............

[jwalker]

Thanks for that enlightening but confusing link, Jimbo.

[Jimbo]

Ok, sorry

I've done a bit more digging, and this one might be a bit clearer: http://ask-leo.com/where_is_it_alrig...exe_to_be.html

Basically - if you only have the one running (and the one in the system32 folder) it looks like you're ok. If you have more than one, stop and delete all the ones that are not in the system32 folder!

I tend to use AVG virus killer (Free!), Spybot Search & Destroy (Free!) and Ad-Aware (Yep, free!). I also have Zone Alarm (Free!!!!) running - the first 3 should pick up if there are any svchost problems if you do a scan.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Basically - if you only have the one running (and the one in the system32 folder) it looks like you're ok. If you have more than one, stop and delete all the ones that are not in the system32 folder!

That’s incorrect. It likely that there are numerous copies running. I currently have 13 instances.

svchost.exe is used by windows to run services such as the DHCP client (used to obtain an IP address for your network card/modem), the Event Log, the pretty blue/silver XP themes etc.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by DJL

That’s incorrect. It likely that there are numerous copies running. I currently have 13 instances.

OK, my apologies for feeding duff information - I only gathered it from a quick google. Sorry JW, hope you get it sorted.

Cheers for technical and accurate info Daniel - will make a note.

[IanE]

I've got 12 ( and that's on a tablet!!)

Ian

[DJL]

Originally Posted by IanE

I've got 12 ( and that's on a tablet!!)

Ian

Most will have around that number. The reason there are so many is that each instance is running using different credentials, such as LocalService, LocalServiceNoNetwork, NetworkService etc, so that the services being hosted by svchost only have the access they need and no more.


Sorry Jimbo, didn't mean to sound harsh or anything..

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by DJL

Sorry Jimbo, didn't mean to sound harsh or anything..

Nono - not harsh at all, happy to be corrected by someone more in the know!

I've just checked and I've got 8 instances running at present...

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Jono

Yeahhh..it's where your 'puter stores the evidence of all them dodgy sites you've been surfing..............

Boatmad ?

[jwalker]

Thanks to all. Running OK again after a bit of jiggery pokery. What's interesting about svchost in the system32 folder is, you can't delete it but you can rename it but then the system immediately writes another one!

Thanks again.

[v666]

Look out for svchost.exe spelt wrong (eg. scvhost.exe , svchosts.exe) as there is a nasty about that attempts to hide it self like this.

Tim