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svchost.exe Win XP Pro SP2

Yin

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I recently started having problems with my comp and normally i would format but i have been too busy and stuff to do all that and i need a fix for my problem

the problem is after a while my svchost.exe screws up and i have to close it, which then causes my sound driver to disappear..... and my keyboard shortcuts not to work at all ( media keys). I think the cause of this could of been an updated version of directx 9 feb, i am not sure but.

any idea what exlactly svchost.exe is or what my problem may be would be appreciated thanks
 

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Shells for other programs.
 

Yin

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shells? as in when you right click something and it has the added stuff eg winzip?
 

ex_reven

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here's microsofts definition
The Svchost.exe file is located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. At startup, Svchost.exe checks the services part of the registry to construct a list of services that it must load. Multiple instances of Svchost.exe can run at the same time. Each Svchost.exe session can contain a grouping of services. Therefore, separate services can run, depending on how and where Svchost.exe is started.

I also found this, which may help you determine what svchost file is screwing up...

To view the list of services that are running in Svchost:
1. Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type CMD, and then press ENTER.
3. Type Tasklist /SVC, and then press ENTER.

for their complete rundown, check out:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056
 

Yin

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hmm it still doesnt make any sense to me what so ever.... lol
thanks for the help tho
 

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I am sure theres a thread like this already. this is a thread that appears on all computer forums repeatidly
 

ex_reven

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actually a search only yielded 3 threads that even mention svchost, and none of them have anything to do with a driver based failure.

And im guessing he has probably tried google too...
maybe alecstar can help, hes always good with these software/driver based problems
 

Alec§taar

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maybe alecstar can help, hes always good with these software/driver based problems

The guys above found the definitions from the horses' mouth on HOW svchost.exe works...

VERY "SORT OF" like how you can see NTVDM.EXE work in Taskmgr.exe, when it runs DOS/Win16 programs really!

NTVDM.EXE acts as 16-bit program's 'broker' more-or-less... running them in ITS memory spaces as subordinate processes for CERTAIN w/ Win16 by default (unless you make them run in separate ones) & DOS ones run in their OWN spaces - still, this is what controls them in either case!

A tool by Sysinternals (procexp.exe/"process explorer") can give you THAT kind of picture (how taskmgr.exe can show ntvdm.exe 16 bit process broker & showing its child processes) on services processes (services.exe, svchost.exe, etc.) & 'break-out' their subordinate services they run, & control them as well, like how taskmgr.exe can do...

A 'better taskmgr.exe' in some ways really!

APK

P.S.=> Barring that, which is a GUI program?

I believe that:

tasklist.exe /SERVICES

Can do the same for services, albeit in DOS console/tty terminal screen mode... tasklist /? gets you ALL of its commandline options, if I am incorrect above though!

In a hurry now, have to go, but hope this helps! apk
 
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Yin

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Yes i have tried searching for it =P, normally i find the results a lot faster then waiting for someone to post a working solution, but then theres times when it takes too long and i just post a threat.

I have tried tasklist.exe in cmd, i am not sure what i am really doing with it but, and i got no idea how to work the filters.... (I wasn't really around during the dos days).

If it helps I got an nforce chipset, and i am using the integrated sound card, when the svchost.exe dies, I cant access my nvidia mixer (thing in bottom right corner).
 

Alec§taar

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I have tried tasklist.exe in cmd, i am not sure what i am really doing with it but, and i got no idea how to work the filters.... (I wasn't really around during the dos days).

Then, hit Microsoft's SystemInternals site, & download PROCESS EXPLORER...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Look in the PROCESSES section, you will find it there.

It will do the job for you, GUI/graphically easy... & it has a LOT more options for control than does taskmgr.exe, & also far more than the tasklist.exe command does (I mentioned that so you had something CLOSE @ HAND/native to the OS, that you could use immediately is all).

* GOOD LUCK & you now have the tools for the job!

APK

P.S.=>
If it helps I got an nforce chipset, and i am using the integrated sound card, when the svchost.exe dies, I cant access my nvidia mixer (thing in bottom right corner).

This sounds like Windows Audio service is 'dying' on you almost... check that via services.msc, & also look @ your eventlogs in EventViewer for err messages, they ARE your pal, via using -> %windir%\system32\eventvwr.msc... apk
 

Yin

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This sounds like Windows Audio service is 'dying' on you almost... check that via services.msc, & also look @ your eventlogs in EventViewer for err messages, they ARE your pal, via using -> %windir%\system32\eventvwr.msc... apk

Yeah your right my Windows Audio service is dying, I worked a way to get it working again without restarting and thats by going into services by admin tools and restarting it there.
 

Alec§taar

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Yeah your right my Windows Audio service is dying

I figured as much... good, (well not really for you in your case) you now know what is what over there & @ least can work on it now, hopefully.

I worked a way to get it working again without restarting and thats by going into services by admin tools and restarting it there.

That'll do it - services.msc is a direct way to that, because I am assuming @ least, that you 'attacked the problem' by messing w/ that service, there.

GOOD LUCK - hope it does not keep happening & all that.

APK

P.S.=> Services HAVE options for when they fail, & I believe that attempting to restart themselves when they fail IS one of them... & if they fail more than X times, you can make a program run so you can restart them, or whatever (take a look around inside this service, in its properties, you'll see what I mean - right now though? I NEED COFFEE!!! It's "mornin'-tyme" & my brain's 'consciousness service' isn't working fully lol...) apk
 
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Flamingsupernova

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Hey there Yin, I have the EXACT same problem, and i cant for the life of me figure out why. It came up just after i did a windows update.
 

Yin

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Hey there Yin, I have the EXACT same problem, and i cant for the life of me figure out why. It came up just after i did a windows update.

Hey sorry to hear, my solution was format n reinstall windows :(
I was tweaking at it for ages and kinda gave up, even with alec's help.
I know a quick fix but it gets annoying after a while.
here it is anyways

when the problem occurs go to
control panel>admin tools>services
find windows audio, and restart\start it.

this however doesnt fix any other problems it may have caused, like my media keys on my keyboard and etc. (basically whatever else associates with the svchost.exe file)
 

Yin

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OMG it happening again, flamingsupernova since you have the same problem mind telling me all your hardware? and software? any thing that may help to identify this problem

My hardware consist of
Processor: AMD 3700+ San Diego
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Mouse : Razer Diamondback
 

Alec§taar

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OMG it happening again, flamingsupernova since you have the same problem mind telling me all your hardware? and software? any thing that may help to identify this problem

Get me your EVENT VIEWER failure messages for this service "conking out" on you... it MAY help!

:)

APK

P.S.=> We "zero'd-in" on the fact that it IS your "Windows Audio Service" dying on you above via the methods I outlined, now...? Let's try to find out WHY... apk
 

Yin

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Get me your EVENT VIEWER failure messages for this service "conking out" on you... it MAY help!

:)

APK

P.S.=> We "zero'd-in" on the fact that it IS your "Windows Audio Service" dying on you above via the methods I outlined, now...? Let's try to find out WHY... apk

firstly THANK YOU for helping me alecstaar, I've looked out it but i still dont get it, so here you go



If i am not mistaken the version is referring to the Windows Version? and Netapi32.dll? a network driver? and yes i have tried to reinstalled my network driver
 

Alec§taar

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firstly THANK YOU for helping me alecstaar

Don't thank me just yet, until we figure this out, if possible, but we know @ least that your Audio Service is getting its butt kicked by something @ this point is all...

, I've looked out it but i still dont get it, so here you go

I need messages regarding why your Audio service is dead specificallly... or, svchost.exe even (taskmgr.exe can help), at the moment your sound dies, or near to it... then, in the eventlog you look for messages about that timestamped the same, or VERY NEAR to it.

AND REMEMBER: Process Explorer from above? It's BETTER than taskmgr.exe in this case, because it can show you WHICH service is dying, when, & LARGELY, why.

Catching this in event logs via eventvwr.msc, is tough... timing & possibly TONS of messages of the "ERROR/FAILURE" type to sift thru... but, it's STILL a good tool for this type of analysis, too.

If i am not mistaken the version is referring to the Windows Version? and Netapi32.dll? a network driver? and yes i have tried to reinstalled my network driver

Don't jump the gun on this yet, doing stuff like that knockout & reinstall of network card drivers, as it may not be the cause here!

(That is, unless there is somekind of interrupt interference between your NIC & your soundcard, DMA-interrupts related stuff, & resources on them can sometimes be changed - I haven't seen that happen in YEARS, not since the DOS days, w/ NICS & soundcards, but it might be happening here, but iirc, PCI-interrupts are NOT quite the same, & not limited to 15 IRQ's lines to the CPU, etc.)...

See - I suspect it is NOT really this Netapi32.dll message you're showing - check the other events near that one, time-wise especially... & look for one related to services stalling.

Thanks, & sorry for the inconvenience...

APK
 
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