Mcshield.exe & winlogon.exe running excessively

[jmckee]

Has anyone else started noticing mcshield.exe and winlogon.exe running excessively? Noticed the drive light was on a lot when the system was idle and checked Task Manager. Both mcshield and winlogon would cycle between zero activity for winlogon and mcshield or winlogon would be at 15% - 20% and mcshield would be at 50% - 70%. Both phases lasted for a few seconds.

Any clues? Is the problem of a couple years ago back again?

Win XP SP3

McAfee VirusScan Plus version 15.6 build 15.6.238

DAT  6943

[Hayton]

What's the Security Center build and version number?

[jmckee]

Security Center is 11.6  build 11.6.443

This issue started within the past couple of days.

[stanisluv]

Wait when McAfee will be updated to next version or try to reinstall it.

[jmckee]

stanisluv wrote:
Wait when McAfee will be updated to next version or try to reinstall it.

Reinstalling is not an option as I have dialup access only. Had to do that a year and a half ago and it took almost 12 hours.

[moldyjacket]

I have with the same Virus Scan and Security Center versions you do, haven’t noticed any unexplained high CPU usage yet. Did you happen to get a McAfee update around then; I’ve seen McShield CPU usage up during and following updates for awhile which I consider normal processing. Winlogon is typically higher during the actual update process itself.

Boy, you’re going to have a serious problem when the upgrade is pushed to you. Suggestion: contact McAfee Customer Service and request they mail you a 12.1 SC installation CD when you’re ready. They might charge you some money to ship it, but got to be worth every cent.

[Hayton]

jmckee wrote:
mcshield and winlogon would cycle between zero activity for winlogon and mcshield or winlogon would be at 15% - 20% and mcshield would be at 50% - 70%. Both phases lasted for a few seconds. 
Any clues? Is the problem of a couple years ago back again?

Not sure. On an XP machine McAfee code sometimes behaves unpredictably, in my experience. Giving the machine more memory sometimes helps. I've also experimented in System Properties / Advanced / Performance / Advanced with changing Processor Scheduling priorities to give Background Services higher priority. I still can't work out whether the McAfee programs are counted as background services or not ... let's just say it didn't seem to harm the system. Didn't improve it a lot, but maybe a little bit.

[jmckee]

The last update , other than DATs , was 12/20/12. The system was OK then. The problem was noted only in the last few days. Something had to have changed , the question is what.

[moldyjacket]

I see this behavior during DAT updates and we got a new Boot DAT too. It’s just an idea to consider, as you inquired.

[Peacekeeper]

There was an update to the 443 build around then. Re dial up I will see if I can arrange a cd for you.