Hello, all…

In the last three days, I’ve gotten this message several times a day:

GENERIC HOST PROCESS FOR WIN 32 SERVICES HAS ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO CLOSE…

It happens mostly when I’m online, but not always.  I can be online for about 45 minutes, then the message just appears, and everything stops working.  The icon says I’m still connected (dialup), but the website says can’t find server, and does not function. I then have to shut down and reboot.

My first action was to go to Trend Micro and run their virus check, but when I start the check, it fails when it starts to download the applet for Java. I removed and reinstalled Java, but one hour later, same thing again. I’ve tried Stinger, which ran through the C Drive, but showed no infection while at the same time showing the Generic Host Message again!  I looked in windows System Info, and the problem seems to be somehow connected with a file called SVCHOST.EXE:

Windows Summary
System Error Reporting 8/12/2006 11:38 AM            Application Error        

Faulting application SVCHOST.EXE, version 5.1.2600.2180, faulting module NETAPI32.DLL, version 5.1.2600.2180, fault address 0x0000a3c0. .

I searched the forum for references to generic host process for win 32, and found several. However, none of them contained any fixes.  One referred to the Microsoft site, but all it said there was the problem was caused by incorrect printer drivers (HP) for XP.  I checked my drivers and they are all up to date. 

The message is now appearing about every half hour, causing me to lose current work, shut down and reboot over and over.  Can I just delete the SVCHOST files, or will that cause other problems?

I’m no expert, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

sunland9

Dimension 8400
3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
2560 Megabytes Installed Memory
Seagate 300GB Hard drive
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
LITE-ON DVD SHD-16P1S [CD-ROM drive]
LITE-ON DVDRW SHM-165H6S [CD-ROM drive]
HP DeskJet 1220C Printer