100% CPU w/ Automatic Updates enabled XP SP2

Let me say that this problem is bewildering me. I consider myself and expert computer user yet I can't figure it out.

Sometimes on reboot, if Automatic Updates are enabled, when the computer boots wuauclt.exe (the windows update client) will take 100% cpu usage and nearly hang the computer, making it run slow as can be. If Automatic Updates are disabled, this does not happen. I'm not sure if it is related, but I am also having a strange printer problem; sometimes when printing my computer spits out an error and says it cannot find my USB Epson Stylus 900. However, sometimes if I close my explorer windows it will say "a printing error has occured" and it will start printing. Also if I reboot, it will sometimes start printing. I have also received the "Your computer has recovered from a serious error" a number of times recently when rebooting (I leave the computer on 24/7).

Despite all this, for the most part the computer works fine, even with intensive 3D video games.

I have scanned my computer with the following:
CA's E-Trust Antivirus latest
Trend Micro online AV scan
Swat-It Trojan Scanner
Ad-Aware SE latest
Spybot S&D latest
BHODemon

And I've come up with no virus/spyware

I've also used the following:
Hijackthis latest
Taskinfo 2003 latest

To identify every process running, and have found no malicious processes running. I also have Zonealarm running and found nothing suspicious in its log or in the program list.

I've also Scandisk'd and Defrag'd my harddrive, and used the windows tool to verify all my critical system files are intact. Also used memory testing and harddrive testing software and found no errors.

That being the case, the 100% CPU usage with Automatic Updates on boot does not appear to be a virus/worm, as I have exhausted every resource and have failed to identify any such problem. However if it is not, what could this strange problem be? And where does the issue with the printer fit in and the "recovered from a serious error" issue fit in? Is there anyway to fix this without reinstalling windows (or disabling automatic updates )?

Hi Ruined,

Sounds strange. Please post a fresh HijackThis log for review. Please make sure it is Ver 1.99 or download it here:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

Tom

Hey I have exactly the same problem on my laptop!
And i know people who have had this problem... but dont know how they got rid of it!

I'm (almost) a bachelor in IT, and a those other people i know one of them also studies it, but we cant find a solution!

I have been looking for a couple of weeks now for a solution, checking microsofts support site, but havent found anything usefull!

I know one thing that worked for me once, do a standby and problem should be fixed!

greetz,
Tim