wowexec.com takes over 100% of CPU

[Gyula]

Occasionally when I'm on the Internet via my WiFi network my system slows down and Task Manager shows that the file, wowexec.com, has expanded so that 100% of my CPU is being used. Using the Task Manager to "End Process"--or basically delete--this file returns everything to normal: normal CPU usage and no apparent problems with any other programs.

I googled wowexec.com and leaned that there are numerous listing of other users having the exact same problem I described above. Further that wowexec.* is a program that creates a virtual system for running 16-bit apps. But I found no answer to the question of how to stop or prevent wowexec.* from taking over my CPU cycles.

Would appreciate any assistance or hand-holding with this issue.

 

[Glenn9999]

wowexec is a program which exists on NT/2000/XP to run 16-bit applications. Essentially WOW stands for "Windows on Windows".

Do you have a process that you're trying to run and it's not working? Like a program that doesn't want to run?

Are you running the Kerio firewall?

 

[xwb]

If you get the process explorer (like task manager but a lot better) from SysInternals/Microsoft, it will tell you what launched it or what it is trying to launch.

 

[stduc]

While you figure out what is going on - i.e. is it legit or part of some malware/virus process you may want to consider changing it to be of low priority rather than killing it. This will give you full control over the machine again while you run sysinternals process explorer and or anti spy and ant virus software to see if it is the trojan or correct version and find out what called it and decide if you need it or not.

wowexec should only be running if you are running a 16 bit application. It should exist in the \windows\system32 & \windows\system32\dllcache folders only.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[linney]

Windows On Windows Execution Support Process provides support for 16-bit Windows applications together with ntvdm.exe.

Troubleshooting MS-DOS-based programs in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314106&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

314495 - How to Troubleshoot 16-Bit Windows Programs in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314495&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

"You may encounter other similar error messages, but with different file names config.nt and Autoexec.nt. This issue may occur if one or more of the following files are missing or damaged:"

Config.nt
Autoexec.nt
Command.com

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/16bit.htm

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