Windows Error Message

[frazzled67]

Suddenly I am getting an error message in Windows. It says, "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed. A problem caused the application to stop working correctly. Windows will notify you if a solution is available." I have Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1.

What does this mean? Do I need to take some kind of action? How do I fix it?

Thanks!
Frazzled

 

[H2SO4]

If you run TASKLIST /SVC from a CMD prompt you'll see several instances of a process called SVCHOST.EXE. That is the "host process for Windows services" referred to by your error message. One of those instances of the process is sometimes crashing.

How often does this happen?

Do you know of any way to reproduce the error on demand?

 

[frazzled67]

It happens at least daily. I think it happens when I am in either Word or Outlook. I'm not sure if it happens with both applications or just one of them. I am almost always in both at the same time.

Thanks.