Generic Host Process for Win32 Services Error

Shortly after doing a clean install, and while installing various programs,
I'm getting a "Generic Host Process for Win32 Services Error". I close the
notification window and everything appears okay. However I then noticed that
my audio devices are no longer accessible. The device manager shows no
problems, but the options in the control panel are greyed out. The problem
is fixed, at least temporarily by reinstalling the audio drivers. Someone I
know is also experiencing the same problem. Both are XP SP2 systems.

I took a look around the net and I get the impression that it's an error
related to one of the MS updates, and that there's a fix for it, either a
revised update or a patch. Can someone tell me if this is the case and if it
is, what is the problem update file and what is the recommended fix for it?
Also when you the fix be applied during a clean install?

More than likely what happened is that the Windows Service - Windows Audio
died. Open SERVICES.MSC and check the status of Windows Audio. It should
be Automatic and Started.

Don't mean to sound sarcastic, but it's clear to me that the Windows
Service - Windows Audio has died. I'm trying to figure out what the cause
was. I have done 3 clean installs now and the error repeats itself in all 3
of them. Since I've have never seen this error in any previous installs, and
I've done quite a few, it has to have a cause because of something that is
now different. The fact that I know someone else experiencing the same thing
is interesting.

What kind of sound card do you have? Is it a integrated MOBO one?

It's integrated on the motherboard.

Yesterday I did another clean install and got the error message right after
installing the audio drivers. I'm wondering if it might be a boot sector
virus.

Hi darkrats,

I have been fighting this for awhile. But I fixed it. The problem isn't
with the Audio Drivers, but with a Corrupt installation of the Software
Firewall you are running. In my case McAfee Personal Firewall 8.0. I went
back to version 7.1.113.

Try this: Uninstall the Software Firewall and make sure the Windows XP
Firewall.is on after you reboot. Then go using Explore, delete all files in
your \Temp Folders. Close Explore and run Disk Cleanup.

Once you run Disk Cleanup, go into Tools for the operating system's Hard
Drive and schedule a complete chkdsk at boot.

Then I used TuneUp Utilities 2006's Registry Cleaner, running it until I
had zero Errors. http://www.tune-up.com/ 30-Day Trial version is available.

When done, reboot the computer.

Problem: When Svchost.exe closes, it stops all Services it controls.
Therefore, it stops Windows Audio Service.

Thanks for your help on this. I took a different approach and also solved
the problem.

I considered the following:

1. The error appears on other people's computers too.
2. After the error message the audio properties are greyed out.
3. System sounds continue to be heard as usual.
4. The error appears even after a clean install and just after installing
network drivers.
5. Some forums suggest a buffer overun attack via port 80 (which is usually
open)
6. I'm really familiar with the software on my computer.
7. I've done countless windows installs in the past without seeing this
error.

I did a search on the MS site for any patches dealing with buffer overuns
and found bulletin MS06-040 and it's associated patch KB921883.

I then applied the patch under the following two conditions:

1. During a clean install of windows, just before installing drivers
(including network). The error did not appear and everything continues to
work well.

2. After getting the error message on another machine; disconnected from the
net (by pulling the cable), reset audio services via services.msc, applied
the patch and then reconnected to the net. Have not seen the error message
since.

[youmadethisnecessary]

One simple tool solved my problem. Its name is Windows worms and doors cleaner.