While I'm not connected to the net, I see an icon with the message
Downloading updates:28%. And I can't run any programs as its very
slow. In task manager, svchost.exe is using a high amount of memory
and always 97-99% of my CPU. I end this process and things ran
smoothly again. What could be done to resolve this problem?
Thanks guys.

Try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) & reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

If no joy, try deleting the contents of this folder (or the folder itself) &
reboot:

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
===============
Hotfix: When you run Windows Update to scan for updates that use Windows
Installer, including Office updates, CPU utilization may reach 100 percent
for prolonged periods (Prerequisite: msi.exe v3.1.4000.2435)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916089

Hotfix: The Automatic Updates service may stop responding (msi.exe
v3.1.4000.2648)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914810/en-us

Hotfix: You receive an access violation when you try to install an update
from Windows Update after you apply hotfix package 916089 (WinXP: msi.exe
v3.1.4000.4003) (24 Jan-07)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

jchchye wrote:
> While I'm not connected to the net, I see an icon with the message
> Downloading updates:28%. And I can't run any programs as its very
> slow. In task manager, svchost.exe is using a high amount of memory
> and always 97-99% of my CPU. I end this process and things ran
> smoothly again. What could be done to resolve this problem?
> Thanks guys.