After you install SMS 2003 SP3, the Wmiprvse.exe process may generate high CPU usage on client computers during hardware-inventory operations

SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:

•You install Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3).
•The SMS 2003 SP3 Asset Advisor performs hardware-inventory operations.
In this scenario, the Wmiprvse.exe process on client computers in the organization may generate high CPU usage. Sometimes, the CPU usage may spike to 100 percent.
CAUSE
This is a bug in the SMS_AutoStartSoftware class in the SMS_def.mof. This new class added in SP3 collects auto run software information from the clients. When we have some files in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run (or some other auto run locacations), the file language is a mixed language, and also the current user locale is different than the file language, SMS_AutoStartSoftware class cannot handle that correctly resulting in a high CPU utilization.
RESOLUTION
No resolution is currently available for this problem. We are working on an SMS 2003 SP3 hotfix to resolve this problem.
WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, modify the Sms_def.mof file to disable the following classes:
•SMS_AutoStartSoftware
•SMS_BrowserHelperObject
•SMS_InstalledSoftware
•SMS_SoftwareShortcut

Implemented:

Took a back of the MOF file and modified the sms_def.mof file to disable the SMS_AutoStartSoftware class in the SMS site server Monitored the inventory status during the next hardware inventory cycle