Problem starting PublishingTools Service

[Syed_AzamGhouri]

I am using ArcGIS server 10.2.2. The following message appeared when starting PublishingTools service and it is persistent. Is there a fix for this. Please help. Thanks

Service failed to start

System.PublishingTools.GPServer: 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Service containing process crashed for 'System/PublishingTools.GPServer'.Please see if an error report was generated in 'C:\arcgisserver\logs\SWPRUPFS.MMAA.GOV.QA\errorreports'. To send an error report to Esri, compose an e-mail to ArcGISErrorReport@esri.com and attach the error report file.

[Syed_AzamGhouri]

I did that also and waiting for their reply.  just checking if I can get a quick fix. Thank you friend.

[CarmelConnolly]

Could this be part of the problem? Meltdown and Spectre Processor Vulnerabilities | ArcGIS Blog 

Carmel

[ZacharyStauber1]

I have just started getting this, too, on both my test and production servers.  And I have been applying all Microsoft patches immediately due to the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities.  I'm starting to think they're connected as well.  The "System/PublishingTools.GPServer" won't start, and nothing new will publish.

[RandallWilliams]

If you're working with Windows Server 2008r2 or Windows 7, then this issue is likely related conflicts with patches that Microsoft has released regarding the Meltdown and Spectre bugs. As Carmel Connolly mentioned above, we've been discussing this issue in this blog:

https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2018/01/08/meltdown-and-spectre-processor-vulnerabilities

Esri support services is tracking this as [#BUG-000110662 Geoprocessing service instances crash after installing windows patches on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7. ]

We are diligently testing and investigating this issue.

[Syed_AzamGhouri]

How far your investigation has come? Can you please update on what could possibly be done to get over this issue. Due to this we are having issues with our web printing geo-processing service as well. Please. Thanks.

[RandallWilliams]

We have identified the issue and are methodically testing patches.

[Syed_AzamGhouri]

I am checking this daily for update on this. I need a fix for this asap. Thanks

[ZacharyStauber1]

It sounds like Mr. Ghouri would be willing to beta test your patch(es).

[Syed_AzamGhouri]

We could resolve this issue by reversing the changes made to the OS as mentioned on this blog:

https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2018/01/08/meltdown-and-spectre-processor-vulnerabilities

This is temporary. We don't know if these patches are important updates to the system which mandate their installation again. In that case a permanent solution will be needed. Thanks 

[RandallWilliams · Accepted solution]

Esri has released patches for ArcGIS 10.5.1, 10.4.1, and 10.3.1.

https://support.esri.com/en/download/7576