strange RAM problem - any ideas?

[brotherS]

Hi,

I have this problem when I run my Windows 2000 Pro (all SPs, most updates) for a longer period. In a few hours I will have reached 1 month uptime (my personal record) and since a few days I can't use all of my RAM anymore.

Stats are like

strange RAM problem - any ideas?

but I can't open new programs or even the Windows task manager before I close (for example) one of the IE windows or Winamp. They just won't open up.


Even if I close something else first a fresh opened window might have drawing issues or some menues are incomplete - like the tray icon menu for Screenshot Captor (no "exit" option):

strange RAM problem - any ideas?

Could I fix this WITHOUT having to restart Windows? Any ideas?

Btw, 50 to 60 processes are active all the time - I like multi-tasking

[Carol Haynes]

Sounds like it could be a memory leak.

Can you snapshot your running tasks in TaskManager ?

[mouser]

yep, sounds like gdi or memory leak.
you need to install a program that reports memory/gdi use.
TaskInfo is the one i use but some other free ones have been reported on this forum.
probably too late to fix it until next reboot.
or you could try exiting programs until you get some memory back.

[brotherS]

Thanks you two, see the running processes below. If you think "that's a LOT of IE instances!" you are right - since Firefox can't handle many tabs without using more than 200 or even more than 300 MB of RAM here I have to wait for the final 1.5 Firefox to use it again.

you need to install a program that reports memory/gdi use.
TaskInfo is the one i use but some other free ones have been reported on this forum.

Could you personally recommend some freeware tool for doing so?

strange RAM problem - any ideas?

[Carol Haynes]

Checkout TaskInfo

Can't see anything in your TaskManager listing (except for Leerlaufprozess 97% CPU - what is that) ??

[mouser]

i have been a taskinfo user for quite a while, but
the freeware program process explorer has been recommended on this forum; i just tried the latest version and it is good and does show GDI usage:
http://www.sysintern...ProcessExplorer.html

[mouser]

search for Leerlaufprozess and youll get about a million german hits saying (i'm guessing) the equivelant in german of:
"WTF IS LEERLAUFPROZESS AND WHY IS IT EATING UP ALL OF THE CPU!@$$@@#"

[Carol Haynes]

ProcessExplorer looks really neat (and has the advantage of being free!). It almost gives too much information!

[brotherS]

@ "WTF IS LEERLAUFPROZESS AND WHY IS IT EATING UP ALL OF THE CPU!@$$@@#"

Ok, I chose ProcessExplorer since they made some other nice tools too

Where do I find GDI usage in there? Here's some info to start with for you:

strange RAM problem - any ideas?

[mouser]

GDI Objects and User Objects are columns in the table.

Youd want to look for any program with insane numbers like > 1000

[brotherS]

GDI Objects and User Objects are columns in the table.

Youd want to look for any program with insane numbers like > 1000

-mouser (October 05, 2005, 09:22 AM)

Ah, ok, I had to enable those columns. I didn't find any >1000 but some with quite high numbers... (scroll to the very right) Comments?

strange RAM problem - any ideas?

[mouser]

i don't see anything strange, but that other app that was taking 100% of your cpu could have messed things up.
i would also try running without the ram saver app.. who knows.

[jpfx]

try system idle process...