Where's my RAM going

[Denis O]

I have a Dell Dimension desktop which is about 1 year old running XP Pro, 80Gb with around 10% used and 512 RAM.

It seemed to be running a little slow recently when accessing web pages, so I checked System Resources and found that only about 140 Mb of RAM is available. That's with no programmes running, to my knowledge, except the tool bar which launches on start-up.

Norton (latest version) shows no virus' present. Spybot always finds something called "Fast Click" but can't fix it. I downloaded AdAware and that found 72 problems and fixed them. I also downloaded something called Registry Mechanic which found loads of problems and fixed about 75% without going to the subscription bit.

I've cleared out the Cache, except for Cookies, and web access is back to normal speed.

When I reboot, on closing down I often get a closing programme window, even though nothing is running to my knowledge. Once booted up again if I then check system resources I have around 280Mb Ram available but that reduces as time goes on even though programmes are closed down after use.

If I do Ctrl, Alt, Del, the list of what's running is considerable but I am loathe to cancel anything for fear of screwing things up.

Any ideas on what I should do or am I worrying needlessly.

[pdV6]

Denis O said:

am I worrying needlessly.

You say that there's no programs running, but you forget that Windows itself is using most of your memory as necessary.

Your slowing down is more likely dur to needing a spring clean; defrag the disk, run a spyware checker, maybe clean the registry etc.

[fish]

The new Norton is horrific on RAM. Open task manager, right click bottom status bar and select task manager.

Select the processes tab, this will show exactly where your memory is being used. If you don't know what the process is google it!

[annodomini2]

Would recommend using something like AVG or Kaspersky in terms of anti-virus, the real problem with Norton and symantec is, due to their wide use, they are actually targeted by viruses.

Additionally, Norton has a habit of wrapping itself round your system and has a tendency to strangle the performance, also if you do choose to change, re-install windows as their uninstall programs tend to leave stuff hanging around so you have no performance benefit. Poor quality software.

[Plotloss]

You cant get an accurate picture of memory useage through Windows, its a bit of a red herring putting process memory useage in there at all.

Since NT4 Windows has got a lot more clever at how it manages memory. It will throw all it can at anything it sees running from the Kernel up.

You are worrying needlessly I would say, if you see an immediate degredation then there is a fault probably something leaking memory but if you just find your machine gets slower and slower over time (with more and more installed apps) the first thing to change is to add more memory.

[:J:]

Try running ad-aware on it, get's rid of Spyware.

Sorted out my internet speed before

[Denis O]

Thanks for all your replies. Most helpfull and obviously not too much to worry about.

I will probably get an additional 512mb of RAM.

[deckster]

For general performance issues I'd agree with the more RAM route. I had 512MB and my XP system ran like an absolute dog. Slap in an extra gig and turn off the swap file - runs like a dream now. For the price I guarantee you there's no better upgrade.

[JonRB]

Denis O said:

Norton (latest version) shows no virus' present.

Well there's your problem then. Norton is outrageously resource-hungry.

I had NAV'04 on an old laptop with only 130Mb RAM and discovered over half of that was being gobbled by Norton. Obviously that was unstalled PDQ, or rather it wasn't as it wouldn't and I had to start registry hacking.

[TonyToniTone]

Plotloss said:

You cant get an accurate picture of memory useage through Windows, its a bit of a red herring putting process memory useage in there at all.

You can get a pretty good idea running perfmon..