Memory Unaccounted For : Memory Leak in Browsers

[MarkTheWindowsXPNeophyte]

I have a memory leak I think involves a browser or browser plugin. I know
I've seen it in IE , but possibly other browsers (firefox and chrome). I run
IE7 on Win XP Pro SP3, and am up to date on Microsoft Update. I use a Dell
laptop with a single-core celeron and 512 of physical ram.

What happens is my computer will start running extremely slow. I call up
task manager and see that my page file usage is 600+ MB. CPU, disk I/O, and
network usage are all normal. When I look at my processes via task manager,
the total memory usage of all the processes doesn't add up to anything close
to the page file. When I kill the offending browser process (iexplore.exe in
this example), which shows anywhere between 50-125 MB, I'll see the process
disappear and my PF Usage will drop hundreds of MB, back to a normal,
expected level.

Any ideas? Is there some tool that will show me where/how this memory is
really being used? I'm interested in how to troubleshoot problems like this,
as well as figuring this specific problem out.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Run Internet Explorer 7 in 'No Add-Ons' mode:

If you have Vista: Start > type Internet Explorer in the Start Search
box > click Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons)

If you have XP: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools >
Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons)

Alternatively, you can create a shortcut on your desktop with the
following target path:

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -extoff

If no problems occur in 'No Add-Ons' mode, the problem is caused by one
of the add-ons that load together with Internet Explorer 7.

Problems with Internet Explorer can also be caused by by malicious
software ('malware') that has been installed on your computer.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp

 

[Gerry]

Mark

How much RAM?

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

You should be able to gather more information from Task Manager. With
the Processes tab open select View, Select, Columns and check the boxes
before Peak Memory Usage and Virtual Memory size. What are the figures
for the 6 processes using the largest amounts?

Do you leave your computer on 24/7?


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Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
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