Strange Windows 7 memory problem

[Brian De B]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry, but a new problem has arisen. We now cannot get ADSL sync over the line although our telephones are working. You know what it's like trying to get repairmen over Easter so we have to wait on the phone comapny, which looks like it may be ten days or more. So, for the time being, we have no internet connection at all (I'm writing this from the next-door neighbour's machine).

When we have connection again, I'll continue with this if that's okay? In the meantime, thank you to all who responded and for all your great suggestions. It's appreciated.

Brian

[joopd]

I have been having a strange memory problem with Windows 7 ever since I installed (and re-installed) it.

Whenever I use a download manager - such as MiPony, Free Download Manager, Internet Download manager - the RAM/virtual memory seems very quickly to max out until the download manager (it's the same with all of them) stops working and reports "lack of system resources, unable to continue" type messages and then the whole system just stops working: i.e. unable to launch any application from the Taskbar or the Start Menu, including Task Manager.

Strangely, the Desktop is still available -but no application can be launched from it. Any application which was already launched will continue to work so long as no open/save dialog needs to be launched, except, as said, the downloader.

The only way to get memory back and start working again is to hard reboot the PC - that is, by turning off the power, since the Start Menu, Task Manager, or Desktop shutdown shortcuts cannot be accessed.

Note that this problem happens only with the download managers mentioned and only when multiple downloads are queued and running. All other working scenarios and applications never cause this problem.

I have investigated startups and running processes using fairly sophisticated analysers and I cannot find what it is that is draining the resources. It's as though virtual memory and/or the page file is not working - i.e. nothing being swapped out or in as resources are need by the downloader - but that can't happen in Windows 7, can it? There is no obvious cause and my system is clean of malware. I have done and examined Hijack This logs and found nothing untoward.

I should add that this problem occurs even if the download manager is the only process running other than the normal system tasks and processes. I have shut down every other running process and service that was safe to do so and still the problem occurs.

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit on a 500GB hard drive with 2GB RAM. Because of my BIOS setup, I am unable to use more RAM. My security is ESET Smart Security running constantly and Malwarebytes Antimalware for backup, on demand. My internet connection is Hi-speed ADSL2+ through a modem and a LAN switch.

I hope someone has some advice on where to start looking for the problem, and how to fix it.

Brian

Hi Brian,

I think have a similar problem. Running Compaq Desktop Presario Windows7 Home Premium X64 4MB. I also cannot find the problem. I run Free Download Manager. Normal pattern is that after half a day running ´physical memory´ reaches 99%. I cannot reset but to reboot. System is up-to-date. Running AVG, no malware etc. By killing off processes does not reduce RAM.

joopd

[JoeP517]

Hi Brian,

I think have a similar problem. Running Compaq Desktop Presario Windows7 Home Premium X64 4MB. I also cannot find the problem. I run Free Download Manager. Normal pattern is that after half a day running ´physical memory´ reaches 99%. I cannot reset but to reboot. System is up-to-date. Running AVG, no malware etc. By killing off processes does not reduce RAM.

You've got a memory leak in some program. Probably a third party program. If you use IE it could also be an IE addon.

Joe

[jcline1949]

Brian - we found a similar problem with our Dell E series notebooks. After many discussions with Dell support, found a certain process associated with the Dell Wireless utility to be the problem. Here was our answer to find the process and to correct problem. Note: disabling did not disable use of wireless:
1. To know if the utility will cause a problem, open Task manager and select the Processes tab.
2. On the Menu, choose View/Select Columns to add two more columns to the view.
a. Select the Memory/Commit Size and Handles selections
3. Next, click on the Handles column heading to sort by Handles
4. At bottom left, choose Show processes from all users.

5. A file called BCMWLTRY.EXE will gradually increase by 10’s and eventually appear at the top of the Handles list, if it is in a “run-away” situation.
6. To stop this from happening, open Administrative Tools/Services from Control Panel.
7. Find the DW WLAN TRAY SERVICE and disable it.
8. Reboot the computer. Recheck the processes tab in Task Manager. The BCMWLTRY.EXE file should not be listed.