Memory leak?

Question

I recently purchased a Dell 8250 with Windows XP and 512 RDRAM. My problem is that after loading my home page a few times (4, 5, or 6), it refuses to load any more. I have to open an email and click on someone's URL before I can return to the Web. It starts this non-loading with the very top of the page rising like a ghost from the bottom of the screen (as if it were going to load), then evaporating into nothing as it reaches the top of the screen. My wonderful new machine displays all the symptoms of having run out of memory.

I upgraded from a 6 year old computer loaded with Windows 98 and 64MB of RAM. With a graphics program running, my old system still loaded my home page many more times than this. I got the 512 RDRAM specifically to avoid this problem. Any idea why this might be happening?

PS: I ported all my old settings, files, etc., from my old system using Intellimover. Is it possible an old setting was imported that limits my new RAM capacity?

I've tried all I know to do. Your help in this will be very much appreciated.

msgale · Answer

First use the task manager to determine how much memory you are actually using.

ke4wkp · Answer

I would check the event viewer to see if your system is reporting any errors. Start-->Run-->type eventvwr.msc-->Check system and applications.

Make sure your memory modules are seated properly. You may want to remove them and reseat them. Then run the Dell Diagnostics which you can find by clicking the downloads tab above. Make sure you are running all the latest drivers for your system which are also found under the downloads tab.

Dell Inspiron 8100 1000Mhz A14
512MB Ram Win XP Home SP1
Nvidia GeForce2 Go

"And then one day you find ten
years have got behind you. No
one told you when to run, you
missed the starting gun."

BarTalk · Answer

I checked the task manager as suggested in the first reply received, and am using between 200-350 MB of RAM. I seem to have access to the RAM my system is supposed to provide.

I checked the event viewer as you suggested in paragraph 1, and there were no errors reported that relate to this problem. I then removed the memory modules and reseated them as suggested.

I finally tried going to Dell Diagnostics and was unable to load it at all, even after a hard reboot. I also tried emailing this page to myself, and the result was the same for both efforts..."error on page".

I am deeply indebted for your efforts on my behalf so far, but I must ask for your further assistance as the problem remains unresolved. Thank you for your help.

msgale · Answer

I am fussy too.  I have never found it necessary to reinstall an OS to solve a problem.  In the worst case scenario, if I damaged the OS, i.e. destroyed the registry, I would restore from backup.  In the days of real computers, i.e large central sites with remote dump terminals, do you think that the OS was rebuilt and the applications reinstalled when something went wrong.  To answer my own question, 'NO'.

Tyreman · Answer

If it was me I would reinstall XP with a clean ntsf,wipe the old first, no imported settings many do not share this view but I am fussy and want it right.

BarTalk · Answer

Am still casting about for solutions that don't require reinstalling Windows XP. I do not have a backup, but have relied instead on SystemRestore. I've tried going back 1 week, but this didn't help. How far back would I need to go for this to be truly effective? Day One of receiving system and setup?

I have ordered Norton's SystemWorks 2003, which is due to arrive any day. Is there a diagnostics included in this package that is most likely to pinpoint my problem? Considering my limitations as listed, do you have any other proactive suggestions I could try?

Thank you (and to all) for trying to help.

jken_ · Answer

Same problem,

I have 2 brandnew Inspiron 8600's, one with an XP home edition and one with an XP professional edition.

They both have the same problem: when I open 50 direcory's and close them again, the next time i can only open 22. If I close them again, I can only open 7, when closing these i have to reboot.

The systems are brand new, with nothing installed except windows xp, as it is delivered from the dell store.

formatting your pc won't help,

can someone help me find the source of my problem,

i think it has something to do with a memory leak in the system recources.

Thanks.

Windows General

Memory leak?

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