Windows Xp SP3 IE8 runaway memory leak uses up to 200MB

[Gerry-S]

HP A265c 512 MB

XP SP3 updated

IE8 memory usage gradually increases from 6000k to 200,000k. this is usually on one instance, but there can be three instances where one will be 200MB and the second 60MB and the third 26MB.

I had McAfee and it had runaway memory also. I removed McAfee, trien internet explorer and had same problem with high memory usage as shown in Task Manager. I installed Process Explorer and saw same events.

In addition, Svchost will go up to 60MB and back down,

I installed AVG suite 2011 Rel 10 and System prosess in Task Manager went up to 132MB. Whil all others are stable, IE8 continues to go up to 200MB.

I uninstalled IE8 and re-installed it. No change.

I 'reset' IE8 and left auto updates turned off. No change.

I verified all KB fixes were properly installed.

I tried all the internet hits on google and none show any solution. Those that I could I tried, to no effect.

I tried IE in Safe mode with Networking. Same problem.

I disabled all add-ons and removed all non-microsoft startup items.

I disabled all services not microsoft. no changes.

I do not know where to take this. MSDN and Technet were so complicated and related to programming and development, that I could not implement any fixes they had.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Gerry

[wb2001]

The actual problem your having with the HP a265c is overhead. You have the basic 512MB of memory installed on a system that demands shared memory to the graphic card,  and then demands memory for it's desktop icons, AVG real-time, and whatever else your running.

Here are your stats, and later you will find my recommendation.

HP a265c ( circa 28-May-03 ) with a Pentium 4 / 2.80 GHz 

Ram (installed)  512 MB (2 x 256), Maximum allowed 2 GB (4 x 512) requires replacement of the installed 256 MB DIMMS)

Speed supported PC2700 MB/sec, Type 184 pin, DDR SDRAM, DIMM slots Four, Open slots Two

Hard drive, 160 GB Ultra DMA, 7200 rpm

Video graphics nVidia Geforce4FX-5200 8x AGP card with shared memory uo to 128MB

Maximum Memory Supported 4GB (4 x 512MB) unbuffered (HP and Compaq recommend 2GB)

DDR SDRAM (Supports dual channel), memory should be pairs.

Product specs: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00026727&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_US...

Motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00022505&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us

The solution is to add more memory, at a nominal cost. HP recommends 2 GB max, the manufacturer says 4GB. I would be more included to add another (2) 512MB to the system. Cost only $50, and you will see a marked improvement. There are other things you can do, abeit temporary, such as clearing the cache file, history.

New memory: http://www.4allmemory.com/memory/compaq-hp-pavilion-a265c/

[Gerry-S]

Adding more memory does not address the problem. I was working fine with all application intact until IE8 decided to use up all the available memory - 200 to 250MB MB of real memory is NOT normal. I have turned off all startups, and removed all memory app I can and have 232 free memory. IT ALL GETS USED BY ONE APPLICATION.

It appears that an update from Microsoft was applied and then runaway memory started.

Adding more memory simply allows IE8 to get bigger than 250MB. All new memory would also be consumed.

Why was I working fine one day and then not the next? (Nothing new was added and no major changes were made except for auto updates from McAfee and Microsoft. )

I cannot see adding more memory only to give it to one application.

Let us address how to solve the IE8 problem, then address adding memory.