How do you stop memory leaks?

[Solidus]

This always happens. I have about 10 windows open, switching between them for a while, and then a decide to concentrate on 1, so i close the rest. 5-10 minutes later, my computer is going slower than with all those programs and windows open. Is this due to memory leaking? i'm not familiar with the concept, but it sounds like it. Is there any way to optimize my system to prevent this? Any programs i can download?

[NDC]

I'm assuming that you are using Win9X or ME. Unlike NT4 and Win2K, resources continue to drop after repeatedly starting and shutting down applications on Win9x and ME. There really isn't much that you can do about it with Windows itself. You will need to install a 3rd party software that will recover your memory. You can use Mem Turbo, RAM Booster, etc. to free up your memory to avoid rebooting to regain memory resource.

Look here to find out more and download the free version. By the way, the free version works perfectly! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/1,10150,0-10001-103-0-1-7,00.html?tag=st%2Edl%2E10001%2Esbsr&qt=RAM+Booster&cn=&ca=10001

[BFlurie]

http://www.winmag.com/columns/explorer/2000/11.htm

[Peter558]

I had (still have actually) the same problem, after a while it gets so bad that my system resources drop right down to less than 1%, and then my computer goes all screwy. I've downloaded the mem things, but nothing has actually managed to restore the lost resources.

[Wiruz]

Rambooster seems to work for me, after fiddling a bit with the settings.

set the target memory to your total memory, and then optimize - takes a little time, but it freed almost 100 mb for me - Edit: oops - 144 mb!

~Wiruz

[This message has been edited by Wiruz (edited 10-07-2000).]

[NDC]

I had (still have actually) the same problem, after a while it gets so bad that my system resources drop right down to less than 1%, and then my computer goes all screwy. I've downloaded the mem things, but nothing has actually managed to restore the lost resources.

How much memory do you have? And what is your OS? If you have less than 64mb RAM and you are using Win98 or Win ME, you won't be able to maintain the memory resource level. This is due to the fact that the OS also needs to use the memory resource for its system files. You will notice that just opening control panel or explorer takes a couple seconds to open up after regaining the resource through RAM Booster, MEM Turbo, etc. But once it has been opened, reopening is much quicker than the first time after resource had been gained. This is due to that fact that memory resource has been used up again immediately by windows after that program was executed. Windows tries load as much of the system files as possible for optimal OS speed.

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 10-07-2000).]

[BFlurie]

Gene, you're right. The link I posted above explains it. You can have a Gig of free memory & still be running out of resources on W9X/ME. However, as the article(s) explain, there are methods to combat it.

[jayzad]

Here is the link and or read this cut and paste.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question466.htm

In many cases, an "out of memory" message is misleading, since your whole system really did not run out of memory. Instead, certain areas of memory (Microsoft calls "heaps") used by Windows have run low on space.
Windows maintains an area of memory for operating system resources. The maximum size of this area is 128K, in two 64K areas. Windows 95/98 uses this area of memory to store fonts, bitmaps, drop-down menu lists and other on-screen information used by each application.

When any program begins running, it uses up some space in the "system resources" area in memory. But, as you exit, some programs do not give back system resources they were temporarily using. Eventually the system will crash as it runs out of memory. The crash happens sometimes if you start and close many programs, even the same ones, without a periodic reboot. This is what Microsoft calls a resource leak or memory leak.

When you tell your system to exit a program, the program is supposed to give back the resources (memory) it was using. But, because programs are written by humans, mistakes can happen and the program may not give back all to the operating system. This failing to "give back" is the "memory leak," eventually leading to a message that your computer is low on resources. Memory leaks can also be caused by programs that automatically load every time you boot your Windows system. In Windows 95/98 you can see the list of active programs via the usual Ctrl-Alt-Del sequence. The Windows Startup folder contains programs that launch every time your system boots. In Windows 98, set the folder contents with MSCONFIG. In Windows 95, click the right mouse button on the Task Bar, click Properties, click Start Menu Programs, click Advanced and look for the Startup folder in the left pane.

The system resources problem is something you might have to live with until the misbehaving application is found. If you are sure a certain application is causing the problem, be sure to contact the software vendor.

You can keep track of your system resources via the handy tool at Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Resource Meter. If you do not have a copy, you can download it at UtilMind Solutions. The resource meter adds the "fuel gauge" to your Windows task bar, to help you keep track of your system's resources. As the bar graph gauge turns from green to yellow, then the dreaded red, you know you have a problem! But you need to remember that the resource meter also consumes what you are trying to conserve: system resources.

The best preventive maintenance is to periodically reboot your Windows system.

No conspiracy, no need to buy memory, unless you only have 4M of RAM. Buying memory does not fix the "system resources" problem, because its size is fixed at 128K, no matter how much physical memory is installed.



[This message has been edited by jayzad (edited 10-07-2000).]

[GenePG]

I thought I learned here mem and resources are apples and oranges. Am I wrong? I've run MemTurbo w/ no effect on resources.

[Barney]

I use rambooster as well.It really gives you some xtra performance (even in games!).I've used memturbo too,but wasn't as good as RamBooster.It's also really important how you configurate this program.

Ronald