50% Memory usage while idle

zenai

Distinguished
Jan 4, 2008
25
0
18,530
As you can see by the title my PC is using 50% of my ram at all times I have 4gb total nothing out of the ordinary in the processes of the task manager the highest thing right now is Firefox with 130,000k and I have 4 tabs open have scanned with NOD32 and Spybot snd I've confirmed (or at least think i've confirmed) that it's not a memory leak because if I restart my PC as soon as I get into windows if I open the task manager its already using 2gb of ram.

System specs - Vista 64bit q6600 2.4ghz 4gb corsair ram

In the performance tab of the task manager I see 2.15 GB of memory being used and down at the bottom it says
"Physical Memory(MB)
Total : 4093
Cached : 2565
Free : varies between 0 - 40".

Here's my HJT I really don't know if it will help I'm just providing all of the information that I can think of if more is needed please post with what it is and I'll get back with it ASAP Thanks in advance.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 8:27:54 AM, on 9/26/2010
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18498)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\daemon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\NETGEAR\WN111v2\WN111v2.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Logishrd\LQCVFX\COCIManager.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\mIRC\mirc.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = actsvr.comcastonline.com:8100
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = cdn;*.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SorffWorldBHO - {0CAF0843-0F60-4E1A-9598-DE6E03E7AFAB} - C:\PROGRA~2\Sorff\Sorff\lib\SORFFW~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! IE Services Button - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: BTShellFolder Class - {7418E5F5-0E48-4144-8F92-5CA791C82396} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.6.5612.1312\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Ask Toolbar BHO - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: BTBho Class - {DE713078-8012-4B75-92BA-398D4642A64B} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SingleInstance Class - {FDAD4DA1-61A2-4FD8-9C17-86F7AC245081} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\YTSingleInstance.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCommunicationsManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechQuickCamRibbon] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\QuickCam\Quickcam.exe" /hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SBC_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files (x86)\AT&T\Self Support Tool\ATTTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogMeIn Hamachi Ui] "C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Hamachi\hamachi-2-ui.exe" --auto-start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [jswtrayutil] "C:\Program Files (x86)\NETGEAR\WN111v2\jswtrayutil.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] c:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NCsoft Launcher] C:\Program Files (x86)\NCsoft\Launcher\NCLauncher.exe /Minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Ares\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [igndlm.exe] C:\Program Files (x86)\Download Manager\dlm.exe /windowsstart /startifwork
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Pando Media Booster] C:\Program Files (x86)\Pando Networks\Media Booster\PMB.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim] "C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM\aim.exe" /d locale=en-US
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\daemon.exe" -autorun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Messenger (Yahoo!)] "C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe" -quiet
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: Free Music Zilla.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Free Music Zilla\FMZilla.exe
O4 - Global Startup: NETGEAR WN111v2 Smart Wizard.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\NETGEAR\WN111v2\WN111v2.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_89D8574934B26AC4.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {A573D71B-951B-4BAD-B8CC-708AE84769C9} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Absolute Poker - {1FBA04EE-3024-11d2-8F1F-0000F87ABD16} - C:\Users\Stefan\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Absolute Poker\Absolute Poker.lnk (HKCU)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Absolute Poker - {1FBA04EE-3024-11d2-8F1F-0000F87ABD16} - C:\Users\Stefan\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Absolute Poker\Absolute Poker.lnk (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (Installation Support) - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Common\Yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (CDownloadCtrl Object) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/cabs/FPDC_2.3.10.115.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\x86\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Zatisfi Search Assistant Service (GPSearchAssistant) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Zatisfi\Zatisfi Search Assistant\GPSearchGuard.exe
O23 - Service: Zatisfi Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Zatisfi LLC - C:\Program Files (x86)\Zatisfi\Update\ZatisfiUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1caa91dd6f093cc) (gupdate1caa91dd6f093cc) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: LogMeIn Hamachi 2.0 Tunneling Engine (Hamachi2Svc) - LogMeIn Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Hamachi\hamachi-2.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Jumpstart Wifi Protected Setup (jswpsapi) - Atheros Communications, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NETGEAR\WN111v2\jswpsapi.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: LVCOMSer - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVCOMSER\LVCSer64.exe
O23 - Service: Process Monitor (LVPrcS64) - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVMVFM\LVPrcSrv.exe
O23 - Service: LVSrvLauncher - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\SrvLnch\SrvLnch.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NMSAccess - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\CDBurnerXP\NMSAccessU.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: PacketTrap Networks - Perspective Agent (PacketTrapPerspectiveAgent) - PacketTrap Networks, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\PacketTrap Networks\Perspective\ptagentservice.exe
O23 - Service: PacketTrap Networks - Perspective Server (PacketTrapPerspectiveServer) - PacketTrap Networks, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\PacketTrap Networks\Perspective\ptserverservice.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: pt_vnc_service - UltraVNC - C:\Program Files (x86)\PacketTrap Networks\Perspective\RemoteControl\winvnc.exe
O23 - Service: Quick Macros (quickmacros2) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Quick Macros 2\qmserv.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: TeamViewer 5 (TeamViewer5) - TeamViewer GmbH - C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\Version5\TeamViewer_Service.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe

--
End of file - 13463 bytes
 
Solution
Well, the good news is you're not always using 50%! Looks like after a reboot you're sitting at 35%. Is that high? Well, depends what you're running. In your case, it doesn't look like it's higher than should be expected. Outside of system processes, your biggest chunk is being used by your anti-virus (and firewall?) software. "ekrn.exe" is part of NOD32. I could not find a lot of information about ptagentservice and ptserverservice but it is likely also used by NOD32 or some other antivirus/firewall/malware program you have running.

If you are experiencing problems as a result of the high RAM use, you're basically looking at disabling/removing some of this software.

Another option that might help - run MSConfig.exe, go to the...

zenai

Distinguished
Jan 4, 2008
25
0
18,530
Sorry to bump this but I seriously need some help. I've been working on trying to fix this for 8+ hours across a few days now and its really getting irritating having something suck up this much memory at all times with no rhyme or reason. I just need a second opinion on the matter even some long shot possibilities would help me I just need something new to try out and troubleshoot.
 

ekoostik

Distinguished
Sep 9, 2009
1,327
0
19,460
Reboot your computer. When you get back into it, do not start anything. Open Task Manager. Go to Processes and sort descending by Memory. Be sure to check the "Show processes from all users" box. Take a screenshot. Then go to the Performance tab. Take another screenshot. Post both screenshots.
 

zenai

Distinguished
Jan 4, 2008
25
0
18,530
Here ya go just tell me I'm a dumb ass and I just need to close some stuff. I'm going to be turbo pissed if that's true lol.

tomshardwareprocessesfi.jpg

tomshardwareperformance.jpg
 

ekoostik

Distinguished
Sep 9, 2009
1,327
0
19,460
Well, the good news is you're not always using 50%! Looks like after a reboot you're sitting at 35%. Is that high? Well, depends what you're running. In your case, it doesn't look like it's higher than should be expected. Outside of system processes, your biggest chunk is being used by your anti-virus (and firewall?) software. "ekrn.exe" is part of NOD32. I could not find a lot of information about ptagentservice and ptserverservice but it is likely also used by NOD32 or some other antivirus/firewall/malware program you have running.

If you are experiencing problems as a result of the high RAM use, you're basically looking at disabling/removing some of this software.

Another option that might help - run MSConfig.exe, go to the StartUp tab and review the items listed there that are started automatically everytime you boot up your machine. You may not be able to reclaim a lot of memory, but you might find a few things running on startup that are unnecessary. If you see something and you're not sure what it is just google it, most items will turn up at least some basic info.

Also, you can go to the following link and download AutoRuns, it's like msconfig but for power users: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
 
Solution
^+1 ; you've got "tons" of crap running in the background; KILL it via msconfig. Begin with Diagnostic plus add only Microsoft and go from there. Otherwise keep all that "stuff" running and add more RAM. Personally, I don't like seeing more that ~ 50-60 processes running. {Chrome is really bad thread/page}.
 

zenai

Distinguished
Jan 4, 2008
25
0
18,530
Alright thanks guys I'll just kill everything I can in msconfig and just live with 1gb idle


I'm down to 48 processes and I'm keeping NOD32 up and its just above 1gb hopefully this is correct and everything is working properly.