Vista - Memory Maxed Out During Software Installations

Hi,

I have a problem on my x64 Vista that I've had ever since I started using it. I was never able to find a solution for it even after googling the problem for months. First I will list my specs as I suspect that the problem might be hardware related.

EVGA 680i T1
C2Q Q6600 OC to 2.8 Ghz
4GB DDR2-6400 (with modified timings & speed obviously)
GeForce 8800 GTS (320MB)
~1.3 TB total storage

Anyway, the scenario is, whenever I install anything big (such as a recent game or a software suite), my available memory slowly decreases until I have about 20 MB left (96-98% utilization) out of my 4GB!!!. This results in my computer freezing up during any install that is larger than a 1 CD install. And when it does, I can't do anything on the computer...it took me 5 or so minutes to force close firefox with 3 tabs open just now because I was installing a game.

Needless to say it has been nothing buy annoying. Sure it's not critical, but it would be nice if I could get rid of this problem. I never had this problem on 32-bit Vista (with 2GB or RAM). Just a quick note that this problem also occurred when I installed XP x64 (that's why I think it could be incompatible hardware of some sort). I have also reverted to factory clock settings on CPU and RAM, but no luck, plus my OC is stable...my computer never crashes, not even when the memory was maxed out.

So, if anyone have an insight to this problem, or have seen it somewhere, or has a possible solution to this problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Tony

Have you installed all VISTA updates, even recommended ones?

Drivers are up to date?

Create a new folder on your pc and see if you can copy all files from
installation dvd to it--if you can, run install from there (could be a
faulty dvd drive). Does the problem persist?

What version of Vista (any RC service packs?)



"anthoj" <anthoj.34zxh2@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:anthoj.34zxh2@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net...

Thanks for replying gerryf. Yes, all updates are installed, drivers are up to date, even firmwares on all my devices are up to date. Like I said, this problem also occurred to me (on the same system) on WinXP x64, but never on 32-bit OS.

And I have tried using a disc, or an iso image using three different virtual drive software. (PowerISO, Alcohol 120%, Daemon Tools), and they all produces the same problem.

I also forgot to mention that, by the end of a few days of up time on my PC, I'd slowly lose RAM as well. For example, at this time my up time is about 48 hours or so, and with only Outlook 2007 and 2 Firefox windows open, I am "using" 72% of my 4 GB, leaving me with a little over 1 GB left.

I suppose it could be the programs I'm running. The programs that are always running in the background is Win Sidebar (clock, 4 weather, Everest Panel), Everest Ultimate Edition, Kaspersky Internet Security 7, Daemon Tools, and PowerISO. And keep in mind that if I close out of everything I can close out of, the memory will stay the same, if not just a little bit less usage.

So, if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to give suggestions.

Thanks again,

Tony

So I installed SP1 updates today...still no luck...same problem trying to install Crysis right now...100% Memory Utilization, with less than 9 MB left remaining out of my 4GB. Help! Anyone?

Hey Anthoj,

are you trying to copy to any other drive other than C: ? are you certain
that it is NTFS format and not FAT32? i have come across similar issues in
the 32bit version before i noticed i hadn't converted my second drive
--
Gamer extraordiaire


"anthoj" wrote:

"Kaindog" <Kaindog@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:15339EC3-997A-4E3F-ADB1-DC1D113480E3@xxxxxx
Not sure if I could dig it out here, but did you mention how big your C: and
D: partitions are? Looks like your C: may need to be larger.

--
BobF.

Thanks for the help guys. I figured out what the problem is, or at least the main problem. I'm still having leaks I think, coz at the end of the day, my memory doesn't go back down to 30%, which is what it should be at on idle. (I'm currently at 50% with the following open: Firefox, Live Messenger, WinRAR, a couple of explorer windows.

Anyway, the problem was PowerISO virtual drive emulator. I use a lot of iso images to install my files instead of discs. Using Daemon tools instead solved the main issue, tho I still suspect there's still something else going on.

And to answer the questions, I have 3 physical hard drives, no partitions, C: is at 320 GB, D: at 250, and E: at 750 and they are all NTFS drives. I don't use FAT32 formats other than if it's a thumb drive (can't do NTFS on those).

Anyway, thanks again. I guess for the most of it this issue was resolved

anthoj