Windows 7: Win 7 RAM usage at 46% idle?

Hi
My Win 7 Acer RAM (3GB) is running at 46% idle? This seems to be alot?
Though it does not increase that much with windows open, even when I open WMP and play music it only goes up to 49-50%.
I use the gadget on screen and double check it with task manager, they are the same.
This is more than the previous Vista Basic machine, which I returned, it ran at 40%?
Is there a way to adjust or sort this?

Oh, this morning it went up 99% and I could not switch it off, I had to hold the button to switch off?

Any help.
Thanks.
Neil

Open Task Manager > Processes tab > click on "Memory". There you will see which processes eat your RAM - ordered by size. Maybe you have too many startup programs. Have a look in msconfig and disable those that you do not need (which are probably all). On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with the system using all the RAM. I assume it's all paid for - LOL.
But when you have excessive usage (like the 99%), you can also kill the culprit process in task manager. No need to shut off the whole system.

OK thanks, but not sure what should or should n ot be running?
As for the 99% I could not even open task manager!!

Hi here is a screen print??

1. when you have 99% usage, it will take a long time for the task manager to open. You'll have to be patient.
2. your screenshot looks generally ok (although there are some processes you can probably live without - check the startups) , but it does not show all the processes (you'll have to enlarge the window a little - pull it down). And click on (working set(memory)). Then it will show the big RAM eaters on top.

Hi
u
here is the second shot.

So is 50% average usage?

thanks again.

AVG...I bet it is AVG. Tho I could be wrong, however, a lt of people are having problems with AVG and this sort of thing.

Hi logicearth,

So you think its AVG?
But it does not show it is using much, but hey what do I know
Could you recommend something else? And is it free?

Thanks.

Mileage will vary, but I use Microsoft Security Essentials.
Amazingly Tiny, without the annoyingness, and free.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

I don't normally run an antivirus solution, but MSE was like made for me...*shrugs*

So,, should I change AVG for MSE? Will this cover all virus protection?
I have Malwarebytes installed, can I keep this with MSE?

Also I have the Firefox browser, it seems to be using loads of resources, so is there something lighter out there?
I am looking for a mail client as Win 7 does not have Windows Mail (Vista), only Windows LIVE Mail, I am used to Outlook Express, simple for me to use and I could save mails for multiple sendings, ie CV-job applications. Outlook does not allow for saving a mail for multiple sendings, only once.

I only had the Vista machine for a short time, returned it as it did not work correctly, now I have Win 7 I need to learn what magic it has.

Thanks..