Physical Memory running absurdly high. How can I fix or clean up?

[Gabbard]

After a clean install, when I first turn on my computer my physical memory is running at 50%+ and I always have 80+ processes. When I play games, such as World of Warcraft, physical memory goes to 80% or more. I've had this laptop for years, and this problem has only started recently. See attached photos, and please let me know if I need to add anything. Appreciate the help

Note: When I have no programs running and try to restart or shut down the computer, it prompts me to wait for programs to close, etc. Malwarebytes shows no malware.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Run msconfig.

Services tab: how many non-Microsoft services running? I've got 8.

Startup tab: how many items checked? I've got 9. Windows will run fine with none checked.

 

[Gabbard]

21 services: AMD, apple, intel, mcafee, malwarebytes, and 23 startup. Can i uncheck all the startup?

 

[Computer0304]

If you use Malwarebytes Premium, you should leave it as an startup program so the real time protection can work. Also, is the version of McAfee you have paid or free? If you bought the paid version you should keep it on startup if you want the real time protection for it too. What exactly are the Apple, AMD, and Intel services?

 

[Gabbard]

McAfee and Malwarebytes are both paid programs, which i use every few days.The AMD is referenced to HD audio, Apple is for bonjour maybe?, there is an oasis2service or something that is unknown and I have no idea what it was. For more in depth info I will have to wait until after work to check it out. I will take SS of everything is check and if you have the time could you help me weed out the junk? Love the fast and helpful advice on this forum so far. Thanks a bunch!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You could do this:

Uncheck everything except anti-virus and Malwarebytes in msconfig startup tab. See if that has a negative or positive impact. If you later have problems, you can always go back and recheck items.

Stop all non-Microsoft services and see if the world remains on its axis and you can do what you need to do when you want to do it with your PC. If you can't, go back and restart some of the services you stopped.

But I'd immediately see if making these changes helps. Maybe it won't.

Your pictures show that you have almost 2 GB of available RAM, so it's not like you are running low.

McAfee isn't the sharpest tool in the drawer for anti-virus and can be difficult to tame or eliminate entirely. If nothing else, I'd look to replace it.

You show 96 processes. I have 55 right now.

 

[Gabbard]

Yea it's at 40% when I do nothing. If I open a game it shoots to 78% + that's the killer

 

[Gabbard]

What is the best antivirus malware safety net program available?

 

[Computer0304]

There are a few AVs we on SF recommend. Some of us recommend AVAST, some recommend Panda, and others recommend MSE. AVAST is one of the most used AV on the forum. But it is your choice though. You should keep MBAM no matter what AV you get though as MBAM works well with almost any AV.

 

[ShoTTaS]

since you made a clean installation, you can try re-seating your RAM physically, erase the copper part using a pencil eraser until it shines (p.s be gentle on doing that). This works every time for me.

 

[Computer0304]

since you made a clean installation, you can try re-seating your RAM physically, erase the copper part using a pencil eraser until it shines (p.s be gentle on doing that). This works every time for me.

I don't think the OP needs RAM re-seating as the problem is not about the RAM not working, it is about the large amounts of RAM being used by programs. But I guess it can be helpful when nothing else seems to work. Just not yet though.

 

[Gabbard]

I unchecked all that stuff and now its running at 50% max. FPS also went from 13 to 35+
Thanks for the help!

Side note: Geek squad said it was a hard drive error

 

[Computer0304]

Geek Squad isn't the most trustworthy PC repair service though, and this would have nothing to do with your hard drive as it is just RAM being used a lot. Well good thing that your problem has been solved.

Edit: Did you uncheck services or programs or both? If any problems with a particular program ever occur, try rechecking any services associated with them. And also disabling auto-startup of any program should not make it run incorrectly.