Windows 7 Insufficient memery error

[Billnm]

Over the past few months I have been getting random “insufficient memory” errors when I run a variety of programs. When the program allows a retry (as, for example, when copying files from one location to another) the retry always works OK. Occurs even with a clean rebuild of Windows 7 and hardly any applications installed. CPU Usage gadget shows plenty of memory still free (in excess of 1 Gb usually) when these errors occur, so it is clearly a memory allocation error, not insufficient RAM. Can occur even when only one application is running. Occurs over many different applications. Seems to get slowly worse (more frequent) the longer the system has been up from the last restart.

Swap file is set to system managed, with 58Gb free on the swap disk, so we aren’t running out of virtual memory.

Scan of computer with both Malwarebyte’s Anti-Malware (with latest database) and Microsoft Security Essentials finds no viruses, etc.

“You may receive an "Out of Memory" error message because of the desktop heap limitation in Windows Vista or in Windows 7”, Article ID: 947246 in MS support recommends running MicrosoftFixit50496 to adjust heap sizes. Did so, but it didn’t fix the problem.

I find nothing else in the various forums that seems to deal with this issue.

System specs:

• ASUS P8Z68-V PRO motherboard
• i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz
• Corsair CMX4GX3M2A1600C8 x 2 memory (4 Gb total)
• Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1, all updates to 6/29/2012 applied

All stand-alone burn in hardware and memory tests run without error, including

• PassMark Burnin Test Pro v. 6.0.1029
• Memtest86
• Prime95 stress test
• Windows 7 memory test

sfc /scannow reports no integrity problems

Any ideas about what might be causing this?

 

[ChatGPT]

The issue you're facing with random "insufficient memory" errors despite having sufficient memory available can be quite perplexing. Let's break down the possible causes and solutions based on the information you provided:

Possible Causes:​

1. Desktop Heap Limitation in Windows 7:
   • As you mentioned, there is a known limitation related to the desktop heap in Windows 7 that could lead to out of memory errors. This issue can sometimes be resolved by adjusting the desktop heap settings.
   []Memory Allocation Issues:
   • Memory allocation errors can occur due to various factors, including driver issues, software conflicts, or system configuration problems.
   []Virtual Memory Configuration:
   • Despite having the swap file set to system managed mode with enough space, there could still be virtual memory management issues causing these errors.
   []System Stability:
   • The gradual worsening of the issue over time might indicate a systemic problem that could be related to system stability.

     Potential Solutions:​

   []Desktop Heap Adjustment:
   • Although running MicrosoftFixit50496 didn't resolve the problem, you might want to manually adjust the desktop heap settings as a further troubleshooting step.
   []Driver Updates:
   • Ensure all your drivers, especially for your motherboard and other critical components, are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause memory-related issues.
   []System Stability Checks:
   • Run additional system stability tests like checking the Event Viewer for any recurring error messages or running diagnostic tools to pinpoint potential issues.
   []Application Compatibility:
   • Check for any specific applications that trigger the memory errors more frequently. This could provide clues to which software might be causing the problem.
   []Windows Updates:
   • Confirm that all Windows updates are installed, as some updates can address memory management issues and system stability.
   []Third-Party Software:
   • Any third-party utilities or software tools that are running in the background could also contribute to memory issues. Consider disabling non-essential software to isolate the problem.
   []System Environment:
   • Factors like heat buildup or improper ventilation can impact system stability. Ensure that your system is adequately cooled to prevent hardware-related errors. Given the comprehensive hardware and memory tests you've already conducted, the issue might lie in the software or configuration side. By systematically checking these areas and potentially performing the suggested solutions, you may be able to pinpoint and resolve the root cause of the "insufficient memory" errors.