Windows 7 Skyrocketed Ram Usage

[johnry718]

This whole incident started today.

Firstly, my computer's ram usage was perfectly fine (Less than 2GB Ram usage), I left my computer on for 3 hours, I came back and noticed that everything started to run really slow, I noticed that my ram usage skyrocketed to 5.8GB Ram usage. (My Computer has 6GB Ram)

I tried everything. Restart didn't help, virus scanning - no results, System Restore - Same problem.


I tried to run a Malware scan with Malwarebytes, but I can't seem to open it due to a message
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This whole situation is totally going out of control, I think that I have a virus on my computer.

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Also, around 20-30 minutes my Ram usage goes back to normal (766MB) Ram usage with 5118 MB Free Ram.
After I right click on my desktop and click on refresh, It instantly starts to skyrocket back to close to 5.8GB.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like your computer is experiencing a sudden spike in RAM usage, leading to performance issues. This could be due to various reasons, including malware, background processes, or faulty applications hogging memory. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue: 1. Task Manager Analysis: - When you notice the high RAM usage, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to identify which processes are consuming the most memory. This can help pinpoint the culprit. 2. Safe Mode Boot: - Restart your computer in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If the RAM usage remains high in Safe Mode, it's more likely a system issue than malware. 3. Update Drivers and Software: - Ensure that your system drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers, are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause memory leaks. 4. Disable Startup Programs: - Disable unnecessary startup programs that may be consuming memory when your computer boots up. You can manage startup programs in Task Manager or using tools like Autoruns. 5. Run System File Checker (SFC): - Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command: sfc /scannow. This will check and repair corrupted system files. 6. Check for Malware: - Since you suspect malware, try running a scan using Windows Defender or other reputable antivirus software. Make sure the antivirus definitions are up to date. 7. Check for Memory Leaks: - Some applications may have memory leaks causing excessive RAM consumption. Monitor the processes after a fresh boot to identify any memory leak behavior. 8. Check for Windows Updates: - Ensure your system is up to date with the latest Windows updates. Sometimes, Microsoft releases patches that address memory management issues. 9. Check Hardware: - If the issue persists, it might be worth checking your RAM modules for any issues. You can use tools like Memtest86 to test your RAM for errors. 10. System Restore: - If you haven't already, you can try performing a System Restore to a point before the issue started. By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the sudden increase in RAM usage on your computer. If the issue persists, further investigation may be necessary based on the findings from the steps above.