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Windows XP memory odd - Virus?

BrainDanceR

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 18, 2004
Messages
109
Hi,

My OS(Windows XP) has been acting funny lately. I have done a full AV scan with NAV and run Spybot search & destroy, neither found anything unusual.

However when I use internet explorer, after a few minutes of surfing the memory use goes as high as 70000K. I am thinking this is not right. Also other processes seem to be effected, and my PF usage seems to go above 200M easily, even if I am doing little more than surfing.

Also(on rarer occasions, normally when surfing for a long period), I get a black screen, and I can`t do anything other than reboot.

All seems a bit suspious...

Here is a picture of my processes:


Any ideas anyone?
 
First problem is your running NAV, that is one of the most bloated AV software you can buy. Uninstall it and see if you have the same problem. NAV causes more trouble then its worth. I have seen systems where it takes down an entire business network and as soon as its uninstalled the network works.

Install something like AVG or NOD32 in its place and run that.

It also could be a hardware problem so check out memtest and your hd manufacturers test program.
 
At the very least...run some free online scans to get second opinions.
www.trendmicro.com (Housecall..it's free)
www.kapersky.com

Yeah the online scans can take a while...but at least you get a few more opinions..to see if Symantec missed anything (which it's certainly quite capable of doing)

Is Spybot S&D the latest version, updated and immunized?
Also Microsoft Antispyware
Run CCleaner
Adaware

Do you have all your windows updates?
 
I think your IE & PF amounts arn't really a good sign if you have a virus or other unwanted program around. For example, hitting the last page of the wallpaper thread in the [H]Anime section sends my IE mem usage to about 210MB. Also, a 200MB+ PF is typical for a machine with an average amount of services and programs running (IMO). Even still.. do what YeOldeStonecat suggested.

Now if this was a fresh install with nothing running and you're surfing text only websites, then you should possibly be worried. :D

Not too sure about how to investigate the blank screen though. Check in the event viewer and see if you lucked out and logged an error at the time you got the blank screen.
 
Thanks for the tips guys, I`ll give those sites a whirl.

I have a feeling a windows reinstall might be in order...argh. :)
 
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