Very unusual RAM problem


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    Very unusual RAM problem


    Hello folks, I'm having a minor issue here.
    I'm running Windows 10, and ever since I've been running it I've encountered this in Task Manager.
    Now I noticed it says compressed, but I'm still unsure on wether or not my system is actually functioning properly.



    I'm running absolutely nothing at all yet I still see all of that ram being In Use. Is this normal? I'm in doubt because of the compressed thing.

    Update.
    I heard people mentioning drivers a couple of times. The guy in the link I posted in the comments mentioned it only happens when he downloads something. I seem to have that in common with him after testing. What I don't have in common with him is that he says his drivers are up to date, whereas mine (according to Driver Booster) were very old, including my network adapter driver, which seems to be connected to it only happening when downloading.

    Update.
    I updated my drivers including the network adapter one, started a download and it doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. If the problem doesn't come up for the next couple of days, I'll set the topic to fixed. :)

    Final update.
    I fixed it! It was definately the driver. As soon as it updated, the issue stopped coming back even when downloading.
    Last edited by AnOKSparrow; 10 Nov 2016 at 21:21.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    The problem is the Non-paged pool memory. Usually this is caused by a driver problem, possibly malware. It has nothing to do with compressed memory.

    Sorry, can't help further with that.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10 1607
       #3

    !) Try the memory diagnostics tool under administrative tools. 2) Let windows manage your page file. 30) Run a virus scan and update drivers
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #4

    Compressed is not an issue, it's total memory in use that's a problem. There's no way if absolutely nothing (special) is running, so much would be used. There must be a memory leak somewhere or something is running in the background and you can't see it.
    What does it show in Processes ?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Risk said:
    !) Try the memory diagnostics tool under administrative tools. 2) Let windows manage your page file. 30) Run a virus scan and update drivers
    Virus scan and anti malware bytes in safe mode resulted in absolutely nothing. Will update on what happens when I run Memory Diagnostics tool.
    CountMike said:
    Compressed is not an issue, it's total memory in use that's a problem. There's no way if absolutely nothing (special) is running, so much would be used. There must be a memory leak somewhere or something is running in the background and you can't see it.
    What does it show in Processes ?
    It showed nothing unusual. MSINFO32 showed that I had 8gb installed, and 201 available aswell.
    Processes showed nothing but the standard programs. Virus scan, windows startup stuff. The total amount of all the processes didnīt even come close to 7.6gb. Not even 1 when I add everything up.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    The total amount of all the processes didnīt even come close to 7.6gb. Not even 1 when I add everything up.
    There are users of memory that are not processes. At times they may become VERY significant. In particular these are the file cache, resident portion of the Paged pool, and the Non paged pool. Task Manager clearly shows that in this case the cause is the Non paged pool which at 6.5 GB is more than 80% of RAM. Typically it would be less than the Paged pool. This usage is very real and is in fact far more serious than just about any other memory usage. Most other memory can be paged out at the discretion of the memory manager. Not so for the Non paged pool. Every byte of this must remain in RAM at all times, even in the event of the most severe memory pressure. This what the term Non paged means.

    Typically the cause would be a driver problem.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #7

    You really need to be looking at the running processes. This is where SysInternals Process Explorer comes in handy. Looking at the nice colorful graphic for the RAM does nothing.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 414
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    Switch to "Details" tab, enable "NP pool" column and see which processes have the highest "NP pool" values.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    AndreyT said:
    Switch to "Details" tab, enable "NP pool" column and see which processes have the highest "NP pool" values.
    Very unusual RAM problem-capture.jpg
    Very unusual RAM problem-capture2.jpgVery unusual RAM problem-capture2.jpg

    Update.
    SOLVED Physical Memory at 97% - Huge Non Paged Pool! [Solved] - Performance - Windows 8 seems to be similiar. Gonna check out that particular solution if updating drivers doesn't work.

    Using Driver Booster (was recommended by some other sites) to check outdated drivers because that also seems very likeable.

    Update.
    I heard people mentioning drivers a couple of times. The guy in the link I posted in the previous update mentioned it only happens when he downloads something. I seem to have that in common with him after testing. What I don't have in common with him is that he says his drivers are up to date, whereas mine (according to Driver Booster) was very old. I updated it just now, and am about to throw on uTorrent to test it.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #10

    You need to sort the CPU % to highest number at the top. The Memory also needs to be sorted with highest RAM used at the top. You are best to be using Systernals Process Explorer from Microsoft.com to find out what Sub-Process is sucking CPU and RAM.

    Windows 8.x was bad on RAM use. Windows 10 was a lot better when it came out as a RTM. Since they have pushed out the AU, it has made a mess out of the OS and now Windows 7 is actually becoming the better OS.

    When you are looking at the RAM use and CPU, you need to not be running any programs like torrents or even downloading stuff from something called Driver Booster, which can actually plant malware disguised as a legal process on your system.

    Get Process Explorer and reboot Windows with no extra programs running, by following the info at How to Make Your Windows 10 PC Boot Faster How to read and understand Task Manager How to use Task Manager to optimize your Windows 10 experience | Windows Central

    When you get a base of 10 with minimal startup options and programs not running in the background, then you boot normal and using Process Explorer, start pinning down the stuff that is causing Memory Leaks or are just pure RAM hogs. Depending on how much RAM your Motherboard can take and running x64 of Windows 10. It would not be a waste to put in some more. I found out that my wife's laptop runs better with 12GB in it, then it did with 8GB. Also it allows you to adjust the Page file better and also tweak out Super and Pre-Fetch if you are not using a Hybrid or SSD.
      My Computer


 

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