Windows XP: Ram not freeing up

[KunalBhatia]

Hii,

My Windows XP laptop goes unusually slow after when I open any program (say Internet Explorer) on it after startup.
I suspected I am having a heavy startup so I observed my task manager stats.

1. On startup and stabilizing , my RAM usage is normal and it shows I have enough free memory.
2. If I start any program and use it for a minute, the problem starts.
3. On observing task manager again, I found that my free RAM has dropped very low, used RAM is also low, but the Pageing size has increased a lot.

I have checked, my total RAM size is correct as per my specs on startup.

So plz somebody helpout, why does my RAM does not get freed up even if I close any software. and Why My PAge Size is increasing terribly ( I doubt this is the culprit).

Also, Do I need to replace my RAM chips now??

My Specs:
300 GB HDD, 700 MB Ram, Win XP SP2

[PsychicTide]

May want to look into using Memtest 86+. It will test your RAM to make sure it can handle what it's supposed to.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso (haven't tried this download location yet)

[PsychicTide]

On a side note, remember, the first line of defense is always software before hardware... make sure to clean your system properly... different programs search for different things and some are better than others... I suggest Spybot: Search & destroy and Malwarebytes.

[KunalBhatia]

Thanks for ur replies..
will check for spyware and malware first and then will revert you..

[skilly]

you need a new computer....
respond if you have more questions, such as 'why?'

i can tell you how to make your computer more efficient.
you should have at least 2GB of RAM to compete in today's society.....
but i can still help...700MB is operable....but you won't have any fun

[KunalBhatia]

you need a new computer....
respond if you have more questions, such as 'why?'

i can tell you how to make your computer more efficient.
you should have at least 2GB of RAM to compete in today's society.....
but i can still help...700MB is operable....but you won't have any fun

My system was fine one week back.. I was enjoyin workin on it....
The problem has started recently, My RAM is nt freeing up, System starts and remains at 100% CPU usage and 90% RAM usage

[caperjack]

My system was fine one week back..

then its almost like caused by a virus ,maybe .
check the readme's in the virus section of daniweb
http://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-software/microsoft-windows/viruses-spyware-and-other-nasties/64

[skilly]

another thing you can check, type 'msconfig' into the run...line(from start button)
check the services tab and startup tab to view &disable programs

you should update to sp3, and get the latest security updates