How to Find a Virtual Memory Leak

Finding a virtual memory leak on a computer.

A virtual memory leak can cause havoc on your computer productivity as well as security. Anyone who has suffered such an ill fate understands how debilitating this can be. A memory leak occurs when memory is used but not then freed after use and thereby deemed unavailable to other computer programs. This then depletes available memory and can corrupt data, reducing computer performance and resulting in system malfunctions. Users typically initially notice applications running at significantly reduced speeds, leading them to close down all operations and reboot--at first, periodically, and eventually, regularly. This can go on for a long time until the application's virtual memory size exceeds its memory usage and the system simply runs out of memory and crashes.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-virus software program

Instructions

1. MSDN suggests you begin by checking your memory. Press "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" to bring up the task manager. Next, go to the Processes tab to determine which application is using the most space. This can be by size by simply selecting the sub tab "Memory Usage." Review the application/program to determine its necessity, and if deemed unnecessary, simply highlight and delete it.

2. Centralize the memory leak. Determine the percentage of committed bytes in use, the per process virtual bytes, the pool paged bytes and the pool nonpaged bytes. The total memory the process has allocated and which is not shared with other processes is known as private bytes. "Virtual bytes," on the other hand, refers to the current size of the space used by the virtual address used by the process. If you detect that you are running out of memory but don't see a memory in your private bytes, monitor virtual bytes. This will determine if you are using up virtual memory. Linux Journal recommends the use of memory leak detectors to locate the virtual leak Simple programs able to detect most errors include mtrace, memwatch and dmalloc, the former being the easiest.

3. Fix the memory leak. Programming that automatically scans for memory leaks is included in many operating systems, and anti-virus software programs are capable of identifying and destroying viruses that may be the culprit. Once you have identified and removed the source, your operating system will run much faster and with greater efficiency.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware of the allocated space on your system and how much you are using. Look for indicators like sluggish computer performance and unexplained application activities.

• Be aware that computer bugs can affect one application only or begin with one and then move on to another. Virtual memory leaks are difficult to detect for many reasons with few indicators.

References

• MSDN: How to Find a Memory Leak:
• Linux Journal: Memory Leak Detection in Embedded Systems

Resources

• Info Packets: Defrag RAM utility and Memory Leak?
• Demand Technology Software: How Do I Find a Memory Leak?