Question about AOL software continually increasing memory usage

[LBrandt]

Hello,

I'm an AOL user (yes, I have broadband, and yes, I know that sometimes AOL is the brunt of jokes), but my question is serious, so I hope that someone can help me with it.

I'm running Windows XP Home, with AOL 9.0. I've got tons of hard drive space, and I've defragged, etc., and as far as I can tell, I have no viruses.

My problem is this: Whenever I start AOL, it typically is running is about 27 meg or so (I check it with TaskManager), but without me doing anything (I can walk away from the computer and not touch anything), it constantly increases memory usage. After a while, it's using over 100 meg or more.
My internal fan starts running faster, and after a while AOL is using so much memory that I typically have to restart it.

This shouldn't be happening, should it? Can anyone explain what might be going on or what I can do to correct this?

I hope that you're not going to suggest that I call AOL, because they typically know nothing.

Thanks,
Louis

 

[johnb35]

How much memory is installed in the system? Have you tried uninstalling AOL and reinstalling?

 

[LBrandt]

I have about 512 meg installed. It doesn't help to reinstall AOL. It just continues to increase memory.

 

[johnb35]

You barely have enough memory to run windows without adding AOL to the system. I would highly recommend to upgrade the memory to 2gb if you can, not sure how old your motherboard is.

 

[LBrandt]

Windows XP runs fine on this computer. My only concern is to try to understand why AOL loads in about 25 meg, then continues to eat up memory as it runs, without my doing anything to it or even touching the keyboard or mouse. Your suggestion that I add memory may be a good one, but it doesn't answer my question.