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Info: This bug was fixed on August 12th 2014 with the release of the month's Patch Tuesday. Make sure to install every update available for your system, if you're having the problem described on this thread.
Hello, I've been facing a "tough" problem with my computer running Windows 8.1 x64. I did not upgrade from Windows 8, I did a clean install and for the past month, everytime I play some of the new 2013 games (Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Battlefield 4, CoD:Ghosts etc.), I'm constantly getting a "low memory" warning from time to time.
So, giving that my laptop is capable of running these games (Asus N56VZ - Intel Core i7, Intel HD 4000 + Nvidia GT650 M, 6GB DDR3, 750GB 7200rpm, Full-HD 15,6" screen), I began searching for an answer. Here's what I've concluded:
When the game (eg: Battlefield 4) opens, the memory consumption begins to rise, and rise, and rise, non stop, until the system doesn't have more memory available and triggers the low memory warning. However, in the exact moment that I "alt+tab" out of game OR the memory warning does it for me, all of the occupied memory is emptied instantly, like magic!
I was able to "understand" this using Process Explorer by MS (sysinternals), heres a screenshot that shows the "climbing" and the sudden drops:
I cant really discover where all this memory is being allocated/used, and I have no idea on whats causing this. I also don't know if this is Windows-related, device-related or driver-related.
Is anyone facing this as well?
[UPDATE DECEMBER 9th] This issue is triggered when the resolution in which the games are being played differs from the resolution configured on Windows.
If you are playing a game, say, in 1366x768, you need to change the system resolution to the same 1366x768 BEFORE opening the game. That will stop the excessive memory consumption and you'll be able to play the game fine.
My system is in Portuguese, but I think it's easy to get it:
This also concludes that the issue is Windows-related and not driver related, so we'll have to wait for Microsoft to patch it. Meanwhile, remember to change your resolution when you're going to play.
[UPDATE APRIL 26th 2014]
According to some Intel folks at communities.intel.com (http://is.gd/71Vha2), Microsoft has confirmed the issue with Windows 8.1 in an internal email. It resides - as it was explained - on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) which triggers a memory leak when running fullscreen games with a resolution different than the desktop resolution.
The memory leak fills the system memory and page file with junk until there's no more memory available.
We assume Microsoft is already working on a fix for this, altough we never heard anything "official" from them regarding the issue.
[UPDATE AUGUST 14th 2014]
The problem has been finally fixed by Microsoft with the release of the August updates on Aug. 12th.
Make sure to install every single update available - including the optional ones - and you'll no longer receive low-memory warnings when running fullscreen games/apps with different resolution/refresh rate.
Also make sure you're using the latest drivers available for your Intel and/or Nvidia GPU (it might be important).
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I might be a bit cynical but I looked through all the support KB's from the updates today and couldn't find anything that related to fixing this issue (unless I'm missing something)...
Yesterday i have made the update and i found via the link also no description, but...
Yah!, after nearly 10 months, microsoft have now solved this bug.
With the latest patches (Patch Day 12.08.2014, also install the optional Updates),
all different resolutions and framerates works well.
Hi,
When you say “did a clean install”, how did you perform the clean installation of Windows 8.1 64bit? Did you use any recovery disc?
The issue could be related to the computer RAM or Video card Ram issue or due to any programs running at the background.
Let’s try the following steps and check.
You may check the Event viewer to see the recent event logs relating to the issue.
a. Press Windows Key + X on the desktop screen and select Event Viewer.
b. This will bring up the Event Viewer box. Click to open the event viewer.
c. In the left pane, expand out Windows Logs.
d. Click on Application log. Highlight the first event in the log and use your arrow keys to scroll down. Most of your event will be Information. You may see Yellow Warnings or Red Errors. If you see a red error, you can double click on it to bring it up and copy the contents to a document.
Method 1:
You may refer to the computer manufacturer website and try installing the Windows 8.1-x64 version of graphic card and chipset drivers and check.
You may also try running the Windows Updates and install all the available updates including the optional driver and firmware updates. Also check for the game updates.
Windows Update: Frequently Asked Questions
Method 2:
You may also perform a clean boot and check if it helps.
A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application services or startup item is causing this issue.
How to perform a clean boot in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
Note: After you have finished the troubleshooting, refer to the section “How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot” to boot the system in normal start up.
Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues. We will be happy to help.
Hello,
I performed the clean install using the dreamspark ISO images for Windows 8.1 (Pt-PT).
Did everything you suggested with no luck. I had tried to use the manufacturer drivers before but the problem persisted (I'm already running every driver available for my laptop with Windows 8.1). The event viewer box doesn't show anything yellow or red, the clean boot didn't change anything as well (disabled every service and startup programme).
What should I do next?
I have a very very similar issue but while running XBMC. I upgraded from a clean Windows 8 install (from retail packaging) to 8.1 through the store update. Everything else works fine.
This machine is a Dell Optiplex 7010 with Core i3 and 8GB of RAM. It serves as a home theater PC and XBMC is the primary use software. The system works great after reboot for hours. Then I put it to sleep when I am done watching movies/TV. The next day, after it resumes from sleep (with XBMC already running) it works fine for about 10-15 minutes and then gives the warning/error window that the system is low on virtual memory and I need to close XBMC and Explorer (windows explorer, not IE). Of course, at that point the full screen display of XBMC has been minimized and the memory is back down to about 12% used and if I dismiss the warning everything is fine. Then I put it to sleep and the next day when I use it, the same process repeats.
In the performance manager, I can see the virtual memory fill up while XBMC is running after resume from sleep. As soon as I alt-tab away from XBMC, the RAM is freed up again.
This problem never happened in the 10 months that I used the system before going to 8.1 so that is definitely the difference. I have updated both the Realtek HD audio drivers and the Intel HD Video drivers as recently as November 27th. No change in the problem. I have also experienced the problem while using MPC-HC media player but much less often as I usually use XBMC.
This appears to be somehow related to the accelerated video output (directX/openGL etc.)
I'm getting really annoyed by this, I cant find any clue on whats causing this! :x
