Firefox memory usage issue - continued

[evilfantasy]

Session Restore probably does have a lot to do with it.

[Broni]

Firefox.exe always open
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox.exe_always_open
 

Legitimate explanations for the symptoms

There may be rational explanations for some of these issues, so it's best to rule them out before getting unnecessarily worried that your system has been maliciously attacked. Often - especially on a shared computer - a user may be unaware of (or have forgotten about) a manual change to the configuration which might explain the problem(s). Note: the following list may not cover all possibilities, so use discretion.

    * You exited Firefox but, due to a glitch, the firefox.exe process did not close. (However, once manually killed, it should never restart & reappear by itself.) Read Firefox hangs - Hang at exit for common causes and solutions.

    This may be due to problematic extensions, plugins, or Internet security software installed on your computer.
    This may be due to a corrupted Profile - follow the *Standard diagnostic - Firefox for troubleshooting procedures.
    Your Firefox profile may be "in use" (locked). See the article Profile in use for steps to resolve.

    * Firefox has been manually added to the Windows Startup folder. (Start Button -> All Programs -> Startup)
    * Firefox has been manually added to the msconfig start up via the Windows System Configuration utility. (Start Button -> Run, type 'msconfig', click OK, and then look through the Items in the Startup tab)
    * Another instance of Firefox is running, either as a result of using a 3rd-party utility, the -no-remote command line option or the SET MOZ_NO_REMOTE system environment call.
    * The Firefox Preloader utility has been installed and due to a Bug, the firefox.exe process continues in the background after unloading.
    * Due to a bug or extension issue, the main Firefox window may close normally, but child windows (Download Manager, Addons, Help Contents, etc) that were open remain open yet hidden (by another open Task window) - and are nowhere to be found on the Task Bar.

    .. Try hitting the Show Desktop icon in the Quick Launch bar to check to see if they were hidden, and also double-check multiple Windows Explorer items on the Task Bar as sometimes Firefox inexplicably finds itself there. An "End Task" in Task Manager should kill the process.

    * There is a legitimate request on Port 3460 (unlikely, but possible), or whichever Port the trojan-maker decided to use.
    * Internet connection problems (check by using another browser / check firewall settings / reset router/modem).
    * High CPU and/or system memory usage creates a delayed response to commands and/or keyboard input.
    * Faulty mouse creates erratic cursor movement.

[patio]

Well I just ran 3.1 sandboxed and it seemed much faster. But not one of my add ons work with it. Thats a bunch of BS. Mozilla needs to do more to make sure add ons work with the new versions.

EF DLoad and try MR>Tech Toolkit...works for my Extensions...

[Broni]

OK, some update.
I kept watching Task Manager, and I've noticed, that one of svchost.exe processes CPU usage kept jumping between 0 to 40%.
I investigated further, using Process Explorer, and that particular svchost process was responsible for 4 other sub-processes.
Two of them well definitely needed by Windows, so I didn't touch them, but two others were worth to play with them.
At first, I disabled Telephony service, but it didn't have any influence on svchost jumping CPU usage.
Secondly, I disabled Network Location Awareness service, and svchost CPU usage dived to flat ZERO, and stayed there.

Now, interesting part - Firefox connection.
Actually, I have no clue, as of now, what's the connection between disabling Network Location Awareness service, and Firefox RAM usage is, but...
As I stated before, when I start FF3, it's RAM usage is at around 80K, but it pretty rapidly grows to 200K, and after 1-2 hours of usage, it gets to 300-400K, and at that point FF becomes extremely sluggish. Even, if I'm not doing anything, but watching Task Manager, I can see FF RAM usage growing in front of my eyes. I'm forced to restart.
Now, after disabling Network Location Awareness service, FF has been open for about 30 minutes, and its RAM usage stays at around 115K. I'll see in another hour, but so far, so good.
Also, when I shut down FF after disabling Network Location Awareness service, firefox.exe service disappeared from Task Manager almost instantly.

This is what BlackViper site has to say about Network Location Awareness service:

Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified. If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
It has been reported to me that Real Player may require this service, otherwise it will stall. It has also been reported to me that Windows Live OneCare firewall requires this service.

So far, I didn't notice any negative impact by disabling the above service.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

So far, I didn't notice any negative impact by disabling the above service.

Neither did I, but Firefox still stays there for about 30 seconds after heavy use....

Broni, you on a Vista?

[Broni]

Yep.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Well darn.

[Broni]

Why?

[patio]

Well I just ran 3.1 sandboxed and it seemed much faster. But not one of my add ons work with it. Thats a bunch of BS. Mozilla needs to do more to make sure add ons work with the new versions.

EF DLoad and try MR>Tech Toolkit...works for my Extensions...

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Why?

Doesn't do anything on XP except keeps the computer looking for a network when a connection is established.

Well I just ran 3.1 sandboxed and it seemed much faster. But not one of my add ons work with it. Thats a bunch of BS. Mozilla needs to do more to make sure add ons work with the new versions.

EF DLoad and try MR>Tech Toolkit...works for my Extensions...

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Ahah! Problem solved.

Had to change a setting for the add-on Session Manager.

[mcxeb52!]

Firefox stays running for at least 15-20 seconds after you close it.

well for me when it happens, I have to force firefox to close with the task manager's end task function usually.

I hope 3.1 is better but I'm not into beta software that much, at least for firefox.

And sure, firefox needs a new skin. The blueness in vista looks quite out of touch.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I hope 3.1 is better but I'm not into beta software that much, at least for firefox.

Just in case you didn't know, Firefox is up to 3.0.3 and is out of Beta.

[mcxeb52!]

I hope 3.1 is better but I'm not into beta software that much, at least for firefox.

Just in case you didn't know, Firefox is up to 3.0.3 and is out of Beta.

I am taking about 3.1. Yes, I knew 3.0.3 is out of beta. But I'm taking about the next release that mozilla has planned that will include a private browsing option that's supposedly easy to access (without having to unlock it the hard way)

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

There are Firefox add-ons that can get you into private browsing mode too.

I think Mozilla just wants to compete with the new version of Internet Explorer (Or was it Chrome?)