Why are Firefox programmers making it a memory eater?

In summary, Firefox is taking up 600MB of memory and is causing crashes. The temporary stash is set to 600MB and there are a lot of add-ons installed.
  • #1
Pengwuino
Gold Member
5,124
20
My LORDY LORD, I'm running firefox right now with Gmail up, facebook, and a random website up. On facebook I am playing one of the stupid flash 10 games. I go to check my task manager and firefox.exe is taking up 600MB OF MEMORY! Seriously? I even check out process explorer and yes, 600MB.

Have all the idiotic programmers in the world seen that memory prices have gone down substantially over the last few years and decided that they must make sure their programs take up as much memory as humanly possible? This is unbelievable! I have actual PC games that take up less memory while in use! IMA BOUT TO SLAP A FOOL!

PENGWUINO EAT PROGRAMMERS!

oh yah... uhm... I guess I don't really hvave a question... just venting...

Wait i have a question, where do I find where these programmers live?
 
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  • #2
Pengwuino said:
...a random website up...

Random hey? That what you call 'em? :wink:

Maybe it's watching movie clips in HD that does it :biggrin:
 
  • #3
phyzmatix said:
Random hey? That what you call 'em? :wink:

Maybe it's watching movie clips in HD that does it :biggrin:

"No, baby, it's spyware, I didn't want to see that hotter younger version of you take her clothes off".
 
  • #4
I got to agree firefox just eats the memory and causes lots of trouble. the current problem i am facing with firefox is it crashes very often.
 
  • #5
What is your temporary stash set to? How many add-ons are installed?
 
  • #6
I never used Firefox because even after the first time it was evident that it was no good.

People just started using them because of some trend and people want to be "different".

America founder of pseudo-individualism.

Anyways, are you still using it now?
 
  • #7
Pattonias said:
What is your temporary stash set to? How many add-ons are installed?

I have no idea, what is it and how can I control it? :)

I disabled all the add-ons that didnt seem crucial. I left stuff like AVG's part of it, java crap, flash crap, etc, but turned off all the nice little addons like download helpers and such. Anything that seemed necessary to actually run content I might normally run across was left on. I'm amazed that other people have this problem and i tisnt just some massive memory leak on my computer (read as : not amazed at all)
 
  • #8
Try Google Chrome. Very low overhead, comes up fast, and unlike IE or FF, it doesn't keep booting me out of PF chat. It's pretty bare-bones, as browsers go.
 
  • #9
JasonRox said:
I never used Firefox because even after the first time it was evident that it was no good.

People just started using them because of some trend and people want to be "different".

America founder of pseudo-individualism.

Anyways, are you still using it now?

:rolleyes: I use it because I like it. To a non-computer geek, the choices are usually between the browsers we have heard of. This leaves IE or FF and to me, clearly FF is superior (at least in comparison too whatever edition of IE we have at work).


But now that you mention it, are lots of people using it? 'Cause if so, I need to switch to something less popular 'cause I'm like a non-conformist and stuff...

:tongue2:
 
  • #10
To check if it is a memory leak, you can restart the computer and then restart firefox. If firefox is not using the same amount of memory that it used doing the same things as before then it could possibly be a memory leak.

To check for spy-ware you can use spy-bot (http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html" [Broken]) it is free and very reliable. Once you download it let it scan your system. It will tell you what, if any, spy-ware you have and allow you to remove it.

If none of this works, let me know and I can tell you how to check your internet cache and see if that is the problem.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
Firefox by default caches the last 8 pages for each tab bar you have open, and it pretty much never releases memory that it has grabbed for this. Apparently this isn't a bug it's a 'feature'.

The argument is that most users aren't using the memory for anything else anyway, if your new home computer has 4Gb of Ram and you are only browsing the web - why not speed up the browsing by using as much ram as possible. when you start another program the Firefox cache will be swapped out to disk anyway.

If you use your computer for real work just restart firefox to clear it's memory, or there are a bunch of complex tweaks you can do see http://www.thinktechno.com/2007/10/...on-how-to-reduce-the-memory-usage-in-firefox/

Or you could just use Opera like all us cool kids ;-)
 
  • #12
Opera for windows and firefox for linux. :)
 
  • #13
I think Firefox is great. Granted it is a memory hog, but then again, I am not of the ADD generation that has to have 15 tabs going with my 3D shooter game, i-tunes and movie player all going at the same time. Also, I can count the number of times FF has crashed on me on one hand and those were due to pages with heavy scripts written for IE. Once I restarted and opened them in an IE window in FF (a very cool add on by the way) there were no issues.

With all of the customizations and flexibility Firefox gives you, I'll take the memory suck up any day over using IE or the like. I still have to try Chrome or Opera though.
 
  • #14
What's this "crash" people talk about? do your computers fall over?
 
  • #15
turbo-1 said:
Try Google Chrome. Very low overhead, comes up fast, and unlike IE or FF, it doesn't keep booting me out of PF chat. It's pretty bare-bones, as browsers go.
Yeah. So was [strike]Netsc[/strike] ... er ... Firefox when it first started. Until it realized that mere goodwill and warm fuzzies from its loyal following weren't going to keep it competitive...
 
  • #16
mgb_phys said:
... Or you could just use Opera like all us cool kids ;-)

I prefer Links. :smile:
 
  • #17
Firefox tends to keep a lot of memory cache, so the more tabs you have open and the more history of the current session, the more memory it eats. A couple of things that help are tweaking firefox's settings (pretty much their equivalent of the registry) or creating a new profile (I had to do that because on my old profile, which I have used for many years on many different re-installations of windows, the memory usage would often top 1GB, and even with tweaking, there was nothing I could do). Now Firefox uses less than 500MB most all the time.
 
  • #18
Chi Meson said:
What's this "crash" people talk about? do your computers fall over?

Crash means all of a sudden you will get an error report saying firefox has encountered an problem and needs to close. if you in the middle of some work you can even have time to bookmark it or you cannot proceed further unless you give ok for that crash report pop up and the firefox will close. we have to start another firefox browser to do our work.

does anyone else have encountered similar problem?
how did you rectify it?
 
  • #19
Chi Meson said:
What's this "crash" people talk about? do your computers fall over?

martharon said:
Crash means all of a sudden you will get an error report saying firefox has encountered an problem and needs to close.
Main Entry: sar·casm
Pronunciation: \ˈsär-ˌka-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: French or Late Latin; French sarcasme, from Late Latin sarcasmos, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, from sark-, sarx flesh; probably akin to Avestan thwarəs- to cut
Date: 1550

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm
 
  • #20
Dembadon said:
I prefer Links. :smile:

Yes Lynx/Elinks uses very, (very, very) little memory. =)
 
  • #21
@Saladsamurai
Lol.. :-D (I don't like the grin smiley in PF. Should i convey my grievance in the feedbackforum? :biggrin:)
 
  • #22
FredGarvin said:
Main Entry: sar·casm
Pronunciation: \ˈsär-ˌka-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: French or Late Latin; French sarcasme, from Late Latin sarcasmos, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, from sark-, sarx flesh; probably akin to Avestan thwarəs- to cut
Date: 1550

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm
3: a knee-jerk reaction from Mac users when conversation drifts to topics of Windows problems.
 
  • #23
Chi Meson said:
3: a knee-jerk reaction from Mac users when conversation drifts to topics of Windows problems.

mac11crash.gif
 
  • #24
Updating you about 10 years, Pythagorean:
WaitCursor-300p.gif
 
  • #25
Mk said:
Updating you about 10 years, Pythagorean:
WaitCursor-300p.gif

This graphic doesn't always indicate a crash. I can count on one hand how many times a program has completely crashed in the past year of using Macs.

The following error is experienced by me and many co-workers on a (sometimes) weekly basis:
 

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  • #26
Mk said:
Updating you about 10 years, Pythagorean:
WaitCursor-300p.gif

"The Spinning pizza cutter of DEATH!"

OK, it happens. Now and then. Occasionally. With MS applications mostly, and that's a "freeze," anyway, isn't it?
 
  • #27
Pythagorean said:
mac11crash.gif

I almost miss that one. A crash was never so cute!
 
  • #28
Dembadon said:
This graphic doesn't always indicate a crash. I can count on one hand how many times a program has completely crashed in the past year of using Macs.

The following error is experienced by me and many co-workers on a (sometimes) weekly basis:
In the past 20 years using Windows, numbers of crashes...ZERO.

I'm absolutely serious. But I don't download questionable crap on my home computer that might not work right. At work, everything is made to run on Windows, so no problems. So, it's not Windows, it's the poorly written apps that cause problems with other apps.
 
  • #29
Evo said:
In the past 20 years using Windows, numbers of crashes...ZERO.

I'm absolutely serious. But I don't download questionable crap on my home computer that might not work right. At work, everything is made to run on Windows, so no problems. So, it's not Windows, it's the poorly written apps that cause problems with other apps.

The error I posted happens when performing things as trivial as changing one's IP address or navigating 'Control Panel'.

I must say that I am quite envious of your Windows experience. :smile:
 
  • #30
I have used CP/M, DOS (all kinds!) Apple, Mac, Windows, etc, etc, and have been the IT specialist in a large medical practice in which DOS and Windows had to coexist on a Novell network (no mean feat!). All hardware and OS combinations have their strengths and weaknesses, including costs, compatibilities, available applications, etc.

The sniping (usually Mac vs MS) reminds me of guys with pickup trucks who buy window decals featuring a urinating cartoon brat. The only difference is in which TM decals are at the receiving end of the insult (Chevy, Ford, Dodge...). Sad.

Disclaimer: I am running XP SP3 on a Dell that is pushing 5 years old. It is protected with AVAST, and I never see a BSOD. The biggest hassle I have (maybe a couple of times a month) is that I have to shut down Chrome because some bogus alert will come up when visiting a web-site telling me that I need to have my system scanned. The "alerts" are designed such that ANY response results in mal-ware trying to install itself. As a musician, I often seek out tablature, lyrics, etc, and it seems that music fan-sites are frequently contaminated with hijack-software.
 
  • #31
Dembadon said:
The error I posted happens when performing things as trivial as changing one's IP address or navigating 'Control Panel'.

I must say that I am quite envious of your Windows experience. :smile:
Never, ever happened to me. There must be something you've downloaded that is causing problems. Or there is something wrong with your computer. Seriously. The stability of Windows is one of the main reasons why huge corporations use it.

They also don't allow employees to install poorly written software that could cause problems.

Let me guess, you have all kinds of crap downloaded, right?
 
  • #32
Evo said:
In the past 20 years using Windows, numbers of crashes...ZERO.

I'm absolutely serious. But I don't download questionable crap on my home computer that might not work right. At work, everything is made to run on Windows, so no problems. So, it's not Windows, it's the poorly written apps that cause problems with other apps.


Hardware problems were a major source of windows crashes, primarily badly-written drivers. Macs had less problems because they only supported a very small amount of hardware, most of which Apple wrote the driver's for. With newer windows versions, this is not as big of a problem because drivers have to be certified by Microsoft. When hardware fails though, whether you are on a mac or PC, the operating system is going to crash; the only difference is that the Mac's screen is not blue.

From my user experience, the old versions of the Mac OS (pre-OS-X) were the most crash-prone operating system I ever used, even more unstable than Windows 95.

Windows XP was pretty stable, and the 64 bit version of Vista I never had a crash that was not due to hardware failures.
 
  • #33
Evo said:
Never, ever happened to me. There must be something you've downloaded that is causing problems. Or there is something wrong with your computer. Seriously. The stability of Windows is one of the main reasons why huge corporations use it.

They also don't allow employees to install poorly written software that could cause problems.

Let me guess, you have all kinds of crap downloaded, right?

Nope.

We are using company issued laptops and desktops. I have no need for anything on my machine other than what allows me to do my job; so no, I don't have much downloaded at all.

Here is the list things I have installed:

-putty
-tftpd
-3CDaemon
-AVG
-MS Office
-ImgBurn (Disc creation software, mainly used for creating .iso images)
-Adobe Reader and Flash Player

That's it. This is a fresh install without all the preinstalled junk from the manufacturer (Lenovo). Also, I am in no way attempting to bash Windows users for their OS choice, I am simply saying that Macs have been more reliable in my experience; I have been using Windows since 3.1 (on an old 386) and still continue to use a PC at home. As turbo-1 said, each OS has it's strengths and weaknesses and my Mac experience has been quite favorable.
 
  • #34
Evo said:
Never, ever happened to me. There must be something you've downloaded that is causing problems. Or there is something wrong with your computer. Seriously. The stability of Windows is one of the main reasons why huge corporations use it.

They also don't allow employees to install poorly written software that could cause problems.

Let me guess, you have all kinds of crap downloaded, right?
When I was network administrator at a large auction house, that was a MAJOR problem. People would ignore guidelines and rules and download all kinds of ill-behaved crap, then whine to me when their computers went belly-up. It was a private company loaded with relatives (rampant nepotism), and those "special" employees always seemed to think that downloading streaming music players, automatic wallpaper-changers, animated cursors, and other crap was harmless, after being specifically told NOT to do it.

And you're right. If the Windows installs are clean, with only minimal applications installed (the stuff you need to do your job), such a network can be extremely stable and easy to maintain. When you've got some rogues slipping "harmless" crap onto their machines, that's when the trouble starts. The people that downloaded media players, etc could have brought in personal music players and ear-buds, etc - the company had very open rules regarding that kind of thing. Instead, they'd download stuff that had not been cleared or approved. One young lady managed to contaminate our network with a virus that corrupted and ruined jpg files. Luckily, we found evidence of it and stopped it, reloaded our image files via backup tapes, etc. In the meantime, our photography department had to work overtime to re-create the images lost between infection and detection.
 
  • #35
Dembadon said:
Nope.

We are using company issued laptops and desktops. I have no need for anything on my machine other than what allows me to do my job; so no, I don't have much downloaded at all.

Here is the list things I have installed:

-putty
-tftpd
-3CDaemon
-AVG
-MS Office
-ImgBurn (Disc creation software, mainly used for creating .iso images)
-Adobe Reader and Flash Player

That's it. This is a fresh install without all the preinstalled junk from the manufacturer (Lenovo). Also, I am in no way attempting to bash Windows users for their OS choice, I am simply saying that Macs have been more reliable in my experience; I have been using Windows since 3.1 (on an old 386) and still continue to use a PC at home. As turbo-1 said, each OS has it's strengths and weaknesses and my Mac experience has been quite favorable.
Have you removed the programs other than Adobe and MS Office to see which is causing the problem?

I'm not kidding when I say I have never had a problem...ever. And I'm older than dirt and probably used computers before you were born. I worked for AT&T in the 70's in data networks, so I used computers before Microsoft.

I know all of the security problems, been through all of the Microsoft issues, but never had a crash due to the OS.
 
Last edited:
<h2>1. Why does Firefox use so much memory?</h2><p>Firefox is a complex web browser that is constantly evolving and adding new features. As a result, it requires a significant amount of memory to run efficiently. Additionally, Firefox uses a multi-process architecture, which means that each tab and extension runs in its own process, leading to a higher overall memory usage compared to other browsers.</p><h2>2. Is there a way to reduce Firefox's memory usage?</h2><p>Yes, there are several ways to reduce Firefox's memory usage. One option is to limit the number of open tabs and extensions, as each one requires its own memory allocation. You can also try clearing your browsing history and cache regularly, as this can free up memory. Additionally, keeping your Firefox and operating system up to date can help improve memory management.</p><h2>3. How does Firefox compare to other browsers in terms of memory usage?</h2><p>Firefox's memory usage may seem high compared to other browsers, but it is important to consider its features and capabilities. In some cases, Firefox may use more memory to provide a better browsing experience, such as faster page loading and smoother performance. However, there are also ways to optimize Firefox's memory usage to make it more comparable to other browsers.</p><h2>4. Does the amount of memory available on my computer affect Firefox's memory usage?</h2><p>Yes, the amount of available memory on your computer can impact Firefox's memory usage. If your computer has limited memory, Firefox may struggle to allocate enough memory for all of its processes, leading to slower performance. In this case, it may be helpful to close unnecessary programs and tabs to free up memory for Firefox to use.</p><h2>5. Are Firefox programmers working to improve its memory usage?</h2><p>Yes, Firefox programmers are constantly working to improve the browser's memory usage. In fact, with each new update, there are often improvements made to memory management and optimization. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to make Firefox more efficient and reduce its memory usage without sacrificing performance.</p>

1. Why does Firefox use so much memory?

Firefox is a complex web browser that is constantly evolving and adding new features. As a result, it requires a significant amount of memory to run efficiently. Additionally, Firefox uses a multi-process architecture, which means that each tab and extension runs in its own process, leading to a higher overall memory usage compared to other browsers.

2. Is there a way to reduce Firefox's memory usage?

Yes, there are several ways to reduce Firefox's memory usage. One option is to limit the number of open tabs and extensions, as each one requires its own memory allocation. You can also try clearing your browsing history and cache regularly, as this can free up memory. Additionally, keeping your Firefox and operating system up to date can help improve memory management.

3. How does Firefox compare to other browsers in terms of memory usage?

Firefox's memory usage may seem high compared to other browsers, but it is important to consider its features and capabilities. In some cases, Firefox may use more memory to provide a better browsing experience, such as faster page loading and smoother performance. However, there are also ways to optimize Firefox's memory usage to make it more comparable to other browsers.

4. Does the amount of memory available on my computer affect Firefox's memory usage?

Yes, the amount of available memory on your computer can impact Firefox's memory usage. If your computer has limited memory, Firefox may struggle to allocate enough memory for all of its processes, leading to slower performance. In this case, it may be helpful to close unnecessary programs and tabs to free up memory for Firefox to use.

5. Are Firefox programmers working to improve its memory usage?

Yes, Firefox programmers are constantly working to improve the browser's memory usage. In fact, with each new update, there are often improvements made to memory management and optimization. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to make Firefox more efficient and reduce its memory usage without sacrificing performance.

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