Memory Leak?

Find out how much memory you are suppose to have in your machine. Shut the machine down and turn it back on. Look at the memory test and compare it to what you are suppose to have. If it reads less than what you are suppose to have, replace the memory chips.
If is is more check your Virtual Memory.

Hope this helps out.

If the problem is not with your physical memory the problem will be within windows. Try safemode and check the behaviour there. Safe mode starts with minimal requirements to load so hardly any drivers and no background programs loaded. if it works fine here you have a software problem and what you need to do next is see what's running in the background in normal mode and root cause the culprit by trial and error. hope this also might help

If your running 98 try start;run;msconfig
with this you can disable what is currently starting with windows,excellent trouble shooting utility.

To answer the last part of your question. I have never seen Norton cause this. The problem is almost always in Windows.
You are on the right track. Windows is failing to release (free) memory after it is no longer in use. The classic memory leak.Since the problem occurs with nothing being run, you are going to have to go through the operating system with a fine tooth comb. I hope you have a copy of the Windows Resource Kit. (The real operating manual of Windows.)
Regards, Chris

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