I thought I had a memory leak for the longest time but I never had any time to check it out. The other day I finally got around to diagnosing the problem, which wasn't a memory leak, but BOINC. For some it was running numerous copies of wah2am3m2_um_8.12_windows_intelx86.exe, using up most of my memory at all times. I looked into my settings and found that "Suspend when computer is in use" was not checked. The fact that there's even an option to let BOINC take over your computer while you're using it is mind-boggling, but I have no idea why this wasn't checked by default. Well, "no biggie" I thought, I just have to check this and the problem is solved, which is much easier than I thought it would be to solve. I did so, the processes disappeared, my memory usage dropped to ~20%, and it was like a whole new world where double clicking on a folder doesn't bring my computer to its knees. Frustrating that BOINC was set up this way, but at least it's over now. I can get on with my life, or so I thought.

Today I discovered my computer running rather slow again. I look in my Task Manager, lo' and behold, BOINC is taking up all my memory. I check BOINC, the box is still checked as it should be, but obviously this checked box has ceased to be honored.

I think BOINC is a great idea: help people do science by making use of my computer when I'm not touching it? Sure! But the key here is "when I'm not touching it." I don't want to help science if it literally cripples my computer, so I'm probably going to just uninstall BOINC to avoid having to deal with fixing this, because I've already dealt with it for long enough (my fault that I procrastinated, but I did that because I'm in grad school myself, trying to accomplish things). Before I just completely jump ship, though, is there a potential quick and easy fix for this? As in is there a setting I'm overlooking or something? I really really have too much stress in my life to deal with an optional program destroying my computer, so I'm not willing to go through 5-10 diagnostic tests and such.

In any case, at the very least, I hope this sheds light on a previously unknown issue or something. Like I said, I like the idea of the project, and I've been running BOINC for years, so I'd like to see it continue successfully.

Check that BOINC Manager->(View->Advanced view->)Activity is set to "Run based on preferences", as else those preferences will get ignored.

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