It appears that Firefox is the main culprit because when I close it the RAM fill drops way down.  I don’t much about computers but I know I didn’t use to have this problem even with many FF windows open.
And yes- I’ve checked for viruses and spyware.

Can someone tell me what could be causing this memory constipation?  

-------
 ~ Anyone who is not confused doesn't understand the situation ~

picture for reference: http://images.igloos.ca/d/354511-1/task_manager_mem_usage.jpg

Click where I've placed the uppermost highlight to get to the process screen.

Then, click on the lower/right highlight until the numbers below it are going from highest to lowest.

If your window is as long as mine is, you should probably grab the bottom edge of it and stretch it out long enough so that the scrollbar goes away.

-------
Unbelievably awesomesauce to the absurd degree that I wet myself.
Who else has created a LW/magnets
so explicit the mods deleted a screencap of it? =P

Well I rebooted the computer this morning (usually it’s never turned off) which cleaned out the RAM so right now it’s only running at 57% fill- however I suspect it will creep up as the day goes on.

In any case, right now- the task manager says Firefox is using the most- 212040-K (this with 15 windows open), then ‘vsmon’- 28992 and ‘svchost’- 19664.  Everything else is below 10000.

-------
 ~ Anyone who is not confused doesn't understand the situation ~

---

Try cleaning out the unneeded start programs.  Go to RUN and then type in "msconfig".  THen you can change the programs that start with the US on the farthest to the right tab.  
I have 1.5GB Ram with ~1gb Free.

---

You posted while I was answering Whuppee.

Right now I have 590380-K of RAM in use- this is with all normal start-up programs running- so I don't think start-ups is an issue.  I think it's the whole problem is that Firefox is not clearing memory when it's done with it, it just keeps taking more rather than reusing it.  And I don't see any settings in FF for memory management.  Maybe I just run too many tabs at one time.

-------
 ~ Anyone who is not confused doesn't understand the situation ~

---

Oh of course- the task manager.  I should have known that.    

Well I rebooted the computer this morning (usually it’s never turned off) which cleaned out the RAM so right now it’s only running at 57% fill- however I suspect it will creep up as the day goes on.

In any case, right now- the task manager says Firefox is using the most- 212040-K (this with 15 windows open), then ‘vsmon’- 28992 and ‘svchost’- 19664.  Everything else is below 10000.

 

---

MAy I suggest you get rid of ZOneAlarm, Vsmon causes lots of problems and just drags the PC down.  I used to have it.  Always keep svchost on it is needed.  Firefox tends to take up alot of RAM but it is essential. (my opinion).

-------
We do what we must because we can.

If you want to win employ a Fin.

have you actually noticed any sluggish performance?

-------
have your lawyer call my lawyer
you're out of your mind