Memory drain!

Not sure entirely whether this should be in here or in the hardware section, but, here goes.

Recently, i have been downloading large files from p2p programs. These files are anything from 100 - 700mb each, and are unrelated, but all are .exe

Of course, i scan everything i download with Avast, and nothing comes up.

When i load them, (say WinRar Self extractor) my comp becomes very slow, and the utility i have displaying my available RAM plummets from 390mb+ down to about 10mb.

If i wait for a couple of minutes, it returns to higher than it was to start with, and the installation continues without a hitch..

Avast showing up no probs..

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

f i wait for a couple of minutes, it returns to higher than it was to start with, and the installation continues without a hitch..
Usually self-extracting files are larger than the compressed file itself. It's a function of making them self-extractors.

 

I have an Athlon 1.4ghz processor. You're probably right about it being normal. It just seems a little alarming.