Not Enough Memory (Heap Problems)

Problem

'not enough memory' when it seems like there should be enough--while using our Macintosh accounting software under Mac system 6
• Trouble opening new windows while running MacNail construction software
• "out of memory" in Excel even though "About Excel" shows memory left.

Diagnosis

To see system heap (Multifinder only)-- go to Finder, choose "About the Finder", it shows memory allocations graphically.
• System Heap is the lighter area in the right side of the System bar chart. System should be at least 10% white.

Solution

The short-term cure to System Heap problems is to quit from all programs and restart the computer.

The long-term cure is to do either or both of the following:
• Remove excess INITs from your System folder. Anything labelled as a Startup document, a Chooser document or a Control Panel document is an INIT. The After Dark screen saver is a frequent culprit.
• Increase the System Heap size with a boot-block editing program such as HeapFixer, Widgets or Bootman.

NOTE-- This answer is of historical interest only, since newer operating system versions are much better at managing RAM. It's extremely rare to see any sort of memory problems while using our newer Goldenseal Macintosh estimating software and Macintosh accounting software.

Comments

there's more about system heap in newsletter #11
To enlarge system heap-- try any of the following programs: Widgets, HeapFixer (CE Software), HeapTool (shareware), Now Utilities (Now software). MacUser really likes HeapTool.

Entered 10/10/92 by Dennis. Updated 11/10/2010.