Macintosh: Memory Utilization Troubleshooting Chart

TITLE

Macintosh: Memory Utilization Troubleshooting Chart

TOPIC

Macintosh memory (RAM) issues can have a number of symptoms. Below is a table of symptoms, possible causes, and troubleshooting steps.

Symptom
Possible Cause
Troubleshooting Steps

When user tries to launch a program, a dialog box on screen indicates that there is not enough memory to open the program. Memory has become fragmented. Quit other programs in the order that you opened them and/or restart the Macintosh.

Quit other programs that may be open.

Turn on virtual memory (or increase its size).

Reduce the size of the disk cache.

Reduce the size of the RAM disk if there is one, or turn it off.

Add more RAM to the Macintosh.

Remove the contents of a large Clipboard. If you have a huge document sitting on the Clipboard as a result of copying, delete the contents. From the Finder, pull down the Edit menu and choose the Show Clipboard command. If a large segment of data resides in the Clipboard, simply replace it by copying a small word or a single character. The tiny piece of text will be copied to the Clipboard, replacing the huge amount of text that was there.

The application displays a dialog box warning that here is not enough memory to open the document. Not enough memory allocated to program. If the application has other documents open, close them.

Increase the memory partition for the program.

There is not enough memory to complete an operation. Close document windows that you don't need.

Check for a Large Clipboard.

Increase the amount of memory allocated to the application. Remember that an application cannot occupy less memory than is designated in the Minimum size box; nor can it occupy more memory than is designated in the Preferred size box (both in the Get Info window) even if there is plenty of RAM.

Work with smaller documents. If adjusting the memory allocation to the application successfully worked, you can also divide a very large text document into smaller separate text files.

Streamline graphic files. You can economize on the amount of memory graphics files occupy by working on them in 72 dpi rather than 300 dpi and by using 256 colors rather than millions of colors.

Crashes occur when you run one or more specific programs, particularly older (before 1990) programs. Program is incompatible with the Modern Memory Manager. Obtain a newer, compatible version of the program.

User complains of slow performance. This problem is subject to user opinion. However, the user may state that performance has just recently degraded. Virtual memory is adversely affecting performance. Reduce the amount of virtual memory.

Turn off virtual memory. Note, however, that turning off virtual memory on a Power Macintosh increases the amount of memory needed to run PowerPC-native programs.

Symptom	Possible Cause	Troubleshooting Steps
When user tries to launch a program, a dialog box on screen indicates that there is not enough memory to open the program.	Memory has become fragmented.	Quit other programs in the order that you opened them and/or restart the Macintosh.
		Quit other programs that may be open.
		Turn on virtual memory (or increase its size).
		Reduce the size of the disk cache.
		Reduce the size of the RAM disk if there is one, or turn it off.
		Add more RAM to the Macintosh.
		Remove the contents of a large Clipboard. If you have a huge document sitting on the Clipboard as a result of copying, delete the contents. From the Finder, pull down the Edit menu and choose the Show Clipboard command. If a large segment of data resides in the Clipboard, simply replace it by copying a small word or a single character. The tiny piece of text will be copied to the Clipboard, replacing the huge amount of text that was there.

The application displays a dialog box warning that here is not enough memory to open the document.	Not enough memory allocated to program.	If the application has other documents open, close them.
		Increase the memory partition for the program.

	There is not enough memory to complete an operation.	Close document windows that you don't need.
		Check for a Large Clipboard.
		Increase the amount of memory allocated to the application. Remember that an application cannot occupy less memory than is designated in the Minimum size box; nor can it occupy more memory than is designated in the Preferred size box (both in the Get Info window) even if there is plenty of RAM.
		Work with smaller documents. If adjusting the memory allocation to the application successfully worked, you can also divide a very large text document into smaller separate text files.
		Streamline graphic files. You can economize on the amount of memory graphics files occupy by working on them in 72 dpi rather than 300 dpi and by using 256 colors rather than millions of colors.

Crashes occur when you run one or more specific programs, particularly older (before 1990) programs.	Program is incompatible with the Modern Memory Manager.	Obtain a newer, compatible version of the program.

User complains of slow performance. This problem is subject to user opinion. However, the user may state that performance has just recently degraded.	Virtual memory is adversely affecting performance.	Reduce the amount of virtual memory.
		Turn off virtual memory. Note, however, that turning off virtual memory on a Power Macintosh increases the amount of memory needed to run PowerPC-native programs.