Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!portal!cup.portal.com!drew
From: drew@cup.portal.com (Andrew E Wade)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: System 6.0.5 system heap problems?
Message-ID: <31888@cup.portal.com>
Date: 19 Jul 90 16:23:17 GMT
References: <3188@phred.UUCP>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 36

Re:  System heap size too small, causing problems.

This is not the application's fault.  As you use more INITs, CDEVs, etc., you
can run out of system heap space.  You should set it up using CE Software's
Heapfixer (Des Moines, Ia, or you local dealer -- heapfixer is bundled
with several of their products).  Remember to set it again whenever you
install new system software.  There are no dangers or bad side effects of
this -- except that it uses some of your memory!

(You can also set it with resedit, but heapfixer is safer.)

Insufficient system heap size is one of the most common causes of
occasional unexplained crashes.  In the finder, do the About...command
and look at the system memory bar.  It should have about 25% or more of
free (white) space.  If it doesn't, you may occasionally run out of
memory in system utilities and inits, etc.

If you use multi-finder you may also want to set up finder's size.  Select
finder icon, command-i (get info), edit number in lower right-hand corner
up from default 160KB to something like 256KB.  I'm not aware of this
causing crashes, but i've certainly seen the finder complain about 
insufficient memory, e.g., when trying to copy large numbers of files.
Again, no bad effects except that it uses memory.

Memory is worth it. If you're short buy some.  It's cheap.

Good luck.  Hope this does it for you.

-Drew Wade                                                                  
Objectivity, Inc.                                                         
800 El Camino Real, 4th Floor                                              
Menlo Park, CA  94025                                                          
(415) 688-8000                                                                 
fax:  (415) 325-0939                                                       
email: drew@objy.com