Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!jarthur!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!rmg3 From: RMG3@psuvm.psu.edu Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps Subject: Re: MS Word won't give memory back Message-ID: <90310.130257RMG3@psuvm.psu.edu> Date: 6 Nov 90 18:02:57 GMT References: <1990Nov3.055610.6191@ctr.columbia.edu> Organization: Penn State University Lines: 23 In response to two notes on the problems of opening memory hungry programs after MS Word, under multifinder. The problem is likely not what you think. I have encountered this myself with other large programs as well, not just MS Word. What has turned out to be the problem (for me) is that although the total memory available is plenty to open the monster program, the largest block available is not. Multifinder (according to the manual) requires a contiguous block of memory to open a program. Something requiring 2 Mb of memory demands not only that you have 2 Mb, but that it occupy a single block within the address space. You are quite likely running in to a situation where your other programs occupy small, but strategic, portions of memory. The solution, or work around, given in the manual is to close and re-open your other applications. The work around is not elegant, or even convenient. Add to my wish list for system 7 the hope that multifinder (which will apparently be the _only_ finder available) will learn how to manage memory so that you only have to have 2Mb free to open a 2Mb program. No nonsense about it being a contiguous block. Bob Grumbine a.k.a. rmg3@psuvm.psu.edu Not only do I not speak for my employer(s), I may not even be speaking for myself.