Reference number: CH000375

Out of memory errors.

Issue:

Out of memory errors.

Additional information:

There are four standard sections of computer memory with users running MS-DOS 2.0 or above or Windows 3.0 or above. When encountering Out of memory errors the computer generally is referring to the conventional memory, but may also be referring to other sections of memory or the total amount of memory.

An example and extended information about each of the sections of memory can be found on our RAM Diagram page. 

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the below reasons.

1. Computer needs to be rebooted
2. Not enough memory installed in computer
3. Memory management software not installed / issue
4. Not enough disk storage
5. Software issue
6. Bad memory.

Solution:

Computer needs to be rebooted

Often out of memory errors can be resolved by simply rebooting the computer. Before trying any of the below steps we suggest you first try rebooting the computer.

Not enough memory installed in computer

Ensure that the computer meets the system requirement of the program that you are trying to run. The system requirements for the program will often be found on one of the sides of the box the software was included in and/or in the product documentation.

Additional information about determining the available system memory and resources can be found on document CH000149.

MS-DOS users can find additional information on getting additional memory / conventional memory by following some of the suggestions found on our autoexec.bat / config.sys page. Information on how to create a bootable diskette can be found on our boot disk page.

Memory management software not installed / issue

Many programs may require that memory management be installed or not installed. 

If you are running MS-DOS or Windows 3.x on the computer, ensure that the computer is loading himem.sys as well as emm386.exe unless otherwise recommended by the program documentation or program company. If these are both loading, consider temporarily remarking the emm386 line as it could be causing your issues. Additional information about loading himem.sys and emm386 can be found on our autoexec.bat / config.sys page.

If you are running MS-DOS or Windows 3.x on the computer, attempt to temporarily disable or uninstall it to determine if it's causing your issue.

If you are running Windows 95 and Windows 98 users, emm386.exe and himem.sys or any memory management program should not be required as Windows is capable of managing the computer's memory. 

If you are using Windows 95 or above with a memory management program it is recommended that it be uninstalled or removed from the computer as it could be causing the issue. If this program is required to meet the system requirements it is recommended you upgrade your system memory. 

Not enough disk storage

Make sure the computer hard drive has at least 100-500MB of free disk space if you are running any version of Windows. It is possible that if little or no disk space is available that the computer swap file cannot expand in size as needed. 

• Additional information about the win386.swp or windows swap file can be found on document CH000358.
• Additional information about determining the amount of available hard disk drive space can be found on document CH000369.

Software issue

If you continue to encounter out of memory issues with the program you are attempting to run it is possible that the software program may have an issue. Verify that you have all available updates / patches for the program.

If issue persists or if there is no available updates / patches for the program, contact the software developer / vendor for additional information and/or support. 

Bad memory

Finally, if the above suggestions does not help resolve your out of memory issues this issue can also be caused by a computer that has failing or bad memory in the computer. Additional information about checking your memory to see if it is bad can be found on document CH000708.