mac os x startup disk has no more space available for application memory

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Level 1

5 points

mac os x startup disk has no more space available for application memory

Suddenly over the past 2-3 weeks, first my iMac, then my Mac Pro both started giving me the pop-up error message: "Your mac os x startup disk has no more space available for application memory" offering for me to Force Quit open applications. Which does not work. Restarting temporarily helps, but the error will eventually return.
I have over 50% available in HD space on the iMac.
Also, I do not know if this is related, but the computers are running very slowly as well.
Additionally, before all of this, our Contact data, sync with Mobile Me, tripled in size with duplicates and jumbled messages.
Seemed like a cascade of failures beginning with contacts and ending with the memory error.
I have tried Applejack several times to no avail.
Any one have any ideas? Thanks.

iMac, MacPro, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 2, 2011 12:19 PM

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Answer 1

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Mar 2, 2011 2:46 PM in response to acdc

first my iMac, then my Mac Pro
I have over 50% available in HD space on the iMac.

What about the Mac Pro? How large is your hard drive on both computers?

"Your mac os x startup disk has no more space available for application memory"

Is FileVault enabled?

have tried Applejack several times to no avail.

Have you tried using _Disk Utility from your install disc?_
Did you run Apple's Hardware Test?
Did you disconnect all peripherals except for the keyboard & mice while troubleshooting?

the computers are running very slowly as well.

Check the items in the Login Items. Delete or disable all you do not need.

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Answer 2

acdc Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 5, 2011 7:50 PM in response to CMCSK

CMCSK wrote:

first my iMac, then my Mac Pro
I have over 50% available in HD space on the iMac.

What about the Mac Pro? How large is your hard drive on both computers?

Problem first appeared on the iMac, then the MacPro starting giving the same error.
MacPro 999.5 GB total, 277 GB available
iMac 499.76 GB total, 214 GB available

"Your mac os x startup disk has no more space available for application memory"

Is FileVault enabled?

Never (unless it turned on itself)

have tried Applejack several times to no avail.

Have you tried using _Disk Utility from your install disc?_

From the HD, but not from from install disk. I will dig it out and try it.

Did you run Apple's Hardware Test?

Where do I find this?

Did you disconnect all peripherals except for the keyboard & mice while troubleshooting?

I did not since I am having the same problem on 2 different computers.

the computers are running very slowly as well.

Check the items in the Login Items. Delete or disable all you do not need.

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Answer 3

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Mar 6, 2011 3:46 PM in response to acdc

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

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