Does anyone know how to increase memory in Word? On OS X it should be done dynamically (taken from HD mem,) but I keep getting a message saying "insufficient memory" on a voluminous document I'm working on. Any ideas out there?
PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
How much RAM do you have?
How big is the document?
When MicroSoft gives you that message, it can mean you are short of free space on your hard drive rather than short on RAM. Word likes to make backup files and could easily double the amount of HD space needed for regular storage.
Word writes most temp files to the boot partition so, even if the document is on another larger drive, you could still get that message if your boot drive is short of space.
Highlight your hard drive's icon and do command+i ("Get Info...) to see the stats on your HD's remaining space.
If the free space is low (like under ~15%), see this article:
Hi Klaus,
The word (reg) document is very large, over 850 pp.
I am also using a word "notebook" document (simply because I like the lines) for vocabulary tracks. It has over 110 pp on one "tab."
I have 18GB remaining on my 75GB startup drive and I am storing the document on an external drive of 300GB.
Where do I check RAM on OS X? If the storage space is allocated dynamically then perhaps its a RAM issue.
Or does Word have a certain capacity that I should be aware of?
Thanks so much for your assistance!
don
Hi Allan,
The word (reg) document is very large, over 850 pp.
I am also using a word "notebook" document (simply because I like the lines) for vocabulary tracks. It has over 110 pp on one "tab."
I have 18GB remaining on my 75GB startup drive and I am storing the document on an external drive of 300GB.
Where do I check RAM on OS X? If the storage space is allocated dynamically then perhaps its a RAM issue.
Or does Word have a certain capacity that I should be aware of?
Thanks so much for your assistance! The link was helpful, but I already used OnyX for cleanup.
don
If you click on the Apple icon, top left in your Menu bar, and then About this Mac, that will tell you how much RAM you have.
If it less than 1GB you need more!
'insufficient memory' is a generic message. Says that save or delete failed, so Microsoft concluded the only reason for failure is that the disk filled up henc insufficient memory.
see this thread:
http://www.officeformac.com/ms/ProductForums/Word/6884
I do not believe that more RAM will solve this problem. Look for a permissions problem. Could be word is createing a temp file & got a premissions problem. Did you check ignore permission on the external hd? Try this. Get info on hd & check box at bottom of screen.
Robert
Thanks Robert,
I agree it can't be the RAM if 1.5GB is available, but it shouldn't be the available storage space on the HD either, with over 17 GB remaining. In addition, I am storing the document of an external hard drive of 300 GB.
I figured I could run 1,000 pages without a problem. I could break it up, but I like the continuity associated with scrolling through chapters when editing. Your suggestion of "clicking the box at the bottom" when I bring up the info on the HD pertaining to "permissions" sounds interesting, but do you mean the box that says "Apply to enclosed forms"?? Thanks!
Your suggestion of "clicking the box at the bottom" when I bring up the info on the HD pertaining to "permissions" sounds interesting, but do you mean the box that says "Apply to enclosed forms"?? Thanks!
More details:
-- Click on your external drive
-- command + i
This does a get info.
-- Look at the bottom of the dialog.
-- Verify that you are ignoring permissions.
-- be sure to check Ignore ownership.
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You should check out that Micorsoft forum thread. There is something called "doing the Maggie".
I had the impression that you could divide you document into chapters, but edit all as one. Never done it. Just read about it.
Robert
Does the document include a large number of graphics? Using Get Info, what is the file size?
Cheers, Tom 😉
Thanks Robert, but my HD info box is a it different. The "Ownership & Permissions" are grayed out. Under "Details" I have "owner" and "group" access boxes also grayed out. The only tab available is the "Apply to enclosed items" at the bottom. I purchased this G-5 second-hand for production work, so perhaps that is the reason. I am using Tiger 10.4.11. I have used OnyX and that seems to have helped, but I am only bringing up one document at a time now for fear of it crashing. Shame I have to work this way, but anything with the word "Microsoft" in it is suspect. Thanks!
Thanks for your input Tom. No graphics at all.
Here's two (free) alternate wordprocessors. See if they have the same problem.
NeoOffice http://download.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php
AbiWord http://www.abiword.com/
NeoOffice is equivalent to Microsoft Office. It can open Excel files, Word files & PowerPoint files. You can also create these types of files that can be opened by PC users. AbiWord is just a wordprocessor.
Cheers, Tom 😉
850pp means that you've worked on this document over a period of time. Yes? Anyway, what I have not seen in this thread is whether you have tried "Save as" with a new document name to force out the gremlins. Also, the link to the Office for Mac forum thread that rccharles provided bears attention, especially the last post by John McGhie, who suggested a number of solutions one being "The Maggie" that rccharles also noted.
Anything such as a space, font, paragraph or line break and etc. could be the culprit. You mentioned that you are now working or have open one document at a time. Your "Normal" template could be corrupt. To make a new Normal template, quit all Office applications. Locate the current one at
~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Normal
Name the Normal template something else such as xNormal, oldNormal
Launch MS Word and it will automatically create a new Normal template. You may need to reset your Preferences. Test with new and old documents, saving, quiting etc. It everything works then you can trash your old Normal template document.
HTH
You were looking at your startup drive. The info for the startup drive looks correct.
What does your external drive look like?
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If your using this for a business, you may want to try to find a copy of Leopard & re-install everything from scratch. You will have a more reliable work environment. Coud be old germlins are causing you problems. You could try creating a new user id & run from that. Could be some preference is messed up.
AppleCare Support Phone Number: 1-800-275-2273
open 6am to 6pm Pacific Time
Apple Phone Sales 1-800-692-7753
International Technical Support Numbers
http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html
"You have to call Apple & likely ask for a Product Specialist to get it (Leopard), if they still have it... helps if you tell them you have a new iPhone (iPad) that needs it!"
BDAqua
Robert
How to increase memory in Microsoft Word for Macs
