Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 11/4/2008

Question
Hi,

OS: Mac OS X 10.5.5
2x2 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Memory: 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM
Software: Illustrator CS3
I've been using Illustrator and Macs over 10 years.

I recently had a clean upgrade on my computer to 10.5.5 and since then I can't save an Illustrator
file as
an eps (it just crashes) or print from a pdf document (it crashes when selecting print). Not sure if the
two
may be related but the eps problem is the main source of frustration. I have also noticed it will crash
when using certain CMYK colours. I have tried various different files including blank documents but
with
no success. I can open old eps files and can save new documents an .ai files (but not directly from an
eps
file).

I've trashed the Illustrator Preferences and reset permissions to no effect. Not sure if it's a conflict,
network or colour profile problem. I manage my fonts through Suitcase Fusion 12.1.7 and only have
about 11 suites open at the moment.

Any help or pointers greatly appreciated.

Kath

Answer
Hi Kath,

This sounds like a standard memory problem (or lack there of).  Try this:

Go to your utilities and open your activity monitor. Check your memory usage.

2 Gigs is actually very minimal for overall system usage. Adobe recommends 1 gig of free space to run AI efficiently (525 is the min.) 10.5.5 takes up much of your 2 gigs and then anything else running takes away as well.

I think if you check your usage, you will find you have very little available for AI to run. Try repairing permissions in the Disk Utility app, and then run AI with nothing else running (including Suitcase).

Thanks

Kevin