Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 9/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: Trying to save a file I get this this message "The operation cannot complete because there isn't enough memory (RAM) available".

I am using Win XP Pro 64-bit, 12 Gb memory, 500 Gb Hard Drive.

Please let me know if you need further info.

Thanks



ANSWER: Hi Jesse,

The first suggestion is to make sure that 1. you have all other applications and utilities shut down. 2. Check the number of fonts that you have installed. Its not always about how much RAM you have in your CPU, but its how much you have available.

Once you do that if you still receive this error, let me know and I can give some more options.


Thanks

Kevin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How much is available?  64bit utilizes all the memory

Apps running at the time...Illustrator and Outlook
Fonts installed... 1106 fonts in C:\Windows\Fonts folder


ANSWER: Hi Jesse,

You can't be using all your memory or you wouldnt be able to start up anything. If you go to your memory control panel you can see the usages and available RAM.  

However, you have a serious amount of fonts installed in your folder and that could be part of the issue. You may need to uninstall or move some of them out of the fonts folder to free up some memory.

Thanks

Kevin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kevin, how many fonts do you recommend?  
Here are the specs on my memory:

Initial size: 2046 mb
Maximum size: 4092 mb

total paging file size for all drives:
Minimum allowed: 16 mb
Recommended:  12286 mb
Currently allocated: 2046 mb

Please advice

Thank you in advance for your professional assistance.

Jesse  

Answer
Hi Jesse,

So really you only have 2 gigs or RAM, not 12. I usually only run about 300 fonts actively. What I would recommend is purchasing a font manager such as Suitcase (www.extensis.com) or Font Xplorer (www.linotype.com). Each is relatively inexpensive but will help manage this in the future.


Thanks

Kevin