Expert: Arthur Naman - 3/8/2008

Question
I cant handle this anymore! It's been doing this for the last several days and have lost so much sleep over this. I can't keep missing deadlines for work b/c of this- please help me. OO forums are not responding to me.

STATS:
File: 6.3 MB (40 pages, 64 graphics) but I've used it many times in the past just fine. It only happens sometimes but dozens of people depend on me to send this document monthly and I cant be late sending it.

OO Version: 2.3 (I deleted 2.1 and 2.2 installation files, but it has opened and worked fine since I did that, so if this might contribute to the issue plz inform me)

Does StarOffice have these same issues? I've never experienced such a thing in Microsoft.

System: MSft windows XP professional 2002 5.1 HP physical memory 512MB virtual: 2 GB (Wouldnt this mean my total computer memory capacity is 2.5 GB? If so, why does it say 504MB of RAM?
C Drive: 61.8GB capacity (13.7GB free space..is this by the way a good number? cpu is slow. Will 2*1GB help?

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, I really appreciate it.

Answer
Star Office - I used this software years ago when OO was at a beta version, pre-v 1.0. I have not used it since. I expect that the code is the same with only additional features added (which is why it costs to purchase).

Memory: I suspect that your memory is low. The issue is the physical memory, 512. Upping the memory may likely be the key - up to 2 gig given the size file you are working on. Your total memory is not relevant in this case.  Although the paging file could be increased; I do not think that is the problem. Your total memory capacity is only 512, the additional is using as for paging files - memory is swapped in and out of real memory, stored in the paging files. If there is not enough physical memory, the additional virtual memory will not solve the problem.

I am using OO v 2.2 not having taken the time to upgrade. I am not aware of any problems with v 2.3, but I have not recently spent time reviewing the forums which it appears you have. I expect that is not the problem.

Do you clean up your computer? Delete the temporary files, cookies, etc. And, most important, run a disk defrag? If so that is a MUST. Probably at least monthly although I often do it more frequently when I think about it.

You might uninstall and reinstall OO. If there was, or is, a corrupted file. I do not think this is a problem as you are using OO v 2.3 and only have a problem with this one rather large file.

I would encourage you to find another means to send the file to people. Many people have a limit to the size of an attached file to 1 or 2 gig. There are public and private ftp sites which can be used for this purpose. Ask me about this via allexperts if you need this information.  Sending files this large may, in and of itself, cause the recipient problems.

Yes, Microsoft programs can freeze and have problems just like any other software. I would also suspect that the problem is not that OO is "freezing" but due to the large file size require a significant amount of time to process when you do something. If the software still freezes, I would let it sit, like for an hour, before concluding that it is "frozen".

Conclusion: up the physical memory to 2 gig.

Let me know if you still have questions, or if that does not work.