ACC: "Out of Memory" Error Messages with Database Wizards

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you use a Database Wizard to create a new database in Microsoft Access 97 or 7.0 on a computer running Windows 95 with limited virtual memory available, you may receive one of the following error messages:

• There is not enough memory to perform this operation. Close unneeded applications and then try the operation again.
  
  -or-



• There was a problem building a form or report.
  
  -or-



• There was an unexpected error creating a table.
  
  -or-



• There was an unexpected error displaying a form or report style.

CAUSE

Some of the Database Wizards require 40 megabytes (MB) of combined actual random access memory (RAM) and hard drive space reserved for virtual memory. If the computer is using the default settings for Windows virtual memory and has adequate free hard disk space, then the error should not occur. The error messages can occur if you set a value for virtual memory that is too small or if the hard disk drive selected for virtual memory does not have enough free disk space available.

NOTE: You may also receive one of the errors mentioned in the "Symptoms" section if you have not set a default printer for your application.

RESOLUTION

The total combined RAM and virtual memory should be greater than 40 MB.

If the hard disk drive you are using for virtual memory has very little free space available, try one of the following methods to gain access to more total virtual memory:

• Free up more space on the hard disk drive by either moving files to another drive or deleting files that you no longer need.



• Use another drive that has more available free space for the virtual memory.



• Install more RAM so that the total virtual memory, RAM, plus available hard disk drive space, is greater than 40 MB.

1. On the Windows 95 desktop, using the right mouse button (right-click), click the MyComputer icon, and then click Properties.



2. Click the Performance Tab.



3. Click the Virtual Memory button.



4. Click to select the option, "Let me specify my own settings."



5. Select the drive that you will use for virtual memory.



6. Enter the Minimum and Maximum values for the amount of memory to allocate to virtual memory.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. On the Windows 95 desktop, right-click MyComputer, and then click Properties.



2. Click the Performance tab.



3. Click Virtual Memory.



4. Click to select the option, "Let me specify my own settings."



5. Set the Maximum setting to < = 16.



6. Restart the computer.



7. Open Microsoft Access.



8. On the File menu, click New Database.



9. In the New dialog box, click the Databases tab, click the Time And Billing.mdz icon, and then click OK.



10. In the Time And Billing Database Wizard, proceed through the dialog boxes, accepting the defaults. Note that when Microsoft Access builds the database structure, it will run out of memory and terminate with one of the error messages mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

REFERENCES

For more information about the virtual-memory swap file, search the Help Index for "memory, optimizing performance" or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

Keywords          : kberrmsg WzOthr 
Version           : 7.0 97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: April 20, 1999