Error Message: Program Memory Is Very Low

ID: Q162475

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows CE version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to perform an action on your Handheld PC (H/PC), you may receive the following message:

   Program memory is very low. You must select at least one task to close,
   or increase the amount of program memory, if available.

• Your H/PC stops responding. Although Task Manager may open when you press CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE, your H/PC may not be able to close programs and refresh the screen properly.
• You are prompted to save your changes. If you attempt to save the file, you receive the following message:

        The application is not responding. It may be busy or waiting for a
        response from you. Press Wait to give the application time to
        respond or to get a response from you. Press End Task to close the
        application immediately. All unsaved data will be lost. Press Choose
        to select another application or document to close.
  

CAUSE

There is not enough available program memory for Windows CE to perform the attempted action, to save the file, or to display the appropriate dialog boxes.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one or more of the following methods:

• When you receive the "Program memory is very low" error message, close a program or a file that does not need to be saved.
• Tap the "Convert 20K of Storage Memory to Program Memory" check box to select it, and then tap OK. This may free up enough memory to save the changes to your unsaved file.

  NOTE: You may need to perform this step several times, until enough program memory is available.

• Increase available program memory. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Tap the Start button, tap Settings, and then double-tap System.

  2. Tap the Memory tab, move the slider to the left, and then tap OK.

  NOTE: Do not move the slider all the way to the left, as this may cause a lack of available storage memory.

• If you receive an "Application is not responding" error message, tap End Task.

  NOTE: Tapping End Task may result in data loss.

• Press the reset button on your H/PC. Any unsaved information will be lost.

MORE INFORMATION

If you reset your H/PC, temporary files may remain on your H/PC. Microsoft Pocket Word files usually have a .tmp extension and are saved in the My Documents folder. Microsoft Pocket Excel files are usually saved in the root folder as Temp<x>.pxl, where <x> is the number of the temporary file. For more information about dealing with temporary files on your H/PC, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q158494
   TITLE     : Temporary Files Exist After Restarting H/PC

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg wince handheld kbfaq
Version           : 1.00
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: April 30, 1998