Loss of Windows Resources with PostScript Driver Version 3.5

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c
• Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1

SUMMARY

If you are running Word for Windows in the Windows operating system version 3.1 with the Windows PostScript printer driver version 3.5 or 3.51, you may experience a rapid, spontaneous loss of Windows resources from the user heap. This problem occurs in multiple-section documents that are formatted with both portrait and landscape orientation. When the Windows resources are depleted, you receive an "Out of Memory" error message.

MORE INFORMATION

If you create a multiple-section Word for Windows document and your default printer driver is the PostScript driver version 3.5 or 3.51, Windows 3.1 may begin to lose resources if you format the sections for a mixture of portrait and landscape orientation. This depletion continues until Windows has no resources left. This depletion appears to occur faster in normal view than in page layout view. When Word for Windows asks the printer driver for information to redraw the screen (this occurs when you move the insertion point across a section break), the driver uses memory but does not mark it for deletion. This prematurely fills the stack and depletes the Windows system resources.

To check the available system resources, activate the Program Manager, and choose About Program Manager from the Help menu.

After the Windows system resources are depleted, you receive "Out of Memory" messages in Word for Windows in response to any action. Word does allow you to save your document; if the document has not yet been saved, it is named RESCUE.DOC. (There are not enough resources to display the Save As dialog box.) When you exit Word for Windows, the Windows resources are restored.

This problem was corrected in version 3.53. To obtain the latest PostScript driver call Microsoft Customer Support or call the Microsoft Download Service at (425) 936-6735. For more information about the MSDL, query on "Instructions for Using the Microsoft Download Service" in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Workaround

To work around this problem, activate a different printer when you work on multiple-orientation documents. A good alternative is the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet Series II. If you are using TrueType fonts, your formatting should not be affected by changing to the HP III driver. When you are ready to print the document, switch back to the PostScript printer driver.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, page 213

"Microsoft Windows Resource Kit," version 3.1, pages 250-251, 442