KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q158655: Mac Encarta 97: May Run Slowly on PowerMacs with Low Memory

Article: Q158655
Product(s): Microsoft Home Multimedia Titles
Version(s): 1997 edition
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 24-MAY-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia for Macintosh 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you run Encarta 97 on a Power Macintosh equipped with only 8 MB of RAM, the
program slows considerably after approximately 30 minutes of use.

CAUSE
=====

This may occur because:

- Encarta is not using the preferred amount of RAM (6144 KB) listed in the
  Preferred Memory field of the Encarta 97 Encyclopedia Info box.

  -or-

- A large amount of the processing Encarta is performing is being done by using
  virtual memory and the hard drive.

RESOLUTION
==========

Increase the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) installed on your computer.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Because Encarta 97 is loaded with features, and because the System Software on a
Macintosh running system 7.x generally consumes between 3 and 5 MB of RAM, the
room left over for Encarta to use is not sufficient for optimal performance. In
addition, programs written in native Power Macintosh code (such as Encarta 97)
are generally larger than non-Power Macintosh because of the increased amount of
instructions needed for RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processors.

Because the amount of RAM left over for Encarta is small, Encarta is forced to do
much of its processing using virtual memory.

For more information on how virtual memory works on a Macintosh, please refer to
the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

  Q120506 How Virtual Memory Works on a Power Macintosh


Additional query words: 1997 multi media multimedia multi-media mmtitles kbmm ppc power mac macmm

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbHWMAC kbOSMAC kbHomeProdSearch kbEncartaSearch kbEncartaEnCyc1997Mac
Version           : :1997 edition

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.