non start up solution

[vanessajw]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

I found after months of non starter with all accept word, that the problem was the lack of memory. When I moved 25Gigs of itunes to an external drive, my memory increased back to 42Gigs. Only then did my Office return to normal usage and everything opened!!

So check there is enough memory space, it doesn't say that anywhere. I was down to 17 Gigs. Clearly not enough.

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Vanessa;

Thanks for sharing your solution The concept is absolutely correct, but
the terminology is a bit off: You're actually referring to "free Hard Disk
space" (storage), not "memory".

A principle of any operating system is that a certain portion [approximately
10-20%] of the Hard Drive must be available in order for the OS & programs
to operate properly. If there isn't sufficient free disk space the software
can't write the necessary temporary files they require when in use.

"Memory" refers to RAM [Random Access Memory], which is not the same thing
although it is related... A certain amount of RAM also is required in order
to run the OS & your programs. The less RAM the computer has above that
minimum the more free disk space must be available.

As you found out, it's a good idea to delete unneeded content from your HD
in order to maximize the amount of available free space. In fact, I store
very little in the way of user files on my primary HD -- it's used almost
exclusively for the OS & applications, plus a few documents currently in
use. The vast majority of my user files, images, etc. are stored on a second
HD or archived to other media such as CDs & DVDs. As a result, the 160GB HD
that came with the system still has more than 90GB free space.

Again, thanks for the info -- I'm sure others can benefit from your
experience.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac