Knowledge Base

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

Article ID: 158655

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 for Macintosh

This article was previously published under Q158655

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.

120506 How Virtual Memory Works on a Power Macintosh

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

Keywords: KB158655