Excel Err Msg: "Out of Memory" Printing a Chart to Dot Matrix

 Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q96734

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
  • Microsoft Windows version 3.1

SUMMARY

If you are using Microsoft Excel with Microsoft Windows version 3.1, you may receive one or both of the following error messages when you attempt to print a chart to any type of dot matrix printer: 

   Out of Memory

   -or-

   Error Printing to <Printer Name> on <Port>
Alternatively, you may not receive an error message, but your printed document may be blank.

These error messages or blank printer output occur when the Windows printer driver is low on memory and is unable to create the bitmapped image of the chart.

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are running Microsoft Windows in standard mode, this problem may occur if your machine has 4 megabytes (MB) or less of RAM and a low amount of contiguous hard drive space. In order to print your chart, you will need to increase your contiguous hard drive space by removing as many unnecessary applications and files as possible and then compressing your drive using a disk compression application.

In enhanced mode, this problem may occur if you have a small permanent swapfile (1 MB or less), or a temporary swapfile that is small due to a low amount of contiguous, available hard drive space. To increase the size of the permanent swapfile:

  1. In the Control Panel, choose the 386 Enhanced icon.

  2. Choose the Virtual Memory button to display your current swapfile settings.

  3. Choose the Change button to display the recommended maximum swapfile size.

  4. Adjust the size of your file.

If you are unable to increase the size of your swapfile because it is already set to the maximum size, you may have little available drive space. Or, if you have a temporary swapfile that is forcibly small for the same reason, the solution, for either type of swapfile, is to free as much drive space as possible and then compress your hard drive. After completing this process, you can then increase your permanent swapfile size. Your temporary swapfile will automatically increase as needed.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.10, pages 533-537

KBCategory: kbprint
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 3.00 4.00 epson citizen panasonic okidata
tandy ibm star diconix nec 3.10 3.1 errmsg



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Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
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