MS Office Programs Start Slowly on System 7.5.2 with VM On

• Apple Macintosh System Software version 7.5.2

SYMPTOMS

Power Macintosh programs start slowly on certain classes of Power Macintosh computers that run System 7.5.2 with virtual memory (VM) enabled.

CAUSE

When you start a Power Macintosh program on a Power Macintosh that is running System 7.5.2 with VM enabled, the Code Fragment Manager (CFM) unnecessarily clears the cache of program code information. Because the information must be reloaded again before the program can start, the start up time takes longer than expected.

This problem is due to a lack of optimization between the Read Only Memory (ROM) chips in some classes of Power Macintosh computers, most notably, machines with a 603 or 604 processor, and the CFM that ships with System 7.5.2. This problem may also occur on a Power Macintosh computer with a 601 processor.

STATUS

Apple has confirmed that this behavior is due to a problem in the Macintosh Operating System CFM that ships with System 7.5.2. Apple has released update 7.5.3 which includes a new CFM that will improve a program's performance when it is started.

The update is available on the Apple World Wide Web site at http://www.apple.com. or by calling Apple's toll-free support number at (800)SOS-APPL (767-2775) for Operating System technical support. Apple offers toll-free support to all Macintosh users in the United States, from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

MORE INFORMATION

When you start a Power Macintosh program on a Power Macintosh with VM enabled, the system can juggle fragments of program and library code. When VM is disabled, the system must load all the program code at start up time. In a technique called file mapping, the system uses VM to divide the code into segments and swap these segments into memory when they are needed. This process results in more efficient handling of memory because only code that is needed is swapped into memory when VM is on.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120506
   TITLE     : How Virtual Memory Works on a Power Macintosh

The following Macintosh models have a 603 or a 604 processor:

   Model        Processor
   ----------------------

   5200           603
   6200           603
   9500           604
   8500           604

REFERENCES

"Additional Tips and Troubleshooting," (supplied with every Power Macintosh), Chapter 1, pages 1-5

"Power Macintosh Native Environment Description," Tech Info Library, AppleLink

"Macintosh Reference," (supplied with every Power Macintosh), Chapter 5, "Using Hard Disk Space as Memory"