PAGING=OFF May Cause Error: "Insufficient Memory to Run..." (87139)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q87139

SYMPTOMS

One of the following error messages may occur when you select a non-Windows application in 386 enhanced mode:
Insufficient memory to run application. Quit one or more applications, or free up disk space, to increase available memory. Then try again.

-or-

Insufficient memory for application's required space. Decrease PIF KB required, or quit one or more applications, or free up disk space, to increase available memory. Then try again.

RESOLUTION

If PAGING=OFF is in the [386enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file, removing this line may allow non-Windows applications to run without these error messages.

MORE INFORMATION

PAGING=(Boolean) enables (on) or disables (off) demand paging (virtual memory), and permanent and temporary swap files. This setting is enabled by default. It may be disabled if disk space is needed.

In some instances, PAGING is disabled for troubleshooting the inability to run Windows in 386 enhanced mode. If reversing this setting prevents you from running in 386 enhanced mode, PAGING must be disabled again.

Windows 3.1

In Windows 3.1, this setting can be modified by doing the following:

  1. Run Control Panel and choose the 386 Enhanced icon.
  2. Choose the Virtual Memory button.
  3. Choose the Change button.
  4. From the New Setting group box, select None from the Type list box. PAGING will be disabled.
In Windows 3.0, this setting can only be modified by manually adding the line PAGING= to the [386enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB87139
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.