Computer Runs Out of Virtual Address Storage Space When Many Structured Storage Files Are Open

When you open structured storage files by using a third-party program, the computer eventually runs out of virtual address storage space.

This behavior can occur because, depending on which service pack is installed, OLE reserves from 2 to 4 megabytes (MB) of virtual memory for each open file. Service packs allocate 4 MB for each open file; about half of the 2 gigabytes (GB) of user address space is reserved when 250 files are open.

An example of this behavior is that SolidWorks 2000, which is a computer-aided design (CAD) program, runs out of address space because OLE reserves 4 MB of address space for each file, even though the file size is less than 4 MB.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2.

If you open more than 250 files, OLE switches to a different scheme that does not use as much memory.

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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