by , 8:00 AM EST, December 17th, 2002

Do you have a G4 Mac with 1.5 GB of RAM? If so, you can run a boat-load of apps all at once in OS X, and your Mac won't even sweat, right? For some people, apparently, just getting some apps to load is a problem; certain apps will complain that your maxed-out Mac doesn't have enough memory. How is that possible, you wonder after attempting to install the errant app for the ump-teenth time?

According to Apple, the fault does not lie with your Mac or OS X, it's the app itself that's the problem. Apple has released a Knowledge Base Document which offers some insight into the problem, and what you can do about it. From Apple:

Symptom

Application programs may not recognize the installed memory correctly and may report that more memory is required. One example alert is "This system does not have enough memory." Applications may quit unexpectedly or produce other errors that are resolved if you reduce the amount of installed memory to 1.5 GB or less.

Products affected

• Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
• Mac OS X

Solution

Mac OS X allows Macintosh computers with four memory card (DIMM) slots that can accommodate 512 MB DIMMs to utilize more than 1.5 GB of memory. Some software, including both applications and installers, may not be able to recognize the additional memory, or incorrectly report that only a minimal amount of memory is installed.

The computer and Mac OS X are operating correctly. A change in Mac OS X to attempt to correct this would likely cause applications that are working correctly to behave in unexpected ways.

Possible steps to resolve the issue:

• Contact the software developer to see if there is an updated version of the software available or get other recommendations.
• For installers, some may have only a Quit option while others may also include an option to "Install anyway." Try choosing "Install anyway" if it is an available option.
• Some software may come with an installer that works in Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. If this is the case, and it's the installer that is producing the alert, try installing while the computer is started up with Mac OS 9. Depending on the software, you may be able to use the software in Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.
• While waiting for a software update to be available, temporarily removing a DIMM may be necessary to use or install the software.
• If the software can also work in Mac OS 9, then it may work when started in Mac OS 9 or possibly as a Classic application (if the Get Info window has a checkbox to "Open in the Classic environment").

You can find the full article at Apple's Knowledge Base.

The Mac Observer Spin:

1. Apple has acknowledged the problem, thus keeping firm the face it wants to present its public that it is a company that listens and responds to the concerns of its customers.
2. Rightly or wrongly, Apple has apparently tested the affected Macs and OS X enough to feel confident that the problem isn't Apple's. Of course, stating as much doesn't necessarily help the end user fix the problem.

The problem is that in many situations such as these, a finger-pointing war can break out, and the first casualties are always the end users. We hope Apple is also putting pressure on the vendors of the problem apps so that a real resolution is forthcoming.

Apple KBase G4 App/Memory Problem Article