Adjusting the memory allocation for the Classic environment
Some Mac OS 9 applications make use of "temporary memory" on your hard disk in order to work faster. When you start the Classic environment, Mac OS X sets aside a temporary memory area for the use of Mac OS 9 applications. The default size of the temporary memory area is about 128 MB (less on computers with less than 128 MB of RAM). Some applications may need more than the default amount of temporary memory.
On the other hand, increasing the size of temporary memory decreases the amount of memory that's available for applications. Some Mac OS 9 applications work best if the temporary memory size is reduced to free up more memory for the application.
If you know that your application needs more than the default amount of temporary memory, or more application memory, you can change the temporary memory size in Classic preferences.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Classic.
- Hold down the Option key, and then click Memory/Versions.
- Click the Adjust Memory button.
- Drag the memory allocation slider to the right to increase the size of temporary memory or drag it to the left to decrease it.
You can adjust the temporary memory allocation from about 48 MB to about 512 MB.
- To restore the default size of the temporary memory, click Default.
- Click Apply.
If the Classic environment is running, you must stop it and restart it for this setting to take effect.
IMPORTANT: Finding the optimum ratio of temporary memory and application memory can be tricky because there are many factors that affect it. It's a good idea not to change the temporary memory size unless you are confident you need to.
