Allocating Ram to programs

[BlackOctopus]

How much ram should be allocated to music applications, such as iTunes, Pro Tools LE, Propellerheads Reason 2.0 etc..? I just upgraded to 640MB of ram for my iMac so i need to know how much to assign to these main programs. I am guessing that they are the ones that get used the most running music on the Mac. If there is any other advice out there also on how to stop freezes. I have memory to burn now :)

One other question. I am unable to open PDF files from my yahoo email account. It says "an internal error has occurred" followed by " An error occurred while loading the plugin PDF viewer"...no other hepful info about how to fix this is offered..any ideas? Thanks

[cmchamp]

I would leave each of them alone. iTunes doesn't need a lot of RAM. ProTools and Reason, I believe, opperate much on the same principle as Digital Performer. That being, use the recommended allocation and the application uses the remainder of the ram for processing EFX, plug-ins, and softsynth sounds. If you up the allocated memory, there's less ram for processing.

Regarding PDF files, do you have AdobeAcrobat? If so, in your internet preferences, do you have it set as your default reader?

[BlackOctopus]

Thanks again Cory. I will follow that advice regarding Ram. It's strange though, Apple told be to double the allocated memory in itunes! I see your point though about needing the ram to process the sounds..

The PDF thing is strange. No problem opening PDF's on the HD, but i get those error messages when i try to open a PDF in the internet explorer browser..
I have Acrobat Reader 5.0 on my HD which works ok.
One thing i noticed is the PFD viewer plug ins on my mac are 'Netscape' documents...!?
I tried copying the plug in viewer from the acrobat 5.0 plug in folder, to the explorer plug in folder. - didn't work. same messages. They are both named Netscape plug ins.

Sorry for posting non music questions here -:p
Simon

[cmchamp]

Not a problem. These days, there's a lot of PDF documentation with music software, so it fits. Have you tried deleting Netscape, then downloading Acrobat Reader again? A bit time consuming, but it might work. Prior to that, you could also delete the Acrobat Preferences from the preference folder.

[chrisd]

Regarding the problem with opening PDF files in Explorer - I had the exact same problem and this site helped me get things set up right.

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/93f2.htm

Hope it helps.

Chris

[BlackOctopus]

Thanks chrisd - that worked a treat...that problem solved, though i am starting to think i have bought a 'rogue' iMac..it really is giving me grief!
I have had it a month, and it has crashed over 25 times..maybe more! The problem with the arrow on the screen controlled by the mouse even confused apple's tech people! Basically..(i'm off on one now..) the arrow moves to the corner of the screen by itself..usually happens when closing off an application, and happens more when i am online also..i will click the corner box to close a window - and as soon as the window collapses and closes, the arrow flies off to the bottom left corner or whatever!!
I trashed the mouse preferences doing a system check with Apple on the phone, they sent me a new mouse which i plugged in today..hoping that this would sort out the problem...but..unless my eyes are playing tricks on me..the arrow ran off to the corner once already...this isn't good because there is no pattern to it..it will do this even if i am dragging a document in the middle of the screen or editing audio files in detail - suddenly it is gone - only to be found lurking in the corner of the screen..(does the arrow not like it's new home?)..so i have to 'go and get' the document....click..click..click...
Anyone else ever had this problem? I have to laugh to myself...! a $1500 that does this..?

[cmchamp]

Simon:
Check out the Apple Discussion Groups. It's been a few days since I've been there due to a new birth in the family, but I'll go sometime today. You can search on "Mouse" in the iMac section, or the OS9 section as this may be an OS issue rather than a hardware issue.

C.

[PhilipRay]

Well As far as he memory allocation on the imac, I would suggest as follws:

ITunes: This program is generally used for music playback, cd burning (I'd rather use toast), and converting from file format to another like going from AIFF to MP3.. ITunes does not require that much. You can use Double the amount as apple suggest because you have so much ram. But generally, id just make it about 11000 or so. It defaults to 8179 or somethin' like that. Butyou have a lot of ram, so you have some freed with this. Just NEVER go below what is suggested in the memory panel.

As far as all your other ones...um...that depends on what you'll be doing. If you You are gonna have like five applications open at one time you wanna be more selective as to how much you allocate to each. cause if there isnt enough to go around, ur gonna get some crashes. What i do is elevate the memory as needed. If I find its running slow or somethin I will quit the program and increase it. For example, cubase will tell you if it is running "Dangerously low" on memeory. Most programs will.

Sorry if I'm a little late responding.....but I hope it helped out.