Could not complete the command because there is not enough memory (RAM) [Feb 2010]

[RockerDown_Studios]

Hi Folks:

I am running into an error (Could not complete the command because there is not enough memory (RAM)) when trying to open any file of any size or any format.on my Mac.

This error occurs when:

1. No other applications or files are open
2. Upon a fresh reboot
3. After Repairing Disk Permissions
4. The files can be opened by Fireworks and other image editor apps or video apps

My SPECS:

1. OSX 10.5.8
2. 4GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
3. 120.41 GB Free space available
4. Graphics: GeForce 8600M GT - VRAM 512 MB

PhotoShop settings:

1. Available RAM 3072 - Let PS use 90% (2764)

I really appreciate the help.

[Lundberg02]

You have not identified your Mac, nor have you identified where your scratch disk is  or how much space is allocated to it. That has to be your problem.

[RockerDown_Studios]

I have a MacBook Pro

The scratch disks are the Mac HD with 120 GB left open on it AND an external FW drive with 582 GB left on it.

Does this help?

[Guest]

You should probably try refreshing your Photoshop preferences, as described in the FAQs.

[RockerDown_Studios]

Thanks, Mariann - can you point me to where the FAQs are on this? I've not found anything relating to my issue previously which is why I made the post. I've found similar issues - but not this one in particular.

[Guest]

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/370739?tstart=0

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/370735?tstart=0

[Lundberg02]

Read up on RAM allocation and scratch disk setting.

[rdstokes]

13 years after this post originated and I think I have the solution!

The RAM error has been a major problem with our Photoshop installs over the past 2 years, more specifically CC2021 and CC2022. I have ONE situation where I can reproduce the error. The solution I found was to delete the folder at Macintosh HD:Library:Application Support:Adobe:caps. Just the mere existance of the "caps" folder causes this RAM error. The caps folder has 4 files in it but removing the files does not make a difference. Only REMOVING the caps folder makes the problem go away! Yay!

Unfortunately, the caps folder will re-appear in the future. I don't know why but I suspect it reoccurs during a CC update. So I go back into our computers and delete the caps folder anytime I get my hands on one of our Macs.

I have no idea what the purpose of the caps folder is but deleting it doesn't seem to adversely affect any apps in Creative Cloud.

I have just installed CC2023. With a known bad caps folder existing, Photoshop 2023 does not reproduce the one error I can instigate. MAYBE, the problem has been resolved. Let's hope so.

Rob

[jane-e]

@rdstokes 

Hi RD,

You responded to a thread from 2010 (two months before CS5 was released) and system specs have changed. Deleting the caps folder is not a recommended way to deal with not having enough RAM and you have given misguided advice. This thread is now locked.

If you are having a problem with RAM, please start a new thread so we can better assist.

Jane

[davescm]

rdstokes said 'I have no idea what the purpose of the caps folder is but deleting it doesn't seem to adversely affect any apps in Creative Cloud.'

Deleting the caps folder does make a difference. The files within it are used by other apps not just Photoshop. We have seen cases of uninstall issues with Acrobat due to that caps folder being deleted. It can also lead to Error 105 issues on updates and installing other apps.

I would never advise people to delete common application files when you do not know what those files do.

The safest way to overcome corruption in an installation is to uninstall then use the CC Cleaner Application to safely remove unnecessary files, then reinstall.

Dave