Included in this folder is a small program called "ResizeTheFinder". Its purpose is to fix a problem which only occurs on some PowerPC Macs and PowerPC PowerBooks running System 7.5.5 and the PowerPC version of Control Strip Menu. If, after you install the PowerPC version of Control Strip Menu, you get a message from the Finder stating that there is not enough memory to open your folders, then you will need to either use this program or use the 68K version of Control Strip Menu.
If you decide to use the PowerPC version, follow these steps:
1) make a backup of important files and make sure you have an emergency disk ready in case your system becomes unusable. It is very unlikely that this will happen when "ResizeTheFinder" is used, but it is prudent to be prepared for the worst. It is also recommended that you check the integrity of your system disk before using this program (and a virus check of the disk wouldn't hurt either).
2) restart with virus utilities off
3) quit all open applications
4) turn off file sharing
5) double click "ResizeTheFinder". This will quit the Finder, so don't be surprised if the desktop disappears
6) with the amount shown in the dialog box, add about 25K to it (usually you would increase the size from 185K to 210K)
7) click "OK". If the value entered is OK, then your Finder will be resized
8) wait until the desktop reappears. This can take about a minute. When it appears, your Finder is now resized. You do not need to restart for changes to take effect
9) turn on any utilities of programs that you turned off earlier
Some notes about the program:
- it's not very smart and it doesn't handle errors well
- you are limited to values between 185K and 500K
- it will try to make all open programs quit but it will only wait about 10 seconds for them to quit (that's why you should quit them yourself)
Technical explanation:
With System 7.5.5, PowerPC programs now always link with the math libraries. This means that all PowerPC programs need about 23K more memory than before System 7.5.5. The problem of Control Strip Menu causing "out of memory" messages occurs because Control Strip Menu also uses an extra 23K of memory and this extra 23K is taken from the Finder's memory area. For most PowerPC applications, Apple recommends increasing the memory size, but how do you do this to the Finder? Usually, “you can’t” is the answer since the Finder does not let you change its memory size. That's where this program comes in: it allows you to change the Finder's size and hence solve this problem. (Unfortunately, I don't know of any more elegant solution than this.)
If the problem persists, contact me at <mailto:vtan@mail.usyd.edu.au>.
