[comp.sys.mac.system] Hitting an open file limit

avcomp@aero.org (Allen V. Compito) (06/03/91)

Got a big problem,

I'm having problems running into some sort of system or finder
file handle limit.  Frequently, when I've got several
applications open and try to open another application
I get a dialog box telling me that xxxx can't open it's
files because I have too many files open.  Another related
problem is when I try to or do background printing with
PrintMonitor.  I get a PrintMonitor error telling me that
"unknown from unknown cannot be printed because it's damaged".
If I close up a file or two or quit an application, the
problem goes away and I can print the document.
Usually, when this happens I have 4-6 files open 
directly (don't know how many the applications open for 
themselves).

I've got plenty of RAM free (I looked with "about finder") and 
I've used Heapfixer to up my system Heap and I've allocated 400 K 
to finder.  I've set my open window limit to 40 windows (yeah a lot, 
but I REALLY multi-task).  I've looked far and wide to find out where 
this file limit is set, with no luck.  Is it in the finder or the 
system file ?  I've used ResEdit to look at them, but I can't find 
anything that seems to set the limit.  I'm having the problem mostly 
when using Nisus 3.05 (2.2 Mb allocated), Expressionist 2.07 (512K 
allocated), and Hypercard(1.2 Mb) allocated.
  
My system and finder take up 2 Mb.  I've got 8 Mb in my SE/30 
running system 6.0.3 and finder 6.1.  Yeah I know, sys 7.0, 
sys 7.0.  I already got my copy, but I'm turning in the  first 
draft of my dissertation in a week --- if It ain't broke ...
DON'T BREAK IT :-).

REEKES@applelink.apple.com (Jim Reekes) (06/04/91)

In article <1991Jun2.230837.1068@aero.org>, avcomp@aero.org (Allen V. Compito) writes:
> 
> I'm having problems running into some sort of system or finder
> file handle limit.  Frequently, when I've got several
> applications open and try to open another application
> I get a dialog box telling me that xxxx can't open it's
> files because I have too many files open. 
>   
> My system and finder take up 2 Mb.  I've got 8 Mb in my SE/30 
> running system 6.0.3 and finder 6.1.  Yeah I know, sys 7.0, 
> sys 7.0.  I already got my copy, but I'm turning in the  first 
> draft of my dissertation in a week --- if It ain't broke ...
> DON'T BREAK IT :-).


Here's your chance to fix it.  In System 6.0x the maximum number of
files that can be opened is 40.  If you go into MacsBug and type FILE, it
will list all the open files.  Once you reach 40, you're done.
This limitation was fixed in System 7.  There's no more limit.  So, you
can now upgrade to System 7 with a reason.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Reekes, E.O.             |     Macintosh Toolbox Engineering
                             |          Sound Manger Expert
Apple Computer, Inc.         | "All opinions expressed are mine, and do
20525 Mariani Ave. MS: 81-EQ |   not necessarily represent those of my
Cupertino, CA 95014          |       employer, Apple Computer Inc."

awessels@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Wessels) (06/04/91)

In article <13864@goofy.Apple.COM> REEKES@applelink.apple.com (Jim Reekes) writes:

>Here's your chance to fix it.  In System 6.0x the maximum number of
>files that can be opened is 40.  If you go into MacsBug and type FILE, it
>will list all the open files.  Once you reach 40, you're done.
>This limitation was fixed in System 7.  There's no more limit.  So, you
>can now upgrade to System 7 with a reason.

That, or he can apply any of the numerous utilities that can extend this 
SETTING in the boot blocks of 6.0.x.  SuitCase II, any decent disk editor,
and BootMan all can handle this.  The default setting is 10, I think, and this
translate to 40 open files.  I usually run with more than that because I
like to organize fonts, DAs, FKEYs, and sound files in multiple suitcase 
files.