Memory Overflow Error Message Printing to HP III Compatible

 Last reviewed: May 22, 1995
Article ID: Q92484
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

You may receive a memory overflow error message when you print to a Hewlett- Packard (HP) LaserJet III compatible printer. This error occurs when the printer has 512 kilobyte (K) memory, and the Windows printer driver attempts to exceed the printer's memory.

CAUSE

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet III printers come with 1 megabyte (MB) RAM standard while some clones of this printer come with only 512K. Because the LaserJet III printer's minimum memory requirement is 1 MB, the Windows printer driver's minimum setting in Control Panel is 1MB.

STATUS

This functionality is by design; Microsoft has no plans to change this in the future.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the MemReserve= setting in the [modelname, port] section of the WIN.INI file. For example: 

   [HP LaserJet III,LPT1]
   MemReserve=512
The PRINTERS.WRI file incorrectly states in the "Configuring Memory on PCL Printers" section that you should add the MemReserve= setting to the [drv name, port] section of the WIN.INI file.

KBCategory: kbprint kb3rdparty kbhw kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 clone hp lj ljiii docerr

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Last reviewed: May 22, 1995
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