note BrowserUk <blockquote><i>A 32-bit OS should be able to handle all 4GB.</i></blockquote> <p>That's not so. 32-bit windows only make 2GB of virtual memory available to each process; the other 2GB is reserved for use by the OS. <p>That can be extended to 3GB using a [http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124810(v=exchg.65).aspx|startup switch], but then executables need to be re-built with a link time option to make use of it. <blockquote><i>"Out of memory" error. Checking the Windows Task Manager I see that Perl is only using around 1GB.</i></blockquote> <P>It sounds like the program is trying to extend a hash that currently has consuming at or close to 1GB of data; When perl needs to extend a hash, it doubles the size of the base element; that may well be pushing you over the 2GB limit; hence you run out of memory. <div class="pmsig"><div class="pmsig-171588"> <hr /> <font size=1 > <div>With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'</div> <div>Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.</div> <div>"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". </div> <div>In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. </div> </font> </div></div> 1016362 1016362