When trying to preview and print in Microsoft Works 7, I just got the dreaded “Out of Memory” error message. I am really upset about it because I only use Works two or three times a year and keep forgetting about this issue when printing spreadsheets and databases; you may be upset because you have to deal with it more frequently.
If you deal with it more frequently, you know the issue and have probably a work-around – or dealt with it by buying a new version of Works. If you don’t – here’s the problem and the solution:
Microsoft Works doesn’t like your printer driver. Not your printer, but your printer driver. You can read more about it on this Microsoft webpage.
They recommend to
- Update your printer driver
- Make it your default printer
- and if that doesn’t work, use another driver that may work with your printer
Now, if you need to print very frequently with Works, you may go through the available long list of printers and try which one can “emulate” yours. But what if you don’t?
I have a handy little PDF maker on my system. It is from the guys over at PDF995.com and it is their program – you guessed it – PDF995.
It is always handy to have a (free) PDF creator on your system, and the nice part about this one is that Microsoft Works likes it. So – I just set PDF995 as my default printer, make all the prints I need – creating PDFs from it – and then I print these PDFs on the printer I wanted to use in the first place.
It’s a work-around and probably won’t work for you if you constantly need to print from Works, but it is a good workaround for the occasional print.
Mark Krieger helps organizations and individuals to create systems for success, both on the IT and operations side and implement strategies for financial well-being. www.makbiz.ca
I have MS Works 8.0 and a HP Photosmart 2600 series printer. I’ve been having the ‘Out of memory’ problem since I upgraded to Win 10. Your PDF workaround works fine for me. Many thanks.