Thanks to all who responded my question with heplful suggestions. Actually I don't think my file is really big, it's only 44,908KB(ASCII file). My virtual memory is enough for processing this file. I'm attempting to convert this ASCII file to SPSS using Text Import Wiard following the steps from 1 to 6, a little while after I click the finish at the last step, the data editor was shut down automatically, there are no any error message. I read it from ACCESS, it looks fine and no problem at all. I saved it as ASCII file under ACCESS and read from SPSS again, the same problem happened again. I use Window2000, only one hard drive in my this computer and both SPSS11.0 and 11.5 installed, I have encountered the same problem no matter which version I used. There is 4.31GB free space in C drive. Only this file cause data editor shutting down. I also send email to SPSS techincal support and hopefully get answer from them.

Thanks again for all of you!

Nan

-----Original Message----- From: Richard J. Reeves [mailto:rr223@cornell.edu] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 11:17 AM To: Nan Li Subject: Re: Problems with reading big SPSS files

Hi Nan,

I am assuming you are in windows. How is your virtual memory? Do you have enough (at least 2x the size of the data file)? Do you allow it (virtual memory) to grow when needed?

If you do have enough virtual memory consider putting all your virtual memory on another disk (d drive) defragmenting the c drive and then putting the memory back on there. If you only have one disk try to remove the virtual memory and run a defrag and then put the virtual memory back on there.

In short, SPSS has trouble when it runs out of virtual memory or your virtual memory is really defragemented. rich

PS if you don't know a lot about virtual memory you can see your settings by right clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop and selecting Properties. Then select advanced. Then select performance options. Then change for virtual memory. (this tree is for win2000).

At 10:55 AM 4/15/2003 -02-30, you wrote: >Hi all, > >When I read very big SPSS files, usually over one million records, the spss >window is shut down automatically. I have spss11.0 and 11.5 in my computer. >both of them have the same problem. It's ok to read small files. Does anyone >know what's wrong with it? I have enough space in my C drive. Any ideas are >welcome. Thanks! > >Nan