Microsoft Paint Program

Hi,
I am trying to troubleshoot an Xp computer that has the Microsoft Paint program...When you click on it to open it, it gives an error message "not enough memory or resources-close some programs and try again "...I have followed the instructions per the Microsoft Article# 129545 but when I try to access the "attributes" off the "image" menu it's greyed out...Memory is fine and there are no programs running that would interfere with this paint program to the best of my knowledge...All tips and tricks welcomed...

 

Have you tried something as simple as uninstalling mspaint and reinstalling it. It should be available via the add/remove software control panel icon "Add/remove windows components ">Accessaries and Utilities>Accessaries> "paint ". This may reset paint attributes to defaults for you. (Be aware that this will require xpcd or cab files on hardrive if you have such.)

In the past, this may have occured by opening, setting or creating a picture whose attributes where enormous and way beyond paints limits to open. You could try opening a very small ico, or jpg. Very small being the key. Options that are greyed can be greyed because you have nothing loaded that "calls for" or requires that option to be used upon it.

Also see this:
See my #5 thread in this past post:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=25656&highlight=Paint

 

This was written several hours ago and then our server went down. It may still be pertinent.
"Zero-2-Hero--I see you are running WinXP.
1) It is possible that Paint has become corrupted. Start|Run|Control Panel|Add/Remove Programs|in left hand margin click "Add/Remove Windows Components|Highlight Accessories and Utilities|Details|highlight Accessories|Details|I assume the box for Paint is checked|Uncheck it|OK. Now repeat everything but check the box for Paint|OK. Hopefully you will have a fresh and uncorrupted version of Paint.
2) You could download and install an alternative (and more versatile) graphics editor, such as Irfanview
www.irfanview.com

goddez1--I do not think WinXP puts Paint into Add/Remove Programs (thanks to goddez1 post below).

 

Hi Jim,
Was it the way I said it or the way you read it?

Back after double checking.
Ahhh, I see, Add/remove Programs Icon. Picky, picky...

 

goddez1--

 

Hi,
My apologies for forgetting to mention the steps as mentioned were also done...I did it with and without rebooting the computer and neither seemed to have helped...I thank everyone for taking the time out to outline those steps because if I had not done those steps they would of been helpful.

When it was mentioned about photo's being bigger than the screen it reminded me of the original problem that prompted me to download the program as mentioned www.irfranview.com...It was some time after that, that the problem developed and I did not connect the two problems together. I thank you for bringing that up.

Now with all that on our plate, would it be wise to un-install the irfranview program and see what happens and re-attempt the steps as we all have done and suggested or leave well enough alone ???

 

You aren't using some 3rd party thing having to do with clipboard such as clipmate or similiar are you?

Temp folders: both windows temp and your own profile "user name" temp in "Documents and Settings ", have yoou emptied these. Emptied tarshbin both windows and any protected bin if you have such.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
See right side of #191 named "Restore paint ". This is a reg patch and worth a shot.

Do have frequent "out of memory" or "Not enough memory" errors or is it just mspaint complaining that it's memory starved? Does your admin tool eventvwr.msc (from startmenu run line type bolded text), known as the "event viewer" show a history or patern of problems. Perhaps some further more detailed clue on the mspaint error?

What's running in the background?

Uninstalling Irfanview is worth a shot. Reinstall shouldn't be a problem. Before doing this make sure you return any options you may have set for irfanview association back to xp's defaults. I'm not sure what these are at the moment. I am irfanviewless on this particular computer. It does come with a lot of plug-in capability. It's not beyond the possibility that one of these plug-ins is damaged in some way.

 

Hi Goddez1:
Thank you for all that info and here's what I can remember in response to such...I am not sure and do not recall either if clipboard is in this particular computer...As for the temp files, I believe all has been emptied out including the trash bin...Only the Paint program has the memory and resource problem all else works fine...What I fail to always check is the event viewer, I have yet to incorporate that into my rountines but will need to check that...Would it be best to try and open the paint program and then check the event viewer or it does not matter when it's done ???

 

Before you use any of the things I have suggested why don't you try kelly's reg patch. This patch incorporates or has a well know cure for "paint" which is to usually to delete the paint folder hkey in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Applets\Paint

Hightlight Paint (click on it) that key and delete it. Close the registry editor and reopen Paint.

This reg key holds various settings and options and such for paint. When deleted and after opening paint again, it will be rebuilt.

Kelly's reg patch makes this easier by doing this for you and it also resets the hkey and values to what they should be.

It maybe the particular "Rabbit out of the hat" (magic) we're looking for. Only takes an instant.

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Do a file find for mspaint and tell me what folder it is in. Problems have occured if this is not located in the *\System32 folder.