memory allocation error

Try reading the rw-FAQ and/or the actual help file the message mentions!
It says nothing about those flags.

rgui.exe --vsize 16M --nsize 1000k

This is just one method I've found, and in Mr. Maindonalds' manual is the
same information.

I do not remember if you have mentioned which version of R you are
running.
Assuming R >= 1.2.0 you can extend the default (the minimum of physical
installed RAM and 256Mb) by setting the command line flag
--max-mem-size.

Your version of John Maindonalds paper seems to be written for R <
1.2.0.

Hint: when you are asked to consult a help file, the information is there

Maybe you misunderstood Brian's hint:
Please read the FAQs and the help file, especially 
?Memory

Yes, it mentions the size of my virtual memory, but then what?. If I change
the settings, what's going wrong now?

Hint hint: the flag is called --max-mem-size

Could you explain me this a little bit please.

The maximum amount of memory R is allowed to consume (defaults to the
minimum of physical installed RAM and 256Mb, as described in ?Memory).

R is the only program that asks me for memory space. I think I'm not
managing a very big dataset (1200 observations, 6 variables). Even with the
base datasets I find the same constraints.

But then also the only which protects you getting into trouble with
endless swapping activity.

Uwe Ligges
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