--- a/smalltalk.rc	Mon Feb 04 18:47:31 2013 +0100
+++ b/smalltalk.rc	Mon Feb 04 18:55:26 2013 +0100
@@ -404,6 +404,11 @@
 
 "/ ObjectMemory maxOldSpace:1024*1024*128.
 "/ ObjectMemory maxOldSpace:1024*1024*512.
+ExternalBytes sizeofPointer == 8 ifTrue:[
+    "/ limit to 2GB to prevent a runaway program from thrashing the system
+    "/ if you really need more, change that line
+    ObjectMemory maxOldSpace:2*1024*1024*1024.
+].
 
 "/ this changes the size of the eden generation, where objects
 "/ are initially allocated. Making it bigger may increase pause