POSI error: Cannot allocate memory

Hi all,

I am having some problems with applications on a 12 inch powerbook. Most of the applications (word, iTunes ...) all terminate seconds after starting. I tried to do a software update and that results in an error:

"POSIX error: Cannot allocate memory"

Has anyone seen this or got any suggestions as to what may be going on?

Thanks.

the first things to try are:

1. repair permissions with disk utility.
2. try setting up another user account and see if it happens there to.
3. report back.