title: Why Python `Memory Error` with list `append()` lots of RAM left
body: <p>I am building a large data dictionary from a set of text files.  As I read in the lines and process them, I <code>append(dataline)</code> to a list.</p>
  
  <p>At some point the <code>append()</code> generates a <code>Memory Error</code> exception.  However, watching the program run in the Windows Task Manager, at the point of the crash I see 4.3 GB available and 1.1 GB free.</p>
  
  <p>Thus, I do not understand the reason for the exception.</p>
  
  <p>Python version is 2.6.6.  I guess, the only reason is that it is not able to use more of the available RAM.  If this is so, is it possible to increase the allocation?</p>