python 2.5 and 3gb switch

[neil]

no sir nothing spectacular like that,
I'll explain further -
The .blend file I have is 550mb
It originates from 13,000+ meshes imported from Solidworks ( 3d CAD program) 
of a piece of machinery. A python script was used for this purpose -it also 
performed some other tasks on the meshes like matching materials from a 
library and identifying sharp edges for normals in the renderer.
This part was not a problem - the commit space reached 2,4 gb
The next step is to export it in parts of about 2 million faces each in a 
file format Indigo uses.
I need to save and reopen to unload commit space to do that... this means I 
have about 1.4gb commit.
If I start the export script it will run fine until just about the end - 
this consumes another 700mb - ( I have the max MS recommends -2.9gb- set in 
the 3gb switch to play with and I actually know this is the limit cos I've 
hit that too..)
Right at this point I still have 800mb available but here's the kicker - It 
needs about the same 550mb to complete the save.I know this from previous 
work on lesser files.
This is where python gives 'memerror'. Although the space is there it wont 
use it.
I believe I should be using Python that is 3gb enabled as well
This is the same error I ran across doing smaller tasks without the switch
btw Blender does not crash.
HTH
Neil