Superbias memory problems - is there a workaround?

[Phil Leigh]

I'm trying to create a 200-sub superbias frame from 200 RAW files from my cooled CDS600 (each CR2 file is 18.5Mb).
The Integration process is failing with an out of memory condition. I have 4Gb of RAM (Win 7 64-bit).
Adding more RAM is not an option at this point. I've tried reducing the buffer/stack parameters but the process still fails.

I can Integrate 25 frames without a problem. Is it viable to create 8 integrated bias frames from 25 subs each and then integrate the 8 into a final superbias... or do the maths not work like that? If it is possible, do I need to use different integration parameters in the final step?

Many thanks,
Phil

[Carlos Milovic]

Try converting all the files to the fits format. The integration process can use progressive reading mode with FITS files, so it is less memory intensive.

[Phil Leigh]

Thanks Carlos - I knew there must be a simple solution!