ACCESS 97 'out of memory' on Windows 2000 & XP

Hello,

I have moved into a new job as a .net dev . but before i get anything interesting to do i have been given a problem access database to sort out. we have an access 97 db kicking about connected to an oracle backend , this works fine on NT boxes but falls over in any newer os, the code is pretty intensive in terms of objects and connections but like i say works fine in win NT. the errors are usually 'out of memory' or just straight crashes. this often happens at the same point and could be memory bloat. there is an access 2003 version of the db waiting in the wings however until the os is standardized we are stuck with the ACCESS 97 version(especially as there are some win95 users).

A few clues are that the app recompiles and saves on the bottom status bar when the db loads up instantly increasing it's size from 58mb to 68 mb(only in xp).

anyone had any similar problems? is this to do with a missing service pack, something need registering, or is it simply that 97 won't work with any new os.

Thanks

Mark