Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 33554432 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 64 bytes)

I fully agree that Apache needs to be prompted to re-read the config files and restart works, but this can be done with a reload rather than a restart. This avoids any interruption to service. I've just successfully changed the memory limit to 64M and cleared the same error on my debian box with:

/etc/init.d/apache2 reload

(using root login)

I too have a Drupal install on Bluehost and I followed your instructions (checking and double checking) and so far so good. Thanks for helping me do my very FIRST php.ini edit ever! Now if I could just get Mailman to work with my Bluehost account.

From http://drupal.org/node/76156:

Note: Do not just set an arbitrarily high number just to avoid this potential problem - it may limit your ability to have multiple simultaneous connections run efficiently, and simultaneous connections are important on webservers.

I have a bluehost account and just managed to solve the memory allocation problem, thanks to the advice given by maximus. Good to see bluehost on this forum as well.
thanks

Thank you Maximus, this was exactly what i needed in order to fix my problem with the php memory limitation.

Additional usefull information was found under the url http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/index.php/kb/article/128 in the knowledgebase from the bluehost helpdesk:

Configuring the PHP Environment With php.ini
Top :: Bluehost Support :
Top :: Bluehost Support : Supported Features / Versions :
Top :: Bluehost Support : Supported Features / Versions : PHP :

Problem:

How do I change the PHP environment for my site with php.ini?

Solution:

To generate a new php.ini file:

1. Login to your cPanel
2. Click on the PHP Config icon located under "Software/Services"
3. Look for the section that says "Install Default php.ini"
4. Click the "INSTALL PHP.INI MASTER FILE" button
5. You will now have a file inside the public_html folder named php.ini.default
6. Use the File Manager or FTP to rename that file to php.ini

If you have any further questions about configuring the php.ini file, there are extensive descriptions within the file itself. You may also find more help at: http://www.php.net/docs.php

To change the type PHP type used for your account:

1. Login to your cPanel
2. Click on the PHP Config icon located under "Software/Services"
3. Select the type of php version you wish to use, click "save changes"

* Standard PHP (Default)

By default all accounts use standard PHP. With standard PHP selected, a php script will use the server's master php.ini configuration file if the script's directory does not contain a php.ini file. Each hosting account initially has a copy of the php.ini file in the public_html directory. You may make any changes to this file and the modification will take precedent over the master file. With standard PHP selected in the cPanel, you will need to copy the modified php.ini file into all subdirectories containing php files which are to use the custom php settings.

Note: Different folders can have different php.ini files containing different php settings. If you need to use different php settings for two different scripts, you can place them each in their own folder and with their own php.ini file.
* PHP Single php.ini

To avoid copying the same php.ini file to each and every directory containing php files, you may select PHP Single php.ini. This option changes the php handler defined in ~/public_html/.htaccess to indicate that all subfolders use the same php.ini found in public_html/.

Note: The .htaccess php handler is recursive through all subdirectories unless a subdirectory has a .htaccess file also defining a php handler.
* PHP FastCGI

Using the PHP FastCGI option makes all your PHP applications run through mod_fcgid instead of mod_suphp. FastCGI uses only one php.ini file located in the public_html directory. For more detailed information about PHP FastCGI including benefits and potential problems, ...

...

Drupal and Bluehost is great!