Extract some data from a shape file

[DavidOrchard]

Sorry it's such a basic problem.

I've a shape file with around 15million rows and around 20 columns.
I want to extract a subset (50k rows) of this data based on geographic location. (i.e if it occures inside a predifined area).
Every method I try ArcGIS closes down. (I've 10.1 on win 7 and 9.3 on XP).
Could some kind soul advise me the best way to proceed?

TIA

[michaelcollins1]

What methods have you tried?
How large in the shape file, and would exporting it to a FGDB first help?

[LucasDanzinger]

If every method does not work (Select by location, Clip, Intersect, etc), You might have to first break the 15 million record shapefile into 2, 3, or 4 separate shapefiles. Then, do a Select by Location and once you have the subsets selected by location, you can append the outputs all back together using the Append GP tool.