Insufficient Memory to Load System Files

This article was previously published under Q177864

SYMPTOMS

When you try to format your hard disk, you may receive the following error message:

Insufficient memory to load system files.
Format terminated.

This problem can occur if either of the following conditions exists:

You attempt to format your hard disk using the "format c: /q/u/s/v" command at a command prompt, and there is not enough free conventional memory to use the /s parameter (switch).
You start your computer using the Windows Startup disk and then attempt to format your hard disk.

To work around this problem, use the appropriate method below:

Do not use the /s parameter (switch) with the Format command. After the format process is finished, transfer the system files to the hard disk using the SYS C: command.
If you are using Windows 98, restart your computer using the Windows 98 Startup disk, choose Start Computer With CD-ROM Support on the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu, and then use the FORMAT command to format your hard disk.