WD98: Low Memory Error Messages When You Start Word

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This article was previously published under Q178944

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SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Word starts but then hangs (stops responding), reacts sluggishly, or generates one of the following error messages:

Microsoft Word could not be opened because its current memory size of <size specified>K is too low. To open Microsoft Word, first select Get Info and raise the Minimum and Preferred memory sizes to at least 9,000K.

-or-

Not enough memory available to run Word.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the amount of memory allocated to Word 98 for the Macintosh is less than 9,000 kilobytes (KB).

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WORKAROUND

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

Quit Word.
Click the Word icon to select it.
On the File menu, click Get Info.
Adjust the Preferred Size so that it is at least equal to the Suggested Size (9,000K for Word 98).

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MORE INFORMATION

If you allocate less than 6000K to Word, Word produces the message:

You have set the Minimum size below 6000K, which may cause "Microsoft Word 98" to crash. Are you sure you want to continue?

When you start Word you may also get the following message:

'Microsoft Word' could not be opened, because its current memory size of <size specified>K is too low. To open 'Microsoft Word,' first select Get Info and raise the Minimum and Preferred memory sizes to at least 6000K.

Word may not always display this error message. Instead, it may start and then hang or react sluggishly. How Word behaves depends on how much less memory than 9,000K has been allocated.

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Word 98 for Macintosh

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kbfaq kbprb KB178944

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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