WD2001: Error Message: Word Cannot Start the Spelling Checker

When you do one of the following:

• Start Word 2001
• Type in a document
• Perform a spelling check in Word 2001 for Mac

you may receive the following error message:

This error message can appear in any of the following four distinct scenarios.

Cause 1

Not enough random access memory (RAM) is available on the computer or allocated to the program.

Cause 2

Spelling files are missing from the installed location.

Cause 3

Different versions of the Text Encoding files are installed on the computer, or damaged Text Encoding files are installed on the computer.

NOTE: This error message also can appear after you start your computer from a System CD, with a similar cause. If you are starting from a Mac OS System CD, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information about how to troubleshoot this scenario: Cause 4

The Swedish Proofing Tools are enabled, and the Microsoft Office 2001 folder is not stored on the root level of the hard disk.

To resolve this issue, test the following methods in the order that they are listed.

Resolution 1: Insufficient RAM on the Computer or Allocated to the Program

Verify that virtual memory is enabled and is set between these two parameters:

• At least 1 megabyte (MB) above the amount of physical RAM
• Up to as much as double the amount of physical RAM built into the computer

To do this, follow these steps to verify that virtual memory is turned on:

1. On the Apple menu, select Control Panels.
2. In the Control Panels list, select Memory.
3. In the Memory dialog box, verify that the button next to ON is selected, and that the number in the box is set to any number between 1 MB above the amount of physical RAM, and up to double the amount of physical RAM.

NOTE: When you turn on virtual memory, only set it between 1 MB above the amount of physical RAM and up to double the amount of built-in RAM. These are the recommended settings from Apple. For more information about virtual memory, please contact Apple.

If virtual memory is already turned on, you can increase the amount of preferred memory that is allocated to the program. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Quit Word if it is open.
2. Locate and click the Word program icon to select it.
3. On the File menu, click Get Info and Memory.
4. On the Memory tab, increase the preferred memory by 5,000 kilobytes (KB).
5. Close the Get Info dialog box, and then start Word.

NOTE: Do not increase the minimum memory that is allocated to the program, because this can cause memory issues to occur. If the minimum memory has been adjusted, it is recommended that you set it back to the default size of 7,000 KB, with virtual memory turned on.

If the error message continues to appear, proceed to Resolution 2.

Resolution 2: Spelling Files Are Missing from the Installed Location

This error message can appear if the spelling files were moved from their original location or damaged. The following spelling files are installed in the Proofing Tools folder. This folder is in the Shared Applications folder, in the Microsoft Office 2001 folder. If these files in this list are not available in the Proofing Tools folder, you must install them. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Quit all open Office 2001 for Mac programs, and then move the Proofing Tools folder from the Shared Applications folder to the Trash.
2. Insert the Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac CD-ROM. In the window that opens, scroll down until you see the Microsoft Office Installer. Double-click the installer to start it.
3. In the Microsoft Office Installer, select Custom Install from the list in the upper-left corner.
4. Clear the Xs from all of the listed items, and then click the arrow next to Microsoft Word.
5. Select (place an X) next to Proofing Tools, and then click Install. Follow the instructions on screen until the installation is completed.

Resolution 3: Verify the Text Encodings and Text Encoding Converter Versions

The Text Encoding Converter is a Mac OS functionality feature that allows the operating system to read and interpret other languages. If different versions of either the Text Encodings files or the Text Encoding Converter are installed on the computer, the error message in the "Symptoms" section of this article can appear.

To verify the version of the Text Encodings files, follow these steps:

1. On your computer's hard disk, open the System folder, and then open the Text Encodings folder.
2. On the View menu, click View Options. In the View Options dialog box, verify that the Version check box is selected, and then click OK.
3. Verify the version number for the Text Encoding files. The files should all have the same version number.
   
   NOTE: The version number should be at least 1.5.

To verify the version of the Text Encoding Converter extension, follow these steps:

1. In the System Folder, open the Extensions folder, locate the Text Encoding file, and then click the Text Encoding file to select it.
2. On the File menu, click Get Info. On the General Information tab, verify the version number.
   
   NOTE: The version number should be the same as the number for the Text Encoding files in the System folder.

If the Text Encoding files are a different version from the Text Encoding Converter extension, you must reinstall the Text Encoding Converter file from the Value Pack folder, on the Office 2001 for Mac CD-ROM. To install the Text Encoding files from the Office 2001 Value Pack, follow these steps:

1. Quit all open programs.
2. Insert the Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive.
3. When the CD-ROM opens, select and open the Value Pack folder.
4. In the Value Pack folder, double-click the Value Pack Installer to start it.
5. In the Value Pack Installer dialog box, select the Text Encoding Converter check box, and then click Continue.
6. After the files are installed, you will be prompted to restart the computer. Click Restart.

Resolution 4: Swedish Proofing Tools Are Being Used

To resolve this issue, quit all Office programs that are open. Then move the Microsoft Office 2001 folder from its current location to the root level of the hard disk.