WD97: Word Fails to Open "Cannot Open The Existing <Square>"

ID: Q189439

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows on the following platform: NT

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start a second session of Microsoft Word 97 running on a Windows NT, version 4.0, you may receive the following error

   Word cannot open the existing <square symbol>

CAUSE

A variable limit was reached. Therefore, current disk free space appears to be less the amount required for creating an associated Temp file.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, obtain Microsoft Word 97 Service Release 2 (SR-2).

To temporarily work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Create a Paging File to Reduce the Amount of Perceived Disk Space

On the drive on which the Temp directory is located, create a paging file large enough to create the impression of less free disk space [less than 2 gigabytes (GB)].

Method 2: Use Only One Session of Word

Do not attempt to use two sessions of Word. Close the dialog box to the error message and activate the open session of Word.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Office 97 Service Release 2 (SR-2). For additional information about SR-2, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q151261
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-2

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q173547
   TITLE     : WD: Document Fails to Open "Cannot Open The Existing

Keywords          : kbdta word97 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: February 12, 1999