WD: Not Enough Memory to Run Word

 Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q79557
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 5.1a, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SYMPTOMS

Word 6.0

If the amount of memory allocated to Word 6.0 for the Macintosh is less than 1,700 kilobytes (KB), Word either generates the following error 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
   1,700K.
or Word starts but then runs sluggishly or stops responding.

Word 4.0, 5.0

If the amount of memory allocated to Word 4.0 or 5.0 for the Macintosh is less than 350 KB, Word displays the following error message when it starts: 

   Not enough memory available to run Word.

RESOLUTION

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

  1. Quit Word.

  2. Click the Microsoft Word icon once to select it.

  3. On the File menu, click Get Info.

  4. Under Memory Requirements, change the Preferred Size (in System 7.1) or the Current Size (in System 7.0) so that it is at least equal to the Suggested Size (512 KB for Word 4.0, 1,024 KB for Word 5.0, and 1,700 KB for Word 6.0).

MORE INFORMATION

Word 6.0

If you allocate less than 1,700 KB to Word, you receive the following message: 

   You have set the Minimum and Preferred sizes below 1,700K,
   which may cause "Microsoft Word" to crash. Are you sure you
   want to continue?
When you start Word, you may also receive 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 1,700K.
In some cases, Word may not display this error message. If Word does start, it may run sluggishly or stop responding. This behavior depends on how much memory you allocate to Word.

Word 5.0 and 5.1

If you allocate from 375 KB through 512 KB to Word, you receive the following message: 

   Are you sure you want to set the memory size for the application
   Microsoft Word to less than suggested minimum?
When you start Word, you receive the following message: 

   Microsoft recommends running Word in at least 512 KB of memory.
If you allocate 350 KB or less to Word, you also receive the following error message when you try to start Word: 

   Not enough memory available to run Word.

Word 4.0

If you allocate from 350 KB through 375 KB to Word, you receive the following message: 

   Are you sure you want to set the memory size for the application
   Microsoft Word to less than suggested minimum?
If you click OK, Word opens.

If you allocate 350 KB or less to Word, you also receive the following error message when you try to start Word: 

   Not enough memory available to run Word.

Additional query words: crash fail stop responding lock up freeze hang
Keywords : macword macword5 word6 kbenv kbsetup
Version : MACINTOSH: 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 5.1a, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a;
Platform : MACINTOSH

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Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
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