ACC2000: Resolving "System Error or not enough memory to start" Error Messages

ID: Q217353

The information in this article applies to:
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.


SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Access, you may receive one of the following error messages:

System Error.
-or-
Not enough memory to start Microsoft Access.


RESOLUTION

There are several things you can try to resolve this error. Try to start Access after each of the following steps. Once you can start Access successfully, you do not need to complete the remaining steps.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, please consult your product documentation to complete these steps.

Re-register Dao360.dll

To manually register Dao360.dll, follow these steps.
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type regsvr32.exe.


  3. Be sure the Look In box points to the root of your hard disk (usually drive C).


  4. Be sure the Include Subfolders check box is selected.


  5. Click Find Now.


  6. Once the file is found, click Start, click Run, and then delete any text that may be in the Open box.


  7. Drag the REGSVR32.EXE file from the Find dialog box to the Open box.


  8. Repeat steps 2 through 7, but this time search for DAO360.DLL.


  9. Once the file is found, drag it in the Open box, so that it follows REGSVR32.EXE, and then click OK.


  10. Try to start Access to see if the problem is resolved.


If you do not find REGSVR32.EXE on your computer, check other available computers for this file. Otherwise, you can obtain this file from:
Q161983 ACC: Regsvr32.exe Available on MSL

Make Sure TMP and TEMP Environment Variables Point to Valid Locations

  1. Click Start, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.


  2. At the MS-DOS prompt, type set, and press ENTER. The MS-DOS window will look similar to:


    3. C:\WINDOWS>SET

    TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
    TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
    PROMPT=$p$g
    winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
    PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
    COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
    windir=C:\WINDOWS

    C:\WINDOWS>
  3. Note the TMP and TEMP lines on your computer. Use the MS-DOS cd command to test to see if you can successfully change to that folder. For example, at the MS-DOS prompt, type cd\windows\temp.


  4. If you can successfully change to that folder, then your TMP and TEMP path is valid. If not, use the MS-DOS md command to create the folder. You can also create the folder in Windows Explorer.


Check For and Delete All .tmp Files

  1. Restart the computer and as the computer begins to reboot, hold down the F8 key until you see the Microsoft Windows 95(98) Startup Menu.


  2. Select Command Prompt Only from the list and press ENTER.


  3. Once at the command prompt, type the following, and press ENTER:


    4. C:\>dir *.tmp /s | more
  4. If a folder is found, change to that folder. For example, if .tmp files were found in C:\Windows\Temp, type the following MS-DOS command to change to the folder, and then press ENTER:


    5. C:\>CD\windows\temp
  5. Type the following command to delete the .tmp files in this directory:


    6. C:\Windows\Temp>del *.tmp
  6. Type CD\ to return to the root of drive C and repeat steps 3 through 5 until all .tmp files have been found and deleted.


Check the Amount of Virtual Memory

In Windows 95/98:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the System icon.


  3. Click the Performance tab and click the Virtual Memory button.


  4. Make sure the following option is selected:


    5. Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings.
In Windows NT:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the System icon.


  3. Click the Performance tab and note the Virtual Memory option group. It should be disclosing the Total paging file size currently set.


  4. If the value appears to be low, click the Change button to increase the Initial size and Maximum size used by Windows NT for virtual memory.


  5. Click the Set button in order for NT to accept your new values.


Check for the Amount of Free Hard Disk Space

  1. In Windows Explorer, right-click on drive C and click Properties.


  2. Note the pink-colored box. It will disclose the amount of free drive space.


Additional query words: inf prb 


Keywords          : kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999