WD97: Word Fails to Open "Cannot Open the Existing <Square Symbol>" (189439)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows, when used with:
- the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT
This article was previously published under Q189439 SYMPTOMSCase 1
When you attempt to start a second session of Microsoft Word 97 running on
a Windows NT, version 4.0, the following error message may appear:
Word cannot open the existing <square symbol>
where <square symbol> is a symbol resembling an empty white box.
Case 2
When you attempt to open a password-protected document using the "read-only recommended" option, the document fails to open.
CAUSE
A variable limit was reached. Therefore, current disk free space appears to
be less than 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:
151261 OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-2
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 10/16/2002 |
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| Keywords: | kbbug kbQFE KB189439 |
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