jregehr
asked on
Most apps under Windows 98 calling out of memory or file read-only type errors. Cannot open documents.
I am a system with Win98 that just started behaving badly.
It's running Office 2000 and under Word, Excel, or Access if I try to open any of my files (all are located in My Documents), it calls cannot open file errors. They differ program to program but the common thread is most refer to a read-only file or out of disk space.
1. C:\My Documents is not read-only.
2. There is nearly 2GB free disk space.
3. There is 64MB memory and it's showing about 60% free.
I've tried:
Doing thorough Scandisk to check for a failing hard drive.
Doing a system file checker (which returned nothing)
Tried opening files in Safe Mode (No difference)
Copying files to another folder, then opening (nope)
Creating new files. (nope, excel calls that out of memory/free disk space error as soon as I enter a value in a cell.)
What should I be looking for?
It's running Office 2000 and under Word, Excel, or Access if I try to open any of my files (all are located in My Documents), it calls cannot open file errors. They differ program to program but the common thread is most refer to a read-only file or out of disk space.
1. C:\My Documents is not read-only.
2. There is nearly 2GB free disk space.
3. There is 64MB memory and it's showing about 60% free.
I've tried:
Doing thorough Scandisk to check for a failing hard drive.
Doing a system file checker (which returned nothing)
Tried opening files in Safe Mode (No difference)
Copying files to another folder, then opening (nope)
Creating new files. (nope, excel calls that out of memory/free disk space error as soon as I enter a value in a cell.)
What should I be looking for?
Test the RAM
NOTE if this doesn't find anything wrong with the RAM this DOESN'T mean the RAM is good you would need to swap out the RAM with known good modules for testing. However if it does find something wrong then chances are the RAM is bad.
DocMemory PC RAM
Diagnostic Software
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp
or
http://www.memtest86.com/
NOTE if this doesn't find anything wrong with the RAM this DOESN'T mean the RAM is good you would need to swap out the RAM with known good modules for testing. However if it does find something wrong then chances are the RAM is bad.
DocMemory PC RAM
Diagnostic Software
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp
or
http://www.memtest86.com/
Run the Disk Cleanup utility
Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;186099
Double-click My Computer, right-click the hard disk on which you want to free space, click Properties, and then click Disk Cleanup on the General tab.
On the Disk Cleanup tab, click to select the check boxes of the files that you want to remove, click OK, click Yes, and then click OK.
Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;186099
Double-click My Computer, right-click the hard disk on which you want to free space, click Properties, and then click Disk Cleanup on the General tab.
On the Disk Cleanup tab, click to select the check boxes of the files that you want to remove, click OK, click Yes, and then click OK.
When was the last time you defragged the drive?
ASKER
CrazyOne, I defragged this morning.
Also open the Device Manager and note if you see any red or yellow icons next to any items. If so these may be the cause so click on the item and delete it. Reboot so Win98 will reinstall the drivers.
Greetings, jregehr!
These Microsoft programs use up a lot of resources. After using them for awhile, you get very slow reaction time, and sometimes the errors that you are getting. If you reboot, if you reboot the computer, it should fix the problem.
If does not work, uninstall Office 2000 and reinstall. Backup your data before you uninstall.
Best wishes, war1
These Microsoft programs use up a lot of resources. After using them for awhile, you get very slow reaction time, and sometimes the errors that you are getting. If you reboot, if you reboot the computer, it should fix the problem.
If does not work, uninstall Office 2000 and reinstall. Backup your data before you uninstall.
Best wishes, war1
>>>3. There is 64MB memory and it's showing about 60% free.
Are you sure the isn't System Resources showing 60%
You may not have enough total memory. What is your swap file set at?
Are you sure the isn't System Resources showing 60%
You may not have enough total memory. What is your swap file set at?
OFF2000: "Not Enough Memory" Error Message When You Start Word or Excel
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305498
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305498
Office 2000 Customizable Alerts Info Button
http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/alerts.aspx
http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/alerts.aspx
aint runnin much if they've got 60% of 64megs free.........
that sounds like too little memory usage to me........
How much stuff you got loading at startup ?
that sounds like too little memory usage to me........
How much stuff you got loading at startup ?
ASKER
No, this isn't a lack of memory issue. Windows 98 and Office 2000 run OK with 64MB. There is very little loading at startup and I should point out this machine has been working fine up until now.
Even with 32mb the system should just slow down, not refuse to open Office docs.
Even with 32mb the system should just slow down, not refuse to open Office docs.
What have you done in respects to the suggestions that have been made thus far?
I had a problem like this before. I tried everything, new ram, reinstall office. Only thing that worked was a complete format and reinstall.
first of I really apologies for late reply
Dear if you done everything mensioned above and getting same problem means that the registry of your operating system gets currupts or the registry values for office are not entered correctly or any other application might chage the registry values it is also possible that your system cought by some sort of worm that currupts the macros of office family applications, it is also possible that the required size of swap file is become much larger then free space available for it. there can be thousands of reason of this problem and repectivily alot of answers too. but answering all these is only possible when one has all the information regarding to his system.
Although I donot hav much about yours but I m tring figure it out:
first of all download microsoft regcleaner:
http://tweakhomepc.virtualave.net/download/regcln41.exe
then run it
2.change the location of my documents by right click on the my document shortcut on desktop.
3.Try to manage the swap by your own by right clicking mycomputer->properties->pe
in virtual memory tab change option from let window deside it self
and manage it
give minimum value to 64mb and maximum to 256mb
reboot the system but do noting.
4.
again reboot the system and press F8 fuction key while booting
when boot menu appears select "5. command prompt only"
on prompt write c:\> scanreg /fix
fallow the scren instructions
5.
on prompt write c:\> scanreg /OPT
when prompt comes back write c:\>scandisk/all/autofix/s
sit back and wait for its completion when its done reboot your system
6.
click start->run
on run prompt write 'msconfig' (without cotes)
from msconfig window select startup tab
deselect everything and press apply to reboot automatically
7.
now scandisk from windows with options(by clicking on advance button) cross link file to 'delete' and fragment files to 'free'and check invalid names and time
press ok
select through scan and check automatically fix errors
run scandisk and be petionce
after scandisk run again regcleaner after reboot everything will be alright except if your system cought by worm or virus in this case tell me please what antivirus u r using i 'll u is it capable of doing so or not :)
Warm regards
samaz
Dear if you done everything mensioned above and getting same problem means that the registry of your operating system gets currupts or the registry values for office are not entered correctly or any other application might chage the registry values it is also possible that your system cought by some sort of worm that currupts the macros of office family applications, it is also possible that the required size of swap file is become much larger then free space available for it. there can be thousands of reason of this problem and repectivily alot of answers too. but answering all these is only possible when one has all the information regarding to his system.
Although I donot hav much about yours but I m tring figure it out:
first of all download microsoft regcleaner:
http://tweakhomepc.virtualave.net/download/regcln41.exe
then run it
2.change the location of my documents by right click on the my document shortcut on desktop.
3.Try to manage the swap by your own by right clicking mycomputer->properties->pe
in virtual memory tab change option from let window deside it self
and manage it
give minimum value to 64mb and maximum to 256mb
reboot the system but do noting.
4.
again reboot the system and press F8 fuction key while booting
when boot menu appears select "5. command prompt only"
on prompt write c:\> scanreg /fix
fallow the scren instructions
5.
on prompt write c:\> scanreg /OPT
when prompt comes back write c:\>scandisk/all/autofix/s
sit back and wait for its completion when its done reboot your system
6.
click start->run
on run prompt write 'msconfig' (without cotes)
from msconfig window select startup tab
deselect everything and press apply to reboot automatically
7.
now scandisk from windows with options(by clicking on advance button) cross link file to 'delete' and fragment files to 'free'and check invalid names and time
press ok
select through scan and check automatically fix errors
run scandisk and be petionce
after scandisk run again regcleaner after reboot everything will be alright except if your system cought by worm or virus in this case tell me please what antivirus u r using i 'll u is it capable of doing so or not :)
Warm regards
samaz
ASKER
Okay, I'm working on a Windows reinstall and am having problems with it.
I've tried replacing RAM so far.
Nothing wrong in Device manager
Thorough Scandisk comes up clean although I'm still suspecting there's something hardware related because as I'm trying to reinstall Win98 as it gets to entering the product key after file copying, it calls an error "unable to display license agreement" so I'm trying a reinstall from dos.
I have put in 256mb memory brand new and it did the same thing.
I've tried replacing RAM so far.
Nothing wrong in Device manager
Thorough Scandisk comes up clean although I'm still suspecting there's something hardware related because as I'm trying to reinstall Win98 as it gets to entering the product key after file copying, it calls an error "unable to display license agreement" so I'm trying a reinstall from dos.
I have put in 256mb memory brand new and it did the same thing.
Have you done this
Scandisk isn't very good a determining the state of the drive
First try using the free diagnostic utility from the vendor of your disk to check for problems with the disk.
fujitsu
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/download/hard-drives/#diagnostic
IBM and Hitachi
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
Maxtor
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/products/index.htm
Samsung
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/hdd/support/utilities/utilities_index.html
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/download/
www.westerndigital.com
Scandisk isn't very good a determining the state of the drive
First try using the free diagnostic utility from the vendor of your disk to check for problems with the disk.
fujitsu
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/download/hard-drives/#diagnostic
IBM and Hitachi
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
Maxtor
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/products/index.htm
Samsung
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/hdd/support/utilities/utilities_index.html
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/download/
www.westerndigital.com
ASKER
Okay, I'm working on a Windows reinstall and am having problems with it.
I've tried replacing RAM so far.
Nothing wrong in Device manager
Thorough Scandisk comes up clean although I'm still suspecting there's something hardware related because as I'm trying to reinstall Win98 as it gets to entering the product key after file copying, it calls an error "unable to display license agreement" so I'm trying a reinstall from dos.
I have put in 256mb memory brand new and it did the same thing.
I've tried replacing RAM so far.
Nothing wrong in Device manager
Thorough Scandisk comes up clean although I'm still suspecting there's something hardware related because as I'm trying to reinstall Win98 as it gets to entering the product key after file copying, it calls an error "unable to display license agreement" so I'm trying a reinstall from dos.
I have put in 256mb memory brand new and it did the same thing.
ASKER
CrazyOne,
I did a disk check both quick and comprehensive and it comes back clean.
I did a disk check both quick and comprehensive and it comes back clean.
If you used scandisk to do this check then you can't rely on that as being a reliable measure for the health of the disk. Scan disk is not that good. Hence the reason I keep pushing to use one of those utilities. If did use one of those utilities then disregard what I just said. But if you didn't then please do so. :>)
jregehr,
> >Okay, I'm working on a Windows reinstall and am having problems with it.
If the hard disk comes back clean, do you mean you are ready to reinstall Windows? Back up your data before you do.
> >Okay, I'm working on a Windows reinstall and am having problems with it.
If the hard disk comes back clean, do you mean you are ready to reinstall Windows? Back up your data before you do.
No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is to:
Be PAQ'd/Points No Refunded
Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.
PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!
Paul
EE Cleanup Volunteer
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is to:
Be PAQ'd/Points No Refunded
Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.
PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!
Paul
EE Cleanup Volunteer
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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First try using the free diagnostic utility from the vendor of your disk to check for problems with the disk.
fujitsu
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/download/hard-drives/#diagnostic
IBM and Hitachi
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
Maxtor
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/products/index.htm
Samsung
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/hdd/support/utilities/utilities_index.html
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/download/
www.westerndigital.com