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Q189439: WD97: Word Fails to Open "Cannot Open the Existing <Square>"

Article: Q189439
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbdta word97
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows, used with:
   - the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Case 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
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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:

  Q151261 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:

  Q173547 WD: Document Fails to Open "Cannot Open The Existing <Square>"

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbdta word97 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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