"Insufficient Memory..." Error Message on Disk 1 During Setup

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Setup, version 1.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0
• Microsoft Project for Windows, versions 1.0, 3.0, 3.0a, 4.0
• Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 4.0c
• Microsoft Publisher for Windows, version 2.0, 2.0a
• Microsoft Works for Windows, version 3.0
• Microsoft Video for Windows, version 1.1

SYMPTOMS

When you run the Setup program for one of the applications listed above, your floppy drive may be unable to read Disk 1 and you receive the following error message:

   Insufficient memory to run this application. Quit one or more Windows
   applications and then try again.

CAUSES

This error message may be caused by any of the following:

• The CMOS setting for your floppy disk drive has been changed so that the disk is formatted as a 720K disk drive rather than a 1.44 megabyte (MB) disk drive (which is the required size if you are installing Microsoft Excel from high-density 3.5-inch floppy disks). The CMOS settings for the floppy disk drive may be lost if your computer has a weak battery connection or if it is affected by a power surge. When the CMOS settings are lost, the floppy disk drive is reset to the 720K default. This is the most common cause of this error message.

  NOTE: This problem with the CMOS setting is most likely to occur with laptop computers, notebook computers, or any computer that has been physically moved or affected by power surges, black-outs, or brown-outs.

  -or-

• You are using MS-DOS 6 or MS-DOS 6.2 VSAFE

  -or-

• The Setup Disk 1 or SETUP.EXE file is damaged (this can occur during manufacturing, during shipping, or if the disk is mishandled).

  -or-

• Your disk drive itself is damaged.

  -or-

• The anti-virus program is present and loaded high in your system configuration for Microsoft Excel 5.0.

To Test for a Damaged SETUP.EXE File

To test for a damaged SETUP.EXE file, do the following:

1. Put the Setup Disk 1 in your floppy disk drive (for example, drive A).

2. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type:

         dir a:\setup.exe
   

   where A is the drive in which you placed the Setup Disk 1.

   Version of Microsoft Excel        File size
   --------------------------------------------

   5.0c                              58768
   5.0                               39856
   4.0a                              21248
   4.0                               21248
   3.0                               62704

   Version of Microsoft Word         File size
   -------------------------------------------

   6.0                               39856
   2.00c                             21248
   2.00b                             21248
   2.00a                             21248
   2.0                               21248

   Version of Microsoft Project      File size
   -------------------------------------------

   4.0                               39856
   3.0a                              21600
   3.0                               21600
   1.0                               54323

   Version of Microsoft PowerPoint   File size
   -------------------------------------------

   4.0c                              39856
   4.0a                              39856
   4.0                               39856
   3.0                               24976

   Version of Microsoft Publisher    File size
   -------------------------------------------

   2.0a                              39856
   2.0                               25840

   Version of Microsoft Works        File size
   -------------------------------------------

   3.0                               39856

   Version of Microsoft Video        File size
   -------------------------------------------

   1.1                               24624

To Test for a Damaged Setup Disk 1 or a Damaged Floppy Disk Drive

To test to see if the problem is caused by a bad disk or because of a problem with your floppy disk drive, use the COPY command to copy the contents of any disk that has the same density as the application disks to the hard disk drive, or use the DISKCOPY command to copy the disk contents to another floppy disk:

• If you can successfully copy other floppy disks of the same density to the hard drive (or to another floppy disk), and the problem only occurs with the application disk, then the problem is most likely the result of a bad disk.
• If either of these copy procedures results in an error message, there is a problem with your floppy disk drive.

WORKAROUNDS

To work around these problems, follow the appropriate procedure below.

You are using MS-DOS 6 or MS-DOS 6.2 VSAFE

If you are using MS-DOS 6 or MS-DOS 6.2 and loading VSAFE, you may receive the error message noted above, even when your machine is correctly configured. To work around this problem, remark out (REM) VSAFE in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, reboot your computer, and then install the application.

The CMOS Settings Have Been Lost

To correct this problem, go into the CMOS setup on your computer and set the floppy disk drive back to 1.44 MB. For more information, contact your hardware vendor.

NOTE: If your floppy disk drive is not a 1.44 MB, high-density disk drive, you will not be able to change the CMOS floppy disk drive setting. In this case, you must use 720K low-density disks to set up the application on your computer.

The Setup Disk Is Damaged

To correct this problem, you must order a new set of disks. To do this, call Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. If you are outside the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. To locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide Offices Web site at:

   http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm

There Is a Hardware Problem with Your Floppy Disk Drive

To correct this problem, use diagnostic software with your floppy disk drive and have a qualified hardware technician examine it.

MORE INFORMATION

The information in this article also applies to other products and to 5.25- inch disk drives.