Microsoft KB Archive/177864

= Insufficient Memory to Load System Files =

Article ID: 177864

Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 95

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This article was previously published under Q177864



SYMPTOMS
When you try to format your hard disk, you may receive the following error message:

Insufficient memory to load system files.

Format terminated.



CAUSE
This problem can occur if either of the following conditions exists:
 * You attempt to format your hard disk using the "format c: /q/u/s/v" command at a command prompt, and there is not enough free conventional memory to use the /s parameter (switch).
 * You start your computer using the Windows Startup disk and then attempt to format your hard disk.



RESOLUTION
To work around this problem, use the appropriate method below:
 * Do not use the /s parameter (switch) with the Format command. After the format process is finished, transfer the system files to the hard disk using the SYS C: command.
 * If you are using Windows 98, restart your computer using the Windows 98 Startup disk, choose Start Computer With CD-ROM Support on the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu, and then use the FORMAT command to format your hard disk.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: 98

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB177864

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