Cannot Open/Use Word 2003 .doc file after PC crash

[sawgood]

I have a Word .doc file which was given to me by a customer. The file will
no longer open using Word 2003 SP3. The background is this:

1. File was created a while back with Word 2003 SP3.

2. File had worked for a long time with no concerns

3. User was working with file in Word 2003 when her PC froze on her, and
she simply cut off the power to the computer. When the PC was restarted, she
tried to open the Word file, but it would not open.

4. When you try to open the file, Word sort of starts, but it ends with a
dialog error message saying: "You cannot put drawing objects into a text box,
callout, comment, footnote, or endnote".

5. When you click OK, Word simply opens with a blank document, and you
cannot use save, save-as, or print from the menu bar.

NOTE: I've tried opening the program with visual basic (no luck). I've
tried opening the program with word pad and note pad (no luck).

NOTE: I've worked with two other people who have tried to open/use this
file, and we all are facing the same problem (all of us using Win XP and Word
2003 SP3).

Any tips or suggestions to open/use this Word .doc file would be appreciated.

NOTE: The file size of the 'broken' Word .doc file is about 1.3 MB.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Ditto.

 

[Feudalsim Developer]

I have a Word .doc file which was given to me by a customer. The file will
no longer open using Word 2003 SP3. The background is this:

1. File was created a while back with Word 2003 SP3.

2. File had worked for a long time with no concerns

3. User was working with file in Word 2003 when her PC froze on her, and
she simply cut off the power to the computer. When the PC was restarted, she
tried to open the Word file, but it would not open.

4. When you try to open the file, Word sort of starts, but it ends with a
dialog error message saying: "You cannot put drawing objects into a text box,
callout, comment, footnote, or endnote".

5. When you click OK, Word simply opens with a blank document, and you
cannot use save, save-as, or print from the menu bar.

NOTE: I've tried opening the program with visual basic (no luck). I've
tried opening the program with word pad and note pad (no luck).

NOTE: I've worked with two other people who have tried to open/use this
file, and we all are facing the same problem (all of us using Win XP and Word
2003 SP3).

Any tips or suggestions to open/use this Word .doc file would be appreciated.

NOTE: The file size of the 'broken' Word .doc file is about 1.3 MB.

It wouldn't be unusual to have a damaged document in that situation.
It's important to note that Word works in a temp file until you hit
Save - then it commits those changes to the document. If it was in the
middle of doing that transfer, or if it had not completed
successfully, you'll end up with a corrupt document.

Have a look at this:
http://howtotroubleshoot.blogspot.com/2006/03/damaged-document-troubleshooting.html

 

[sawgood]

Hi Terry (again) and "Feudalsim Developer":

Thanks for these comments, tips, and leads ... all were ideal.

I even checked out the demo s/w from the 3rd party people.

Using the recover text from file tip, I was back in business for the most
part.

We can close the books on this one.

I really appreciate your time and reply!

 

[Alan]

Hi Terry (again) and "Feudalsim Developer":

Thanks for these comments, tips, and leads ... all were ideal.

I even checked out the demo s/w from the 3rd party people.

Using the recover text from file tip, I was back in business for the most
part.

We can close the books on this one.

I really appreciate your time and reply!

Hi,

If you can't handle the problem by yourself, I think you can try some
professional services. You can try a utility called Advanced Word
Repair to repair your Word document. It works rather well for my
corrupt Word documents. Its web address is http://www.datanumen.com/awr/

Alan