MS Word 97 - File Problem

[Shades]

Let me start by saying I use XP Home and recently installed the Service Pack
2. I also tried a different virus program (AV Force), which I since removed,
in case it was causing any issue with my system. Anyway, I will now let
everyone know my problem.

Recently, I was using a Word Document file which locked up on me and forced
me to close it. When attempting to access the file again (to recover it), it
tries to do so with a .wbk file. In the past, the recovered documents were
..doc files (I think). I have also received the following error message:

"Microsoft Word for Windows® 97 application file has encountered a problem
and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

I shut down the computer and tried to access the file again still have the
same issue. I tried opening other documents and had no problem. I even
accessed the previous version of this file, which is only slightly smaller,
and it works fine. What needs to be done? If necessary, I can scrap this file
and add to my earlier saved version. I would hate to have to do that, as I
would like to try to repair or recover this document. Perhaps it is corrupt
in someway. I hope it is not virus related.

Thanks,

shades

 

[Richard O. Neville]

When I got a computer with Windows XP, I found that Word 97 did not work
correctly, so upgraded (as I had planned) to Office XP, which works fine.
Sooner or later you are going to have to upgrade your application software,
which is now eight model years old.

 

[Beth Melton]

It could be that the document is corrupt. Here are a few things to
try:

Insert the contents of the corrupt document into a new document using
the Insert/File command.

If the document contains graphics then in Word go to
Tools/Options/View and turn in "Picture Placeholders" and "Draft
Font".

If the document contains links then on the General tab make sure
"Update automatic links at Open" is turned off.

Try using a document link to retrieve the corrupt document:
- Create a new document
- Copy some text from another document
- In the new document use Edit/Paste Special and select "Paste Link"
- Go to Edit/Links and change the source of the link to the document
you can not open

If this works then return to Edit/Links and break the link to the
source document.

For additional troubleshooting steps/methods take a look at this
article:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm

You also try a recovery utility such as those from
http://www.officerecovery.com/, however they aren't free downloads.


--
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/