Problem identifying type of backup files in 2002

[Don]

I have a new computer with Vista. I installed word 2002 on it and it works
fine, except my autosave files turn out to be in a stange file extension,
namely " .AS$ " . This happens even though I have the default word format
*.doc selected. I can capture these files in my backup folder, but I
haven't been able to open them with anything, so far. Formerly I used word
'97 and the autosave files were in an .asd extension, which I could open.
I've tried to find out what these .AS$ files are, but can't find anything
about them. I'm a writer and I want to keep the minute-by-minute backup
working and useful, as it was when I used word '97. (I use 12 ghosts backup
software to capture the word 2002 autosave files.)

Thanks in advance for any help.

--

 

[Terry Farrell]

You have misunderstood AutoSave files. These are for Word use so that if
your computer crashes whilst Word is open, it will recover the document that
was open using the .asd (AutoSave) file. It is not designed to be used any
other way. You need to use File, SaveAs and choose doc format in order to
save the document to your HDD with the doc extension.

 

[Don]

Thanks for responding Terry. I understand what you're saying. In this case
I've been using special (12 ghosts backup) software to capture the *.asd
files (with word '97) from minute to minute. The software then renders them
into readable files. But the files I'm getting in word 2002 are these
strange " .AS$ " files which my software can't seem to capture and which I
can't identify. If they were .asd files, I'd have no problem.

Regards, Don

 

[Terry Farrell]

That's strange indeed. I'm not sure why this should be happening. I suggest
that initially, you disable AutoSave. Then go to your temp file location and
when all applications are closed, empty it completely.

Run Word again and make sure that no AS$ or ASD files are being created.
Then enable the AutoSaves and see what happens.

Terry

Thanks for responding Terry. I understand what you're saying. In this
case
I've been using special (12 ghosts backup) software to capture the *.asd
files (with word '97) from minute to minute. The software then renders
them
into readable files. But the files I'm getting in word 2002 are these
strange " .AS$ " files which my software can't seem to capture and which
I
can't identify. If they were .asd files, I'd have no problem.

Regards, Don

 

[Beth Melton]

I *think* the *.as$ is a temp file that is created for the *.asd files and
function similar to other Word temp files -- most you can't open or use. Are
you saying you don't see any *.asd files at all?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton

What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Thanks for responding Terry. I understand what you're saying. In this
case
I've been using special (12 ghosts backup) software to capture the *.asd
files (with word '97) from minute to minute. The software then renders
them
into readable files. But the files I'm getting in word 2002 are these
strange " .AS$ " files which my software can't seem to capture and which
I
can't identify. If they were .asd files, I'd have no problem.

Regards, Don

 

[Don]

Hi Beth. Yes, that it the case. No .asd files at all. I'll try Terry's
solution as soon as I get a chance and post the result. Many thanks .

 

[Don]

Hi Terry and Beth:

I followed Terry's suggestion and I got one backup with the stange file and
then the .asd files started and continued thereafter.

Many thanks for your help. Much appreciated.