Word document won't open a File Conversion appears?

[Turbotaffy]

When I attempt to open a Word Document from either the Desktop or in My
Documents a dialogue box appears with the heading File Conversion - followed
by the file name which ends in .doc. Below this it reads 'Select the
encoding that makes your document readable and three options; Windows
(Default); MS-DOS and Other encoding. The Windows is automatically
highlighted.

Whatever I try to do to resolve the issue the document always opens in
unreadable form? I do not understand what has gone wrong here.

I have backed up my Files to disk and they seem to open with no problem -
though once or twice a problem did occur.

This problem has never occurred before. I have installed Microsoft Office
Professional Edition 2003 and have Windows XP.

Is there someone that can help a frustrated yet incredibily patient computer
user?

I would appreciate any assistance to my concern.

Thank you.

 

[Charles Kenyon]

In Word use File > Open. Make sure that the file type is set to be Word
documents.
--
Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide




--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.

 

[Turbotaffy]

Thank you for your comments.

The File Type is already set correctly. The problem only seems to occur to
one file at present. However, the backup of this file opens normally when I
insert the CD-RW. Typical, as this file is my course work and I cannot edit
the Backup as this is read-only.

Any other suggestions?

Kind regards

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Taffy,

It's possible that the one file has become corrupted and that Word is not recognizing it. See if it opens in Windows Wordpad
(Start=>Programs=>Accessories). If not, then in Word, you may be able to use File=>Open and set the file type to 'Recover text'

If you copy your safety .doc file from the CD to your hard drive you should be able to edit that as well, although you may have to
use File=>Save As to save it under a new name or after copying it from the CD right click the filename in Windows Explorer, choose
properties and uncheck the 'read only' choice.

=========
Thank you for your comments.

The File Type is already set correctly. The problem only seems to occur to
one file at present. However, the backup of this file opens normally when I
insert the CD-RW. Typical, as this file is my course work and I cannot edit
the Backup as this is read-only.

Any other suggestions?

Kind regards >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

Pricing and Packages for '2007 Microsoft Office System'
http://microsoft.com/office/preview

 

[Turbotaffy]

Dear Bob,

Thank you ever so much for your advice.

I followed your instructions to the letter and I have now been able to
recover the problem file with ease. I have renamed this file and saved a
backup.

I have no idea why a file could become corrupted. Human error perhaps? Or
something beyond our control?

This is the first time that I have used an online discussion group.

This is a valuable way to obtain information in any problem area.

Once again, my sincere gratitude to you

Kind regards,

Craig aka Turbotaffy

 

[Charles Kenyon]

If you want to be able to use your documents, when working within Word, act
as if your removable media drives do not exist! (This applies to floppy
drives, CDRW/CDR, flash drives or DVDR drives as well as any other kind of
removable media drives.)
Don't use Word to:
Open a document on removable media
Print a document on a removable media
Edit a document on a removable media
Save a document to a removable media (not even a copy)

Word regularly trashes documents on removable media drives!

Instead, work on the document using your hard drive. Copy it back and forth
using Windows.

I know that for some with shared computers (libraries, schools) this is a
tough prescription. All I can recommend for that is to use a brand new
formatted disk each time you save and don't do any editing.
--
Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide




--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.

 

[Turbotaffy]

Thank you for your follow up reply.

Your advice has been appreciated.