How do I open a file that was fine when I closed it, but now has warnings and will not open?
Asked by
Ela (
6503
)
November 19th, 2011
I have a couple of files in Microsoft Works Word Processor that I have opened many times with no problem. Now the following prompts pop up and I cannot get either file to open :
In order to open this file, Works needs to use a file converter, which may pose a security risk if the file you are opening is a malicious file. Choose OK to open this file if you are sure it is from a trusted source.
I choose OK and this warning pops up:
Works cannot open “C:\Users\....\Documents\....\....wps”. The file may be in use by another application, the file format may not be supported by any of the installed converters, or the file may be corrupt.
Then it closes out.
Notepad and Word will open them, but they are incomplete and have a lot of extra junk (alien symbols and letters). I created the files so they were not imported nor did they come from an outside source. The only thing I can think of that I did different before closing one of them was to change the font size.
Ideas, suggestions?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
7 Answers
Not sure what .wps is for, but it sounds like basic file corruption, try the option to restore it to a previous point in properties (previous versions I beleive)
I think .wps (Works Document) is just a different format then .rtf (Rich Text Document). Thanks, I tried a systems restore to a point to before I had the trouble and it did nothing : ( I’m wondering if there is may be something under the properties of the document I can do. I don’t want to dink around with it too much without knowing and possibly mess it up even more.
Make a copy of it right now. Then play with the copy.
Sounds like it got corrupted by it not being closed cleanly for a variety of reasons.
Open it in Notepad. Select all (ctrl-A), then copy is all (Ctrl-C).
Open up a blank Works or Word Document depending on what you want to work in.
Paste all the data (Ctrl-V) into the blank document.
The garbage looking characters are formating characters and document header information. You can delete those.
You will be able to salvage the text, but will have to reaply formatting. Save a few variations as you go along to ensure you have points of recovery as you work to reformat it the way you had it.
Hope it Works.
My lappy died so Works did an auto save on it. I opened it with Word and Notepad and have those copies saved but neither are not the complete original (plus have all the extra symbols and texts).
I got it copied to a new Works document and it went from 50+ pages to 3335 : ( <thud>
I don’t know how to reapply formatting so all the extra stuffs are still there. I was hoping I could reset the properties or something to get it to open in it’s original format and save it to a flash or disc.
Thank you for the links! I have left the original Works file as is hoping to either get it looked at or figure out exactly how to open it. I’m not very ‘puter savvy, so I will mess around with the variations of it I have c/ped to Notepad.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
