Hello,

PC Windows XP 7 Pro MC Office Word 2007

I have a document I can not open; File name- Health Information 2015. docx I thing initially it was set with a "Password Protected." When MS Word is open and I click open a document... nothing appears (not even the password screen). I believe that the initial document was saved Word Document default file document (docx). I also made a copy and changed the file extension to .doc but still can not open it.

I have other document I can open: File name- Notes on Traveling.doc When within MS Word I click on open and the password screen opens. Then I enter the password and it opens the document. When I create a document, I most often Save MS Word 97 2003.

Maybe I have the incorrect setting in FOLDER OPTIONS (search programs, file ext) or in the Control Panel Security/Administrative User area.. ?



Any help will be most appreciated,

Sy S.
Metro NYC

Your problem is unlikely to have anything to do with folder options and changing the extension is unlikely to help either, as that doesn't change the file type.

If you're not even getting to the password prompt, that suggests the document has suffered some form of corruption, in which case you'll need to restore it from a backup.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Hello Macropod/Ed,

Thanks for your reply. I tried many times to use Nortons Ghost for a backup, but it never work.. after many hours with tech support (12 or more). And I think Windows 7 has a backup but I did not use it? Anyway, I have my own backup, copy and paste of important data... on two external hard drives. Both are over 9 months old and at a remote location. I have not had the time to get them and see if I have the important files I need in .doc and not .docx (password protected). Plus for a few really important ones, I have a paper copy in two locations.

Finally, a few months ago, I had to have my HD drive reformatted... and that might be one of the problems. I also have a folder saying Old Windows programs (before the reformat).. clicking on "MS Word" it says my computer is not configured for this application on my operating system ?

Thanks again for your help...

Sy S.
Metro NYC

Your additional info suggests you've had some serious system problems with your PC. Simply keeping a copy of the program folder for the software from before you reformatted the drive is unlikely to give you working versions of any of the programs in it, as they won't have all the registry entries needed to make them work. You will need to reinstall whatever software you need via their own setup programs.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Hello Paul,

I have just ignored the "Old Windows" Folder.. just was curious if it might work when clicking on MS Word application. I am now reluctant to use "Passwords" when I am using an older version of Windows 2007 .doc and then accidentally saving a document with .docx . When I come across a file with .docx I then save it in Rich Text Format (RTF).

Aside- I noticed you are based in Canberra... I have friends in your city who are going to a Gershwin music concert this Saturday... and I recall the "Light Shows" and photos of your city a while ago... cool!

Tx,

Sy S.
Metro NYC