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Cannot open files - Please Help.

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  • 01-03-2013 1:49pm
    #1
    zziplex
    Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭


    Hello,

    Firstly im a dope when it comes to tech so go easy.

    I knew a few weeks back my old laptop was on the way out so i saved all files (microsoft works word processor) onto a usb stick, Went out last week and got a new laptop and saved the files from the usb stick into the documents folder. My problem now is i cant open them on this new laptop, I have tried to open them via wordpad and notepad but they wont open. There saved as wps files at the moment is that why they wont open? Actually they are opening but its a load of random numbers, letters and rectangular boxes is all thats showing up.

    On another issue i cant activate my free trial of microsoft office so trying to open these files in that way cant be tried.

    Please help and thanks in advance.


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    #2
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,999 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    you need a compatible program to read them

    there are different versions of works - earlier versions may not open newer files

    be very careful about spending money on microsoft office - I've this feeling that they dropped support for some old files and may be works ?
    cba checking it out


    Word viewer should allow you to see view the files as read only
    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=4


    www.libreoffice.org should edit .wps files - you may have to choose custom install and choose converters


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    #3
    bonzodog2
    Registered Users Posts: 6,213 ✭✭✭bonzodog2


    If your old laptop is still working, see if Works will save the docs as a different file type, e.g. Word97 or *.rtf


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    #4
    johnfar_ie
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭johnfar_ie


    I'm pretty sure OpenOffice will open these files as well


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    #5
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    OpenOffice does not support Microsoft Works.

    If you don't have access to a computer with Microsoft Works, you can use some online conversion service, e.g. ZamZar to convert your WPS files to RTF or DOC. (Note: be careful with the cloud and confidential documents.)

    FreeViewer can also open WPS files. FreeViewer has some basic conversion capabilities, though I wouldn't know if they cover WPS. Worth a try before spending money on MS Office anyway.


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    #6
    zziplex
    Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭zziplex


    Thank you very much folks for all the speedy replys, I spent the last few hours typing like a madman to make up for lost time/work.

    I might just might get the old laptop going .... Last time i tried it took 30 min.

    Im out of trouble for now anyway so ill try all the above stuff to retrieve the other files.

    Thanks again!


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