my windows were formatted a couple of months ago and after the new installation, a newer version of ms office was installed on to my computer (ms office 2003), previously i had ms office xp, now the problem is the old files that were not formatted aren't working, rather they open and start showing my several machine languages that it would open in, i dont want that, i want my files in regular english, i ve trying to recover these files for a long time now but its just not working out, any computer genius sitting around please help me out
122157
try to install ms office 2003 conversion tool with the installation disk which allow you to be backward compatible, so lower version excel/word file could be open by latest version.
211569
Search for extensions like .doc .xls . jpg\n\nDelete them where approprate.  this usually fixes most peoples problem..  Personally I would never use windows 98...  go get a copy of 2k or xp..
414553
Windows 98 installation disk cannot be used to format Windows XP drive because Windows XP usually setted up as NTFS ( new file manager system), while windows 98 supports FAT32 (old file manager system) only. Other words, old one cannot do anything over new one.\n\nYou can use Windows XP installation disk (you may own it) if you don't have the disk you can use another software like Hiren boot CD...to format your HDD first ( It has to be FAT or FAT32 because windows 98 cannot "see" NTFS), then use windows 98 installation disk.
454752
Assuming you have the Office CD, have it ready in case the "reapir" ask for it.\nGo into the Control Panel\nDouble Click the Add or Remove Progam icon\nFind and click on MS Office\nClick on the "Change" button\nYou should get a screen with an option to "repair" office\nSelect the "repair" option\nIf prompted, but in the Office CD\nThe repair should reinstall any missing or altered files\nThen try the update(s) again
390451
Go through your entire home folder and remove ALL the plists that have *anything* to do with word or office for that matter. Make sure you also remove the 'microsoft user data' or something along those lines in your home documents folder as well.Works every time I need to fix that when I'm at work. Let me know how it goes!
670745
Let me get this right, it says you need to format it, in order to be able to use it?  The only thing I can think of is if you were trying to boot from it, it might say that, but Windows is telling you this?  If you were using Windows XP you shouldn't even have needed to install drivers, it should have just worked.  Format means it would completely wipe the drive, typically done when you either want to sell the drive or reinstall Windows.\n\nIs the drive working now?  I just can't fathom this... unless you aren't using Windows XP.  What operating system are you using right now?\n\nI'm asking because if the drive had Windows XP on it, it was most likely formatted as a NTFS drive.  If you plugged the drive into a Windows 98/ME machine, it would not recognize the NTFS format (probably, it's been a LONG time since I've used any Windows 9x OS) and would want to format it.\n\nWell, that's your problem then.  Windows ME will not recognize a drive that had Windows XP on it that was formatted as NTFS.  If the XP drive had been formatted as FAT32 then Windows ME would not have had a problem with it.  But, since it isn't recognizing it, it's a safe assumption that the drive was formatted as NTFS.  I think the "computer guy" assumed that it was FAT32 (though how he could have missed that is beyond me) or that you were going to plug it into another Windows XP machine.  If it were a blank drive (non-formatted) it would indeed be compatible with all the operating systems you listed.  But, as I said, the NTFS format is compatible only with Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS can read NTFS formatted volumes but not write to them.\n\nGet access to a PC that has Windows XP on it, plug the drive it, pull all the files you want off of it, burn them to a CD or stick them on a flash drive and transfer them to your laptop.  Or get yourself a new laptop that has Windows XP on it.  (I don't know how much you are willing to spend in this pursuit).\n\nTo everyone who's answered this question, it's not a drive problem or a USB problem, it's the simple fact that Windows ME cannot read a NTFS formatted drive.\n\nThat gives me another thought.  While you can safely convert a FAT32 volume to NTFS the same is not true for NTFS to FAT32, in fact, it's dangerous, it may result in data loss.  Partition Magic among other programs has the ability to convert a NTFS volume back to FAT32 but it may result in damaging files and you may end up having to reformat the drive after all.\n\nThe only answer and the only correct answer is to plug the drive into a Windows XP or 2000 based system and see if the drive is recognized, I'm 99% sure it will be.  If it is not then I could only take a wild guess as to what is wrong with it.
648187
The data is probably (hopefully!) still there, the system just cannot display it.  Head for Control Panel and poke around in Regional Options.  There's an option somewhere around (can't remember where exactly) that allows you to install further language packs - you'll need to reinstall Greek characters.  You may need your Windows 98 disc.
425335
In MS Word, go to Tools, then Language, then Set Language.  Choose English.  \n\nThe available languages can be selected when you install MS Word, so if you don't have all the languages (maybe that's your question) insert the distribution CD.  From there, you should be able to figure out how to update/install the languages.\n\nIt sometimes would help letting us know what version of the software you are running, and on what OS.\n\n=mike
299942
I have tried 3 alternatives. I will list them in order of compatability with MS Office.\n\n1. Open Office - you said to exclude this but it is by far the most compatible to use instead of MS Office. There are usually no issues opening any of the file types.\n\n2. Ability Office - Nice cheap and seems to work well. Definatly not a bad alternative. we found a few bugs opening spreadsheets, but that was for the most part the only issue we had.\n\n3. Star Office(sun microsystems) - An alterative that we did not look to much into. We were warned off by other people that were using it. \n\nhope this helps...
6887
Try doing a Save As when you open the file in the way you mentioned, and then check if the new file opens as usual. If it does not, try reinstalling Office.
546415
k k ,\n\nI do not know what are your actual circunstances, but I suggest you a good habit: buy original software.   \n\nLet me give you an option:\nI accidentally got two original Office Professional 2003.  That was this year!  I bought them in different web sites. When I tried to return one of them, the webcompany refuse me and my bank did not help me, my credit card was applied twice.   I already installed one but the other is doing nothing.  It is still packaged in its original envelope.\n\nI paid for it USD 380.oo     and you can get this original software by USD 265.oo   good price!   Original software will give you security sensation, peace.  When microsoft get scan your PC, they'll  find original licenses.\n\nI can show you this package through a web cam if you add me to your msn.  rpctron at hotm....\n\nRemember that Office Professional 2003 includes:\nExcel 2003,  PowerPoint 2003, Word 2003, Outlook 2003, Access 2003, Publisher 2003, Infopath 2003 all of them for only USD 265.oo.  It is a bargain price!!!\n\nHope that helps you.  Good luck dude!
195244
It sounds like you have a virus, or Windows XP is just being it's normal self and stuffing up.\n\nYou can try the following...\nOpen the program that the file is used in ( ie: .xls file opens with Excel, .doc opens with Word ) then use the File > Open buttons to open the file that way.\n\nOr find the file you want to open, hold down the shift button while right clicking on the file, and click on open with, choose the program.\n\nYou may want to run a repair, or uninstall, restart, then reinstall the software you use, and last of all, if all else fails, do a reinstall on Windows XP.
453672
Have a look on the link below - i haven't used Outlook for some time, but I would imagine the "import/export" tool would be the best way to go. Other than that it might just be better to create a new compatible folder.\n\nJust keep in mind that Office 2007 is just around the corner, and a lot of work has gone into making things much more backwards and forward compatible - might be worth your while taking a look if you are running multiple platforms/versions
325876
It either needs to be saved in a format that MS word can open, or (I think) saved as a text file.  It's been awhile since I've done this.\n\nThe person who sent it can change the format under Save As on the file menu.  \n\nUnfortunately, Clarisworks is outdated, so you might have difficulties.
654528
sounds like a security patch. I highly reccomend upgrade'n to Windows XP. \n\nYou can try using Office 97 instead of 2000. only problem with that is the databases you created might not be compatable with the older version of office. \n\n1st: Try unistalling any security packages recently installed. \n2nd: completely uninstall office on all computers and install fresh from CD.
439845
If you trust this person (which means that this file is not a virus)\nright click on the file > open with > MS word\nor\ngo to my computer > tools > folder options > uncheck hide the extensions for known file types ...\nThen rename the file ... *.dat   to     *.doc
614588
open file in ms word and do as i write here\n\npress Ctrl+H   in Find What: type   ,\n                  in Replace with: type   ","\n\nthen press Repalce all.\n\nthen save file in what ever format you like.\n\nhave a nice time