.dat - files

[ALF]

Good evening again!

Another question:
A partner sent me emails with documents attached.
They arrived as ".dat - file" and (of course) I could not open them.
He is using Oo as well and he says that I am the only one who has problems with his emails.
.pdf - documents he sent then I could open.

Other emails I can receive without any trouble.

Somebody has an idea?

Regards and thanks
ALF

[Hagar Delest]

Hi,

Do you remember that one: [Solved] To open .dat - emails?

Thanks to add '[Solved]' at beginning of your first post title (edit button) if your issue has been fixed.

[ALF]

Hello!

You are right of course. But this "solved" was for a part of it only.
The saving problem was solved. The .dat problem persisits....

I assume that I have some bad adjustment... No idea!


And: I don't feel very well to bother people with my amateur-stuff, but I really don't know!

Good that YOU can still laugh about my "stuff"!

[Hagar Delest]

Sometimes the mail or security applications don't recognize the .doc format from OOo. In such case, try to zip the .doc file. As this is a binary format, you'll reduce heavily the file size in the mean time (except if you've a lot of pictures inside).

[ALF]

If there is a problem because the Antivirus... can I adjust it then
I use AVG and the normal Windows Friewall.

[Hagar Delest]

No, I'm talking about the mail server security applications. I don't think you can do anything. But you said that zipping failed, that's rather strange.

[ALF]

Just tried again to open with 7-Zip: A message comes up: Incorrect command line

[TheGurkha]

First thing you need to do is ask whoever sent it to you what program they used to create the .dat file.

[thomasjk]

This issue is quite common with Microsoft Outlook and also using MS Word to send the email. This site http://www.winmaildat.com/ can convert the .dat file. It may also be possible to open it in Notepad. See this site for some suggested solutions http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~jbenson/resource/winmail.htm. Who ever is sending you the these emails will have to make the changes.

[ALF]

I think he uses Outlook... but I have to ask him next week.

Notepad opens it but the result is a full page of chinese looking signs.
I tried to upload a file to this winmail-page with 81,5 kB, but a message came up telling that if the file is smaller than 20 kB it probably does not contain any documents.

The rest I have to try next week - pffffffffffffffffffff...

At least I have the document from my partner received as a pdf-file meanwhile, but it is a basic problem.

Thanks a lot!

[TheGurkha]

But what type of program created the .dat file?

He may have used Outlook to send it, but what created it?

Word, OOo, Paint, something else?

[Hagar Delest]

But what type of program created the .dat file?

He may have used Outlook to send it, but what created it?

I think it's the mail server of the internet access provider.

[ALF]

He uses Oo as well.

[TheGurkha]

And what is he saving it as? A normal .odt or ods file, a .doc file or what?

And then it gets turned into a .dat once it has been emailed? Is this what you mean?

[Hagar Delest]

And then it gets turned into a .dat once it has been emailed? Is this what you mean?

Yes.

[roofingadmin]

I am having this problem too, it just started today. Sending e-mails from micosoft word with a doc attachment that converts to dat file. I sent the same files yesterday and was sent fine. Now today I am having problems.. HELP

[Hagar Delest]

Have you tried to zip the file before sending? You can't do much about that, it depends on the mail servers I think.

[roofingadmin]

So my e-mail server changed over nite ????

[Hagar Delest]

Either yours (update?) or the one of your addressee.

[thomasjk]

The conversion to .dat files is an issue with MS Office and its settings. This issue is quite common with Microsoft Outlook and also using MS Word to send the email. This site http://www.winmaildat.com/ can convert the .dat file. It may also be possible to open it in Notepad. See this site for some suggested solutions http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~jbenson/resource/winmail.htm to prevent this from happening..

[ALF]

I tried the Winmal - no luck, no effect. I got me the Winmail Opener as you recommended.
Same thing with the notepad.

So it proceeds. At least it is not only me that has the problem. I believe the best solution is to send documents pdf-ed. Even is then there is no editing possible at the other end.

[TheGurkha]

Or zip the files before sending, as Hagar suggested. Perhaps your mail system will leave those alone.