[Solved] Won't open old docs

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gmthomas44
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[Solved] Won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

writer won't open old .odt documents, keeps giving me "filter", in win 10 pro, Open Office ver 4.1.7. tried deleting open office and re-installing, still won't work.
Last edited by Hagar Delest on Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: tagged solved
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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RoryOF
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

Did these old docs come forward from an earlier computer? Normally the ASCII filter message indicates that the file is corrupt, which corruption may have happened in such a transfer from an older computer.

If you would upload a sample file to the Forum, we'll check for such corruption.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Xubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
gmthomas44
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

it's on same computer. Was working and then stopped working. How do I upload file??
Thanks for ans.
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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RoryOF
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

Upload tab is below Submit button on PostReply and FullEditor screens.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Xubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
gmthomas44
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

here is the file, I thought. clicked on "upload attachment", then clicked on "add the file" & nothing happened
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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RoryOF
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

Try again!
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gmthomas44
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

I click on "quick reply" then "Full editor", then "upload attachment", then "browse", looks like file is in white shaded area then click on "add", Nothing happens
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
John_Ha
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Re: won't open old docs

Post by John_Ha »

gmthomas44 wrote:I click on "quick reply"
Use POSTREPLY.
LO 6.4.4.2, Windows 10 Home 64 bit

See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.

Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
gmthomas44
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

tried that, still won't do anything after "add"
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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Zizi64
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by Zizi64 »

The file size limit is 128 KiB in this forum. You can share the larger files in a free file sharing service, like the Google drive.
Tibor Kovacs, Hungary; LO7.5.8 /Win7-10 x64Prof.
PortableApps/winPenPack: LO3.3.0-7.6.2;AOO4.1.14
Please, edit the initial post in the topic: add the word [Solved] at the beginning of the subject line - if your problem has been solved.
gmthomas44
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

Thanks, I'll try another file: Tried one that was only 10.5 , still no luck
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
John_Ha
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by John_Ha »

Use POSTREPLY - it opens as below
Attachments
Clipboard02.png
LO 6.4.4.2, Windows 10 Home 64 bit

See the Writer Guide, the Writer FAQ, the Writer Tutorials and Writer for students.

Remember: Always save your Writer files as .odt files. - see here for the many reasons why.
Bill
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by Bill »

gmthomas44 wrote:tried that, still won't do anything after "add"
Click the "Preview" button. You should see the attachment at the bottom of the Preview. You won't see anything in the box where you type your reply.
AOO 4.1.14 on Ubuntu MATE 22.04
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RoryOF
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

The "add the file" button may take a few seconds to work; this depends on speed of your Internet connection, as it has to upload the file, which can be slower than a download speed.
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RoryOF
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

Let's try this a different way. Please click on the link in this post and download the file, and try to open it. Does it open all right? If so, that proves that there is no problem with your OO installation
Attachments
Pride and Prejudice chap 1-4.odt
(21.66 KiB) Downloaded 103 times
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Xubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
gmthomas44
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

Thanks for your patience Rory, but it downloaded and when I clicked on the download, it says"completed" but still nothing happens.
I have removed OO twice and re-installed and none of the programs in OO open. When I click on the 'writer' program it won't open.
I've used this program for years and this is the first time I have had a problem. I've used it on this laptop for at least 3 months.
Thanks again for your help. Don't know what to do now.
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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RoryOF
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

You should double click on the download (or any file) to cause it to open in its associated application.

I recommend uninstalling OpenOffice, removing the OO User Profile (details at
viewtopic.php?f=74&t=12426#p58401
) and reinstalling OpenOffice from a fresh download, only from

http://www.openoffice.org/download/
(as automatically redirected).
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Xubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
gmthomas44
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by gmthomas44 »

Hello Rory, I de-installed and re-installed @ OO.org and writer is now working. Only, it will open some files but not all, could it be files that were on one drive and got corrupted? Anyway, as long as writer is working I will just accept what I can get for now. I really appreciate your help with this old Scotsman from SW Georgia!
open office 4.1.7 on windows 10 pro
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RoryOF
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Re: Won't open old docs

Post by RoryOF »

If the old files give you an ASCII filter message, and newer files open correctly without such message, then the old files are corrupt; they will contain no useful information.
Apache OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Xubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
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