Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Three of my files have been blocked for some reason and I am not able to open them. It has been happening for quite a while now and I can't remember what exactly it said, I think it was something to do with not having Admin permission, but it is possible it didn't say that! Every time I open Open Office it shows the three files and says not recovered yet, then starts recovery but fails. I am worried it could happen to other files. Hope I am making sense and someone will be able to advise me.

If files cannot be recovered on startup, they are damaged beyond repair; then may have been open when computer or program crashed or were closed down too hastily before the internal computer housekeeping was complete. To prevent this repetitive prompt for recovery, simply choose "cancel" when prompted to recover.

The question then arises of how to recover such files. There may be deleted pr hidden temporary or backup files. Look in the backup folder in the OpenOffice User profile. Alternately, use an undelete utility such as Recuva or PhotoRec (only one of these is needed) and see if it recovers files of about the correct date.

Thank you, I will give your suggestions a try.

Vivienne Hayes wrote: ↑Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:03 am Three of my files have been blocked for some reason and I am not able to open them. … Hope … someone will be able to advise me.

You could attach one or all of the files so others can try to open them. Attach the Writer document, not a picture.

Vivienne Hayes wrote: ↑Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:03 am I can't remember what exactly it said …

That information would be very helpful, so use a camera to take a photo of the message on the screen if this happens again so you can provide the exact message text.