MS Works compatibility issue

Hello,

I have just installed a new computer where the user's old computer had a lot of Works word processing files (.wps), I have transfered these across to the new PC however it wont open them, it says that they might have the wrong file extenstion or might be corrupt.

The file extentions are correct (.wps in both cases) and the file icon is recognised, if a file is clicked in Windows Explorer Works opens so the files are recognised as Works documents.

The old PC is on Win 98SE so whatever version of Works came with that, the new one is XP Home.


I have never used Works myself - any ideas?





Thanks.

You need Ms Works viewer probably from here but check it out.

You have misunderstood the original question. It is about Works documents not Word docs.

You can open Works documents from Word 2003 by using open dialogue box and then selecting Works documents in drop down box "Files of type"

See here ...

Convert Works documents to Word format

Edited by Nick_Russell (Fri 14-Mar-08 11:51:56)

Hi thanks, I have tried Word 2007 to no avail, I have also come across the following links one of which will solve it I reckon:


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841219/en-us

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940003/en-us

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/200334/en-us

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bf41401e-70fa-465d-ae2e-cf44dbf05297&DisplayLang=en


Regards.

Try opening in Word, but use the option ..recover text from any file, in the file.. open menu.

or open in notepad, and scroll down all the wps formatting codes until you see the correct text, then copy and paste to your favourite word processor.

B

Hi, Yes opening using "recover text from any file" works in either Word 2007 or Works 9.0 however it loses some formatting so I want to get to the bottom of the issue.

The original Works word processor docs were created in Works 4.5, it seems that all versions of Works up to 8.X have a file converter for 4.5 though the new Works 9.0 doesnt! Incidentally this file converter is also in Word 2000, 2002 and 2003 though not 2007!

I have an unsed copy of Works 8.5 so am going to uninstall Works 9.0 and load 8.5 which should allow the user to access all old Works docs with no problems.


Thanks.


Thew

Yup, Works 8.5 is the answer, it opens the Works 4.5 files with a warning that it is using a file convertor though retaims the formatting and allows the file to be saved in the later file format.

perhaps you should advise you client to save such documents as rtf for future usage...

Thanks, that is a good idea.

Sorry to but in on this topic. I hope it is still open. I have a similar problem transfering Works 4.5 wps documents from W98 to Vista's Works 9. I notice that I can open the documents without loosing the formatting in my XP computer using Works 7 so I shall install it on my Vista. Does anyone know, is it possible to do a straight forward install without affecting Works 9? Brian