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I can’t open email attachments of file extension .doc and .xls No problem with .tif, .pdf, etc. When I click on it, Excel or Word opens, then this message appears: File name., e.g., :
‘TEST for opening xls.xls’ cannot be accessed. The file may be read-only, or you may be trying to access a read-only location, or the server the document is stored on may not be responding.’

The techie from the Server company assures me the problem is no fault of the Server. Eudora techies point out that this is a Windows problem, tried to help anyway, but to no avail. Any sugestions?
Jim Bibb

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If it’s a “Read Only” issue. you could try downloading the file to your system or a floppy and then right-click on the file, choose Properties and simply uncheck the “Read Only” box in the properties window. You could click on the “Archive” box to make the file an archive file if you wanted, but that shouldn’t make a difference.

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Potentially, you’ve got temporary files on your hard drive that aren’t allowing additional ones to be created. You can clean up your hard drive:

http://www.thewordexpert.com/cleanyourpc.htm

Additionally, hit Start–Run and type %TEMP% and hit enter. This will take you to the temporary folder that Windows is using. Make sure you can copy a file (any file–just a test) to that folder. Perhaps for some dumb reason, it’s gotten marked as read only?

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I followed the instructions on your website. I deleted 9,406 TMP files. Result: No change in the problem. I will run the process again today.

I am able to copy files to the TEMP folder.

The .doc and .xls files that wont open are Archive checked. I unchecked some to see what would happen. You are right, doesn’t seem to make a difference. In any event the files still wont open.
Thanks for your interest in solving this weirdness.
Jim Bibb

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Hey there. What version of Office are you running, Jim?

Perhaps we need to re-register your file types. Test this for me, would you? Detach those files to your hard drive and tell me if you can open them from there by:

a) double-clicking
File-Open from Word and/or Excel

Just to let you know, you have broken my previous record (with a client at work) of 6,600 temp files. Running the process again should not do much for you.

And…the stationery instructions are IN the stationary. Just open one of the items. There’s nothing really nifty about the stationery except that some people may not know how to set up a two-page stationery in a one-page document.

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THINK I SENT THIS BUT NOT SURE, SENDING AGAIN.
Hey there. What version of Office are you running, Jim?

—-Wiin98, Office 97, Eudora 5.1, Paid version

Perhaps we need to re-register your file types. Test this for me, would you? Detach those files to your hard drive and tell me if you can open them from there by:

a) double-clicking
File-Open from Word and/or Excel

—-I am trying to open from the Eudora Attach file list. Double clicking brings up the error message

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I’ve seen this problem when you run out of quota on a Novell network. Even copying the affected (Excel) file to floppy disk and trying to open it on a stand-alone machine produces the same error message. Seems as if it gets corrupted somehow, so badly that you can’t even retrieve anything by linking another spreadsheet to it.

Never did find a solution, other than getting a fresh copy, recovering an earlier version from backup or, as a last resort, re-creating the file.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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Mabe you downloaded and opened something that changed the default program (accidentally) that is supposed to open that type file. Did you see a checked box saying something like,

” Always use this program to open this type file”

Just before the problem started?

This has happened to me several times with photo programs, and had to manually change back to the make the original program the default again.

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No, I don’t recall seeing that message in this context.
Jim

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Tex,
Good thought but…..

If he’d changed that setting none of the .doc or .xls files would open now.

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OOPPS!

I misread the post. I thought (at first) that prior to that date all files of this type would open.. I *ass u me d ” (incorrectly) that meant no files like that would open now. But if the ones recieved before the date in question will still open, I stand corrected. Thanks for bringing the error to my attention.

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Frustrating, ain’t it?

Thanks,
Jim

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You sound a bit frayed around the edges. I’ll make this short. In your reply post to me earlier (#144095) you said

“I have attached an example of a file that wont open.”

There was no file attached. Was that an oversight or did the file not transfer when you sent the post??

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Doc:

Yes, or rather, I tried to attach it. I will try again. I am new to using the Lounge (and could not at all during the Can’t Logon episode). Anyway, the stinky problem persists and I am indeed
Jim

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I can’t open it either using Win 98SE and Office 97. It shows its name as mso320.xls but I get an error message similar to the one you described. I believe it may be corrupt from the sender because I have no trouble opening anything else.

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I can open it with 2002 but it has all kinds of problems.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave,
If you still have that XL file could you check the properties tab and see if it shows all 5 tabs. It only shows the General tab on my Win 98 / Office 97 setup and I’m curious how your XP (2002) version displays the properties, as it’s the only one that seems able to open this puppy.

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I open it again got the same errors and the 5 tabs are there. The error pane is attached, is the one when the file was opened.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave,
Thanks for jumping back in on this. It would seem from what you’ve said and from the attached error message that Office XP generates, that the file is seriously damaged and beyond repair. I’d bet that it was created in Office XP and then ……… who knows what could have happened to it. The fact that it only opens in XP would seem to indicate it’s origins.
Perhaps a DNA test to establish paternity ????

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Jim,
I can’t open it either on a Win 98SE, Office 97SR1setup and also have no problems with any other files. From Dave’s reply I’m guessing that the file was created in Office XP and has become corrupted somehow. Perhaps when someone attempted to save it in another Office version format. Can you have the sender recreate the document and save it in the version of Office that you are using before sending it?? I’m just grasping at straws here, but I’d venture that you are looking for someone to grasp by the throat. TIGHTLY !!!

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Jim,
I downloaded your file and fooled with it a bit. It appears that it is corrupted. My opinion is based on the fact that the file’s properties window has only one tab, General. From my experience, all Office documents have at least 5 tabs in the properties window, General, Summary, Statistics, Contents & Custom. Check this file’s properties against one of the files that you got before May 15th and see how they match up. If they don’t, I’d check and see if the source of the file upgraded their Office software around the 15th of May.
Again, I’m just guessin’ at this. If Dave still has the file on his system, perhaps he could see how the properties tab reads on the version he’s got. That might help determine how the file was created and what format it is (Office 97, 2000 or XP).

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the file opened for me
i’m using office xp
excel had to do a repair
but it did open

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Jim,
Looks like we’ve come up with something that resembles an answer to your problem. Or at least a place to begin looking for a final solution. It’s almost certain that something has changed in the senders version of Office…

It would seem the original file was created using Office XP and from there it becomes a bit fuzzy. I would first ask the source of the file about their Office software, if they did upgrade around the 15th and what Office version the file was saved in (you would seem to need the files saved in Office 97 format). If nothing has changed there, then it must be getting corrupted in transit, although that would seem unlikely on an ongoing basis.
We would appear to be getting close. Let us know how you make out.

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Doc:
I will ask the sender what he was doing on or about the night of the 15th. I know they installed MS Project 2002 about the same date so they may have made other changes.

I expect to receive from the Sender a new SkidDimensionSize.xls file direct from him tomorrow, with answers about any changes he may have made

Someone in the Lounge, I will reply to him direct later, made an observation about Properties and the Tabs. Right. Before the Mess, I have not a complete check through all the files, 6 Tabs. The files in Question: 2 tabs, General and Virus Property. None have Viruses, however. I have PCcillin 2000 running and updated.

Also received and opend .cvs (on-line banking) files today wthout problem! The problem seems to be isolated. I have reinstalled Windows 98 from the CD. No change noticable.

Thanks for your continued interest.
Jim

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Jim,
If your sender upgraded to Project 2002, I’ll bet he went the whole route to Office XP as well. I was the one who referenced the properties tab in my reply post #145594 to you on June 2. You are getting the same results I got when I downloaded your file and checked it (I don’t have the Virus tab ’cause I’m not running PCcillin). I’m 99.99% certain it’s a version conflict at this point. If that’s the case, your sender will have to save everything he sends to you in Office 97 format (I’m assuming that’s what you are running) or you’ll have to upgrade to XP. MS has to keep that cash register ringin’. World domination doesn’t come cheap ya know !!

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Doc:
Yep ’97. Can’t find out until Monday just what they have done. I had a friend downtown send me a TEST .xls saved for sure in Microsoft Excel 97 Workbook. Same result. Same error message. The version conflict: Could XP send a virus-like thing along with an attachment that could cause this? With the aggravation I have been through recently, It is easy to get paranoid. Such a monstrous suggestion, that the World According to Gates is gaining control.

I had dismissed the rumor that Windows has built-in insidious failure points that kick in after a certain age, or if certain conditions occur, causing parts of Windows to start to fail. System files to deteriorate, etc., thus encouraging us to Upgrade. Sounds unlikely in the extreme but it is possible for even dedicated paranoids to have real enemies!

I installed Cable Modem recently, as indicated elsewhere, so no longer have Dial-Up Connection. I think there are problems with the system here in Bolivia, which, however remote a possibility, could have some bearing on the Problem. “This ain’t Kansas, Toto!” I am having it checked out once again on Monday and will revert to my old ISP if this, and other problems and annoyances : inconsistant speed, connection failures, aren’t resolved. For example, I can’t now connect ICQ because it wants a Dial-Up and I don’t know how to make it cooperate with or recognize Cable Modem.
Have a good weekend. I will report in on Monday with any news of interest.
Thanks again, Doc.
Jim

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Jim,
When did you make the switch to the cable ISP?? I doubt that had any effect but you did say you are working in … Bolivia??? …. It troubles me that the file you got from a different source that was saved in the ’97 format won’t open either. Is there any way you can get a file created on another system and snail mailed or hand delivered to you to check and be certain that it’s not something to do with the way your ISP handles Office attachments? Also, is your source able to open and use attachments created in Office by you and sent to him?? How about your friend “in town”?? Can they open your Office stuff when sent??
Do they practice Voodoo in Bolivia ???

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Doc:
Sorry for the delay in responding. My company is installing a gas processing plant some miles south of Santa Cruz, Bo., and I have to be at the site sometimes days in a row.

I switch to Cable IPS about May 1. At this moment I am using a dial-up supplied by the Server company. Seems that my house is located too far from the Central. The service is is erratic at best so they are supposed to be working on the lines to my part of town, installing boosters or something and are suppose to have be back on line Monday June 17. Meanwhile the dial-up is supposed to be 52K but I think it is working at about 2K today – frustrating, cant get anything done. Email, however seems to work just fine.
The first winter storm came through – took a week+ the worst I have seen here, and caused problems in the phone systems, etc. All that’s getting cleared up too. When I try to go via www to the Server I get a HTTP 404 this afternoon! I would call up the Smilies page and find an appropriate one to put here but at the download rate I am enjoying today, this would take an hour. So: <:-{
I will try / confirm the things you have suggested as soon as I can = Monday if the VooDoo has dispersed.

Thanks again,
Jim {-: (smiley from the southern hemisphere)

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Jim,
If nothing else, I gotta admire your sense of humor !! I guess working in a third world country with “other world” technology will give one a thick skin to deal with all the adversity.
Whenever the “Llama Express” gets through with the e-mail will be just fine.

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> Start–Run and type %TEMP% and hit ente

Thank you! A nice little tip.

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I have done that and as indicated elsewhere, found 9,640 files which I deleted. My Disk Cleanup, doesn’t.
Thanks,
Jim

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Thanks for your suggestion. I have tried it. All the documents in question, that wont open, are Archive checked.
The problem started on or about May 15. All attachments prior to that date open with out problem. All .doc and .xls attchments received after that date wont open. Weird. I have attached an example of a file that wont open.
Jim Bibb

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Have you tried to open any of those .doc or .xls attachments on adifferent machine??

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I have copied them to a floppy and will try to open on another machine, tomorrow.

Thanks,
Jim

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