Anyone have a large sledgehammer

charlies_mum

I spent an hour this morning updating an Exel file and then my computer crashed and I lost everything. Few choice expletives muttered and then I started again, saving every few lines as I went along. Nearly finished and the ******* computer crashed again, never mind I thought, it is saved on the C drive.

Tried to open the file and it says it is a read only file which cannot be accessed. Anyone know the answer before I take a very large sledgehammer to my computer

maxamos

Try starting your computer in safe mode, open the file and then save it under a slightly different name.

If that doesn't work if your using Xp go to the last restore point and you should at least get the original file back though you;ll have to update it again.

espresso

Try starting your computer in safe mode, open the file and then save it under a slightly different name.

A read only file can still be opened by Excel but it will say [Read only] in the top line.

Use Explorer to check the properties of your saved file by Right clicking on the file name. You should see if it is indeed read only.

You could also try making a copy of this file with a different name and try opening that file.

charlies_mum

Excuse such a stupid question, but I'm not in the slightest bit technical - how do I start my computer in safe mode

John_Gray

A quick Google for "safe mode" found this.

After you've managed to save it properly, go into Excel, then click on Tools then on Options then on the Save tab. Set up Auto-Recover for 5 (say) minutes, or whatever number you like, and specify somewhere to save the spreadsheet.

John

charlies_mum

I've tried checking the file, but it doesn't say it is read only. The error message I'm getting is '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.' I've tried to open other Exel files on the C drive and they are fine. I've tried sending the file to another location, but it won't let me open them either.

rsykes2000

Hi C_M - when you switch the PC on, basically keep pressing the F8 key on the top of the keyboard and it will after a few seconds present you with a list of options, one being 'Safe Mode'.

elvis_bloggs

This might help........

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=12986