Lost important files - Please help

slopemaster

Lil306 wrote: »

...delete the little folder on the left called MSWord6.wpc and then restart then try again
...

Thanks for your comprehensive post which I've been working through
I've deleted that file.
Now, instead of saying 'the converter mswrd632', it just says this file needs a converter – but otherwise the same, the file appears to be blank when it opens.

Lil306 wrote: »

it would depend on your autosave settings. If you go to tools - options - general / save, in Word there will be autosave, if it's ticked it should try and autosave things to the path mentioned...

Regarding recovery programs, Easeus do quite a good one, but the best one I'd recommend is Recuva...

Funny thing is autosave hasn't worked for ages. I set it to save every 5 minutes, but all taht happens is a box pops up every 5 minutes to say autosave was deferred. So, when I'm working on a file, I obsessively click save all the time. But it seems I actually need to make a backup on a CD or a memory stcik every hour or so to prevent this kind of problem I've just had.

I've tried Recuva but it didn't find the files I need – and all the ones it did offer to recover were coming up with that same message about needing a file converter – and when they opened, thay were full of weird characters. Now off to try Easeus....

Lil306

It looks unlikely the data is still there if the file sizes are 0kb

Can I ask, where are these files being stored, on a USB pen ?

Also sometimes when autosave doesn't work, you sometimes need to un-tick it, apply, then re-tick it and apply. Word is a bit funny like this

The message just forces Windows to use it's default converter pack, you can download additional ones on the Microsoft Office website to view other file types.

What is the file extension for the files with the problem?

Are you able to open the files with Notepad and/or Wordpad?

slopemaster

Lil306 wrote: »

It looks unlikely the data is still there if the file sizes are 0kb

Oh dear, I was beginning to fear so

Lil306 wrote: »

Can I ask, where are these files being stored, on a USB pen ?

Nope, on the main hard drive

Lil306 wrote: »

Also sometimes when autosave doesn't work, you sometimes need to un-tick it, apply, then re-tick it and apply. Word is a bit funny like this

Will try, thanks

Lil306 wrote: »

What is the file extension for the files with the problem?
Are you able to open the files with Notepad and/or Wordpad?

Soorry, don't know how to find file extension?
The ones that work OK say 'Word document' for file type
The ones that have the problem say 'texte brut' which I suppose is 'plain text'

Both Notepad and Wordpad will open the problem files, but they are blank.
Its llooking bad, isn't it?
Thanks for your time and effort so far, any way

Lil306

slopemaster wrote: »

Soorry, don't know how to find file extension?
The ones that work OK say 'Word document' for file type
The ones that have the problem say 'texte brut' which I suppose is 'plain text'

Both Notepad and Wordpad will open the problem files, but they are blank.
Its llooking bad, isn't it?
Thanks for your time and effort so far, any way

1 - Open my documents
2 - click tools - folder options
3 - click view tab - untick the box "hide file extensions for known file types"
4 - click apply

Now look at the files with the problems....

If they're plain text, then they should in the format of file.txt, if it's something like file.txt.doc then the extensions will need changing around.

slopemaster

Lil306 wrote: »

1If they're plain text, then they should in the format of file.txt, if it's something like file.txt.doc then the extensions will need changing around.

Thanks for explaining that.
They're just in the format file.doc - like the ones without the problem
How would I change them around??

Lil306

slopemaster wrote: »

Thanks for explaining that.
They're just in the format file.doc - like the ones without the problem
How would I change them around??

.doc as en extension would suggest they are Microsoft Word files..

To change their association, rename the file when viewing the file extensions (right click rename, or highlight and press f2) and give it the filename format of filename.txt, instead of filename.doc

You may get an error about changing file format to which you click yes to, then just double click and it will try opening with notepad.

Can you upload the files your having problems with ?

BTW, have you tried running a search for files + folders, with start - search for files & folders

Given that you had autosave on, it's possible the files are stored in the temporary folder...
c:\documents & Settings\username\local settings\temp... or something similar to that they will look something like ~WRL000.tmp

slopemaster

Lil306 wrote: »

.To change their association, rename the file ...then just double click and it will try opening with notepad.

Yes, it opens - but still empty!

Lil306 wrote: »

.
Can you upload the files your having problems with ?

Seems not.
At the bottom ofthe page under posting rules it says 'you may not post attachments'. Not sure why - need a certain number of posts???

Lil306 wrote: »

.
BTW, have you tried running a search for files + folders, with start - search for files & folders
Given that you had autosave on, it's possible the files are stored in the temporary folder...
c:\documents & Settings\username\local settings\temp... or something similar to that they will look something like ~WRL000.tmp

Thanks for that - I HAD searched, but maybe not in the right place as my disc is partitioned.
I have now found what appears to be an autosaved version of one of the files I need, but it is also 0kb so not too hopeful. Its an asb file. Comes up saying it doesn't know what type of file it is, but it opens in Wordpad. But it's empty too.
Sigh.

Lil306

slopemaster wrote: »

Yes, it opens - but still empty!



Seems not.
At the bottom ofthe page under posting rules it says 'you may not post attachments'. Not sure why - need a certain number of posts???



Thanks for that - I HAD searched, but maybe not in the right place as my disc is partitioned.
I have now found what appears to be an autosaved version of one of the files I need, but it is also 0kb so not too hopeful. Its an asb file. Comes up saying it doesn't know what type of file it is, but it opens in Wordpad. But it's empty too.
Sigh.

The rule setup on the board stops you posting attachments to the baord itself, but you're allowed to upload files to places like rapidshare, google docs etc and post the links here.

I think you are going to need to look in the temp locations with search files, as any file with 0kb in it has no data whatsoever

Regarding .ASB
Detailed information for file extension ASB:

Primary association: Alphacam
Company: Planit
File classification: CAD/CAM

Did you get any luck with Easeus data recovery, have you checked somewhere like the recycle bin?

slopemaster

Lil306 wrote: »

The rule setup on the board stops you posting attachments to the baord itself, but you're allowed to upload files to places like rapidshare, google docs etc and post the links here.

ah, yes, silly me

Lil306 wrote: »

Did you get any luck with Easeus data recovery, have you checked somewhere like the recycle bin?

I have now done everything and got to the end of the road I think. No luck with either of the data recovery options, the files are 0kb.
I will have to do what I can to get round not having these files.
Am now trying to figure out a better system for backing up as I go.
Thanks for all the help.

Lil306

No worries, sorry to hear about your loss of work