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General discussion

Cannot open downloaded documents (.doc)

Apr 26, 2005 3:16AM PDT

I have windows ME, can create wordpad documents on my PC, open and re-open those (self-created) .doc files without any problem. However, if I download a .doc file, either from e-mail or directly from a website, I always get the following error message:
>>>
Wordpad has caused an error in MSWRD832.CNV
Wordpad will now close.
<<<
The message goes on to advise that I try re-starting my computer; but that does not help.
I also have, on my computer, MS Works - which includes a Word Processing application which handles word97-2000, word6.0-95 and WordPerfect documents. I changed the properties from "Program opens with Wordpad" to open .doc files in MS Works; but the problem persists (.doc files created on my PC open without problem; but downloaded .doc files produce the above error msg.
I've since restored properties to "Program opens with Wordpad" because it appears that changing to another Word Processor doesn't help. I hope someone is able to help me with this difficult problem. One other thing, of note - In the past, I've used Norton clean Sweep - Is it possible I've cause this problem by deleteing a registry file? Thanks for any Help.

Discussion is locked

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Yes, that is a known problem.
Apr 26, 2005 3:22AM PDT

Wordpad can't handle the .DOC and this error occurs. Since you do not have a newer version of Word and I'll guess you won't be buying one, try what I use.

http://www.openoffice.org

Bob

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RE: Yes, that is a known problem.
Apr 26, 2005 3:49AM PDT

I've noticed others have had success following your advice with Open-Office; but I'm hesitant.
I tried changing properties ("Program Opens With") to open .DOC files in MS Works (which is supposed to handle Word97-2000 files) and the problem still persisted.
Do you still think changing to another application (Open-Office) which is supposed to handle these files will resolve? Thanks in advance.

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Word 2000 is now 5 years ago...
Apr 26, 2005 3:54AM PDT

And many .DOC files may require a newer version of a word processor.

To answer your question: Yes. And it's what I use...

Bob

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.doc is more likely to be a Word file
Apr 26, 2005 3:31AM PDT

While WordPad uses the same .DOC extension as Word (thanks for the confusion MS!) it won't necessarily open Word documents.

Most, but not all .DOC files that you will find on the internet will be Word files, or WordPerfect, or FrameMaker, and at least a half-dozen fairly common packages, as well.
(Sometimes .DOC might even be text files - but WordPad will not have a problem with those, at all.)

Just because you have MS Works does not mean you have a word processor that will open Word docs. I believe that MS Works 2000 has Word within it, but earlier versions didn't. Works typical word processor (not Word) creates .WKS files.

One common document format that, in most cases, will preserve formatting and graphics, and is transportable between the many word processing packages is .RTF (Rich Text Format).

If you want to just open Word .DOC files you can get a free Word (file) Viewer right from MS.