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Question

Works conversion...

Feb 18, 2014 11:42AM PST

I have an elderly woman that was using MS Works to compile an address book... Looking for someone to convert a works file to a Word or Excel file... Anyone willing to help?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Depending on which versions you have
Feb 18, 2014 12:20PM PST

Word will open Works word processor documents and Excel will open Works spreadsheets.

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Word will not work...
Feb 18, 2014 7:55PM PST

It is a .wdb file... I need someone who is running works to convert it if possible... I have tried it all...

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Re: works
Feb 18, 2014 8:25PM PST

Why not use your own copy of Works?

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It is not my file...
Feb 18, 2014 9:19PM PST

The file is a.WDB file that an elderly woman used for an address book. She was running an older computer, circa 2005. The computer failed, and no longer works. I was able to get a few files off of her computer, but I do not have anything running an older version with works. This is why I am looking for someone who may be running an older version of XP with works to convert the file. According to Microsoft this file can be opened up in an older Computer running XP and works, and then saved as a word or an excel file. Then I can manipulate it in any modern computer. This is what I'm looking for. If you have an older computer running XP with an older version of works, please help an older widow woman out that is just trying to access her old address book. Thanks for your help.

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Then try this.
Feb 18, 2014 9:23PM PST
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Re: older computer
Feb 18, 2014 9:37PM PST

My older computers used to come with a Works installation CD. Maybe, if you still need it after Bob's advice, she still has that disk somewhere?

Kees

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WDB FILE
Feb 18, 2014 9:13PM PST

You could do the Open/Libre Office download, that should work for your purpose, it does pretty much everything the MS Office suite does and is a free download, I'd give that a shot.

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Tried it, doesn't work...
Feb 18, 2014 9:21PM PST

I've been working on this for almost 2 weeks, and have tried everything, Trust me. At this point, I am just looking for a gracious individual that is running XP to allow me to e-mail the file to them so they can open it, and resave it in Word or Excel format. Thanks

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You can buy Works from Amazon
Feb 19, 2014 12:22AM PST
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Answer
The uber geek way?
Feb 19, 2014 12:47AM PST

Use Virtual Box (see google) to install a toss away XP. Hiren's Mini XP is now on USB so you can just use that if you don't want to use Virtual Box.

Install Works on this temp XP (Hiren's or Virtual Box) and then open the WDB, save it in compatible format and you're done.

Stand back and say never again to saving without backups to interchangeable open formats.
Bob