Vista cannot read my xp documents.

[Kathyw]

I had to get a new laptop, my old one and my desktop both have XPsp2.

The new laptop came with vista:eek: I cannot stand it.

Anyway when I copied my document files onto the new laptop, all the documents come out with gobbledegook on them. So are useless on the laptop, I cannot work on them at all.

Also vista doesn't allow password protect which I would like to have.

My laptop (3 months old) is off to the lappy hospital for repair and I would like to know how I can sort these problems out for when it comes back repaired.

I have downloaded a free software processor package called Abiword2.6 and it seems great but again no password protect facility for documents.

So I have two problems.

How can I read my XP documents on vista?

And is there a word processor package that just has that and not lots of other stuff I would never use. microsoft word has lots of extras that are of no use to me whatsoever.

Am I asking too much?

Thank you

[Seth]

Hi Kathy.

 

What type of password are you referring to? A log in password?

 

Chances are you have the latest version of the office suite which uses a different file format than the previous versions. There is however a free converter available online. I'll have a look for it and post back.

 

Another alternative is to use the free Office Suite clone called "Open Office":

 

www: OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

[Dalo Harkin]

The new laptop came with vista:eek: I cannot stand it.

 

It's a love hate thing - everyone loves to hate it :D (me not included - I love Vista)

 

When you say that they all come out in gobbledygook - are they just labelled as numbers and letters or is it that you open them and they are all like that.

 

Chances are that whatever program you used to write the files in is either not installed or not set to read the documents and they are opening in something like notepad.

 

if you right click on one of the files and then open with there should be an option to select whatever program they were wrote in

[Seth]

Here it is. Please confirm that you are tring to open Word files in Office 2007. If so, click on the bottom link and read the Overview and Instructions before installing:

 

Download details: Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats

Edited June 3, 2008 by Seth

[Kathyw]

Thank you Seth and Dalo for your replies.

 

I do not have Office 2007. The documents (books) were typed using Works/word 2004 and I successfully transferred them from my desktop to my old laptop (both XP).

When I tried to open them on this lappy (vista) it just looked like random letters of the alphabet all over the place.

Does this mean that my books etc are lost forever unless I use XP?

 

Re Password protect.

On the works/word I have on my desktop, I was able to password protect each individual file but that is impossible with vista and I cannot get to grips with the encrypton thing - I like simple as you can see.

[Seth]

What program are you using to open the documents with?

 

Also, try this: Right click on the particular document, select "Open With" and try opening the file with Wordpad.

 

I can also help you with the password once I know what program you are using to try and view them. But it's typically a "Save As" option.

[Kathyw]

I was using my word or wordpad but it didn't work.

 

Anyway my sick lappy is being collected this afternoon to go to see the dell doctors and hopefully when it comes back some of the problems will be dealt with.

I wanted to let you know becasue I will not have internet acces and I didn't want you to think me rude in not reply when you are all trying to help me.

It is apreciated and I will come back on your wonderful forum as soon as my lappy is home again.

Thank you

[Seth]

You're welcome.

 

Good luck:)