Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

PC utilities forum: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents

by: beatlejoel January 9, 2005 2:58 AM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Help! I can't open my wordpad documents

by beatlejoel - 1/9/05 2:58 AM

I have recently bought a new dell, dimension 2400 series computer and love it. The problem I am having is when trying to open a wordpad document I created from another computer it am getting a message stating that it "cannot load Word for Windows 6.0 files"
Why am I getting this message and what do I need to do to open these files?
Thanks in advance,
Steve
I am running Windows xp home edition and the wordpad documents had a .doc extension.

Thanks again


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Evidently you don't have Office or Word installed

by TONI H - 1/9/05 4:02 AM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents by beatlejoel

and Windows knows the original document was created in that format......so try right clicking the .doc file and see if you get the option of "open with" and then choose Wordpad as the default program to use for .doc files. If it opens correctly in Wordpad, then do the procedure again, but make sure you put a checkmark in the box at the bottom of the window that says 'always use this program'....and all future .doc files will use Wordpad by default.

If you should install Office/Word later on, it will override the wordpad setting and make itself the default program used at that time.

TONI


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Another Possible Solution

by timwerx - 1/9/05 5:06 AM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents by beatlejoel

Right click on the file and rename its extension to "rtf." Then see if that'll work.

Also, for a great open source word processor program, I recommend Open Office. It's high-quality freeware, and it will open and create "doc" files.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Try this...

by markguy - 3/6/05 8:14 AM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents by beatlejoel

I just got bit by this upgrading me Mum to XP Home. Seems reading rtf files is disabled by default in SP2. I found this at the MS site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;883090

That did it for me.

Mark


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Help! I can't open my wordpad documents - by beatlejoel

by peteshull - 3/19/05 5:24 PM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents by beatlejoel

bj
I had the same problem after receiving some Microsoft
updates for my Windows XP.
Try the following website:
http://helpdesk.graniteschools.org/docs/software/XPWordpadDocFiles/

I followed their instructions and it has solved the problem for me.

peteshull


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Help! I can't open my wordpad documents - by beatlejoel

by beatlejoel - 3/19/05 9:23 PM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents - by beatlejoel by peteshull

Thanks,
It worked!!!!

Steve


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

I tried the link but it did not work...

by nevaeh7er - 1/21/10 8:52 AM

In Reply to: Help! I can't open my wordpad documents - by beatlejoel by peteshull

I tried the link -- http://helpdesk.graniteschools.org/docs/software/XPWordpadDocFiles/ --but it just bought me to another search engine...I too am having problems opening my Wordpad files...I transferred my wordpad docs from a XP desktop computer to a brand new XP laptop and now I cannot open the Wordpad docs...CAN YOU PLEASEEEEE HELP!!! I tried clicking on the link and then cutting pasting it into the browser...


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close