Jumbled (coded?) word document

My daughter sent me a copy of a word document that she had saved (of some poems, verses, etc. that she was planning to read in order to give her some ideas for her own wedding program). She had computer problems at one time a while back (a crash I believe?) had gotten that problem corrected and all of her other programs/documents etc. seem to be okay except for this one.

Here is a partial clip of what the document reads/looks like when opened:

Is there any way we can convert this document into something that is once again readable?? Or is this a lost cause? I feel sorry for her if it is, she's been saving this (and many others like it) for over a year! All the other documents that she had saved work fine and for that, she's grateful!

She uses WinXP (home), but not sure what version of a Microsoft word program she uses??

Any help/ideas you can offer will be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Vicki

 

more questions

Thanks for your replies! I do have a few more questions before I suggest to her on how to proceed.

The file extension shows "doc" (at least that what I see from what she sent to me). She had sent me a different file some time ago for me to view, but that one was in the "xml ". I couldn't read it on my computer (I'm using Microsoft Word 2000 and I believe she has a newer version??) so I had to have that one converted! (google search gave me help there).

So if she were to change the extention on this file from "doc" to "xml" how would she go about doing that? (She's not much more computer savvy than I am, so step-by-step instructions are needed here! )

If that doesn't work for her and we proceed to try the next option (using OpenOffice Writer) where would that be found and how do we go about using it?

Thanks again for your offer to assist!

Regards,
Vicki

 

no luck

I had my daughter try the extension "fix ", but unfortunately, that was of no help. (Appreciated the suggestion and step-by-step instructions though!)

I'm not sure that downloading that Office Compatibility pack would be of any benefit to her? I think she might be using Office 2007 and that was why I couldn't view one of her documents before that she had sent me? (I use Office 2000). But she had stated that at one time she was able to view that (jumbled) document and that can still view others that she has saved, just not that one.

Please excuse me if I am missing something about using that though. As I noticed you also mentioned:

So this might be something she should pursue anyway?

Thanks again for your suggestions!
Vicki

 

I'm ecstatic!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, TonyT!! (If you were standing in the room with me I'd give you a big hug!) So considered yourself hugged!

I installed that office compatiblitly pack like you suggested, figured I could use it eventually if she were to send me any other wedding document files she wanted me to proof read for her.

After downloading/installing that pack, I thought I'd try and check that jumbled/coded document (more out of curiosity's sake). I chose the file and clicked on "open "....down in the lower left hand corner of the screen it stated something to the affect "converting word document ". I figured it would come up with some error message saying the file was corrupt or something, but to my surprise...it opened & I could read it!!!!!!!!

I have sent her a copy of the now "readable" file, but she won't know that until she gets home from work later today. She'll be even more thrilled than I am!!

I can't thank you enough for assisting us with this! I would be soooo lost without the help of all you wonderful people on this BBS!!!

Forever grateful,
Vicki