Hi.

I had some important files (RTF format) on my computer. The computer broke
down, but we managed to copy the files from the hard drive. They don't work
on my new computer - I use Windows XP. Since my backup files (stored on a
disquette) don't work either, the problem seems to be that the files don't
communicate with my new computer, rather than the files being damaged
themselves.

  A friend told me that "...it sounds like your current Word2000 doesn't
have the right code
page or whatever it uses to interpret the structure or characters in the
files".

  I used to simply open the files using Word. When I try to access my files
now they come out as "??I?|??c4???#"o??????vU,??" etc., and when I try Word
Pad it's the same thing. Only the files containing tables don't work, those
consisting of plain text work all right. There is a great amount of info
stored in these files, and I would appreciate very much if anyone could make
it possible for me to make them work again. They consist almost entirely of
tables containing plain text.

  If you have a suggestion for a more relevant newsgroup, I'd also
appreciate any advice.

Best regards,

Vincent (vincent_eachnet@yahoo.com).