Animaleyes or Inaiva...help please!

[Viki.W]

Sorry to bother you but I've got a computer problem and thought I'd see if you can help. I've got a floppy disc with all my business excel stuff on from years back. I've been using it fine for years to print off my work sheets etc. Today, I've tried to open one of the files and it says:-

"cannot be accessed. The file may be read-only, or you may be trying to access a read-only location. Or, the server the document is stored on may not be responding!

I can access all the others just not this one, but I could last week and I haven't done anything in the meantime.

Sorry but I'm absolutely useless with software and computers, can you advise anything as it will take ages to retype the sheets that were on the file.

Thanks guys, Viki X

[indebtforever]

have you tried this: copy the files to your hard disk before you attempt to open them ?

[indebtforever]

You could try undoing the read only attribute by right-clicking file in explorer, left click properties and unticking Read Only under attributes. (That is, if you can "see" the file in Explorer.)

I think that you might find that this floppy has gone to digital heaven

[indebtforever]

Sounds like your file is damaged. You may try Advanced Excel Repair at http://www.datanumen.com/aer/ This tool is rather useful in salvaging damaged Excel xls files. Hope this helps.

[Viki.W]

Thanks indebtforever, I've gone into properties and the read only wasn't ticked but the archive was ticked? I've unticked everything but still no joy, I think you may be right.....very old disc! I'll try the link you have just posted, thanks so much for your time. Viki X

[Viki.W]

I think I'm just going to have to re-type everything and save it to a little biddy stick thingy that my Dad has just given me. Thanks for your help. Viki X

[animaleyes76]

HOW typical of me to turn up after the damsel in distress has been rescued. I'll get my coat ;o)

[Viki.W]

This damsel hasn't been rescued yet, if you have any other answers for me? [:)] Viki X

[animaleyes76]

I think "indebtforever" has covered most things. have you copied all the files to your pc in case the disk fails completely.

You could try.. and this is a TOTAL wild shout that works about 1 time every million. .. pull the metal slidey thing at the top to the side and gentley blow into the disk towards the filmy bit.

There's pretty much no chance this will work but it did for me a couple of times....

just make sure you have the other files backed up first and try not to project a loada saliva towards the disk lmfao!! ;o)
Repeat for both sides lol

[Viki.W]

Thanks, did the blowey thing, unfortunately a little spit involved! No success. This is probably a very silly question but how do I copy the files to my pc>.......I told you I was rubbish![:I] Viki X

[animaleyes76]

just go to the start button, my computer, the double click on the A: (drive) and the files should appear . Click the top one, hold down shift and click the bottom one. (or you can click copy files on the left)

then drag the files to c: or my documents

)

[indebtforever]

Begin by placing the floppy disk that you want to copy into your floppy drive.

Then double click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop until it opens.

Then gently click on the 3½ Floppy (A:) icon just until it becomes highlighted.

Then click on the word File, which is contained in your top tool bar area.

This will pull down a menu for you to now click on Copy Disk.

3½ Floppy (A:) will appear highlighted in both the Copy from: box and the Copy to: box.

Then click on the Start button to initiate the Copy Disk process.

Windows will tell you to insert the disk you want to copy from (source disk).

Acknowledge this prompt by clicking on the OK button to initiate the copy process.

A progress indicator bar will travel 50% across the screen while reading the source disk.

Then Windows will prompt you to insert the disk you want to copy to (destination disk.)

Place your destination disk into your floppy drive and click on the OK button to continue.

The progress indicator will indicate that it is now writing to the destination disk.

You will then receive notification stating that the Copy completed successfully.

Then close all open windows to return back to your Windows session.

[animaleyes76]

beats me! ;o)

[indebtforever]

i just hope it works ive been there not nice when not backed up [V]

[animaleyes76]

yeah.. tell me about it.. I lost 63Gb of data about 3 months ago.. GUTTED!!!

god bless Ghost