Can't Open PDA-Created Pocket Word Files with Word 2003

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 03:51 AM

Hello,

Created some files on my PDA using Pocket Word. Synced with the PC.

I can see the files in the folder on the PC, but when I try to open them with the PC, Microsoft Word engages - it starts. - but...the Pocket Word created file never opens. Word just hangs there.

How can I get a Pocket Word file created on my PDA to open on my PC?

It DOES work the other way. I can create a file on the PC, and then open it on my PDA.

Please help! <cries> :P:)

spunker88 · 03-05-08, 07:38 AM

You can save them on ur pda in office 97-03 format.

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 09:01 AM

Hi,

THANKS for replying. How do I save files in that format? Is it possible to make that the default file type? If yes, please can you tell me how.

THANKS! x 100

Marty

saint-francis · 03-05-08, 09:44 AM

Are you using office mobile 6? If so you are saving your files as .dox and not .doc. There are 2 solutions to this. You can either tell office mobile to save the files as .doc (which I have done) or you can get the patch for word 2003 which allows it to read .dox (I have done this too actually). To change office mobile 6 to save as .doc just go to word mobile -> tools -> options -> default template and set it to word 97 - 2003 Document (.doc).

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 10:07 AM

Hello saint-francis,

THANKS for your reply!

How can I tell if I am using office mobile 6?

I went to word mobile -> tools -> options -> default template but all i see is:

DEFAULT TEMPLATE
Blank Document
Meeting Notes
Memo
Phone Memo
To Do

Thanks!

Marty

bigtsr · 03-05-08, 10:21 AM

What pda are you using?
Usually Start/Settings/System/About or Info

Julie · 03-05-08, 10:30 AM

I doubt you are saving the files as windows mobile 6 files. Unless you own a WM6.0 pocket pc, you would have to installed Office Mobile 6.1 to your pocket pc and if you don't remember doing that, then you are not saving files in that format.

By default, word files that you save on your pocket pc are saved as .psw files. When I used Word 2003, I had no problem opening these files and I always thought that when I installed ActiveSync to my computer, Word was updated in some fashion to recognize these files. You can change an option in ActiveSync so that whenever psw files are synced to your computer they are converted to .doc files. Then you should be able to open them with no problem on your computer. There is no way to change this default setting:

Open ActiveSync up on your computer
Select Tools > Options > Rules tab > Conversion Settings button > Device to Desktop tab
Find the Pocket Word Document-Pocket PC option and select Edit
Tap the down arrow to the right of the box under the heading "Convert to desktop computer files of the type"
Select a more appropriate file type

On the Pocket PC, you can also save files as Word 97/2000 documents as follows:

for WM5.0 devices:
tapping Menu > File > Save As > tap the down arrow to the right of the Type box and select Word 97/2000

for Windows Mobile 2003 devices:
Tap Tools > File > Save Document As > tap the down arrow to the right of the Type box and select Word 97/2000

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 10:41 AM

Hello,

Thank you ALL VERY, VERY much for replying.

Julie, going to try you solution right now!

bigtsr, my about info is:

Microsoft ® Pocket PC
Version 3.0.11171 (Build 11178)
© 1996 - 2001 Microsoft Corporation.
All rights reserved.

This computer program is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

Processor: Intel © PXA255
31.55 MB

Expansion Slot: In Use

Owner:

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 10:54 AM

Hi Julie,

I tried your solution and it DID work! The thing that is so curious is that I, like you, have used this machine with Word 2003, and before, the pocket word files always did open & save without error. So, now... this.

What should I do? I would of course prefer not to have to remember eeach time to "Save it as... ". Anything I can do - short of buying a new PDA? :P :)

Thanks SO much...

Julie · 03-05-08, 11:29 AM

It does not sound like this is an issue with your Pocket PC, but with your computer. Have you changed anything there lately? How long ago were you able to open psw files?

You could try reinstalling ActiveSync to your computer to see if this fixes the problem.

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 11:54 AM

Hello Julie,

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah - I just did a FULL re-install. :P :| But, it was from Ghost, so should have been pretty much the same computer.

Using the same computer, over the last 2 years I was problem free.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marty

Julie · 03-05-08, 01:34 PM

I don't know what Ghost is? Are you using the same computer that you've been using over the last 2 years or did you get a new computer and set it up by restoring some kind of backup from your old computer?

It wasn't clear from your last reply if reinstalling ActiveSync resolved the issue for you.

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 02:20 PM

Hello Julie,

Thanks for your reply!

It is the same omputer.

I have not tried to re-install yet because I wanted to ask you - how do I uninstal active sync? Just do a normal uninstall?

Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs

Thanks!

Julie · 03-05-08, 02:48 PM

Yes, that will work.

marty_owen · 03-05-08, 03:46 PM

Great! Will try and reply.

Please one other thing: I did a reset - held in the side button, held down the power button - but STRANGELY, some old files still showed up in the shared files folder. Too weird, yeah? So... is there any sure-fire way to be certain I am blanking out the memory.

Thanks! x 10,000

Marty