Converting really old word files

Aidoscuz · 3 Jan 2008 at 15:34

I need to convert some ancient word documents into a format that's readable in Office 2007. I'm working on someone's computer which is running Windows 3.1 and Office 4.3 (or maybe 4.0, I'm not sure). She's got around 150 word documents she needs transferred to a new computer.

The word files are still .doc but I'm guessing that new versions of word won't be able to read them. I know I could open each file individually and save it as a plain text file, but that would take forever, especially on a computer this old and slow. Is there any way of batch converting lots of files at a time?

Also, if I get the files onto my current computer, would that give me more options? Anyone know of any programs that can convert old word files to current versions?

ns400r · 3 Jan 2008 at 15:43

Why won't Word/Office 2007 see the documents?
Has she tried?

Theguy · 3 Jan 2008 at 15:46

If Office07 doesnt read the really old docs, you could always (batch) convert the .docs to say rich text. that would do the trick.

however iam not sure how to batch convert word docs from .doc to rich text iam afraid.

Aidoscuz · 3 Jan 2008 at 15:52

ns400r said:
Why won't Word/Office 2007 see the documents?
Has she tried?

I haven't tried opening the files in Word 2007 yet since getting the files off the computer is a bit of a hassle as well - it's a gateway from 1994 that has no USB ports, no internet connectivity and a floppy drive that only takes DD disks rather than the HD ones that are used now. I'm probably going to have to take the hard drive out and plug it into my computer to get the files off it. I want to convert the files to plain text when I'm definitely able to open them in case my computer can't read them.

ns400r · 3 Jan 2008 at 16:16

There are batch convertors for download. Best try Google to see what it lists.

superplay · 3 Jan 2008 at 17:33

I would take the drive out of the old computer and put it in an external USB caddy.

blastman · 3 Jan 2008 at 17:42

could you not just changne the extension from .doc to .txt??

copy c:\directory path to files\*.doc c:\directory to path to files\*.txt

??????

TheVoice · 3 Jan 2008 at 17:50

I can't see why they wouldn't be readable, to be honest.

superplay · 3 Jan 2008 at 18:06

Office 2007 will definatly open the old file format. However if you have Office 2007 SP3 appplied you will need to do a reg hack as they have blocked a load of old file formats!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938810/en-us