I need help! :'(

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

First off, I'm sorry if this bothers anyone, but I really need help right now.

Alright, so I was working on my word count earlier today, when I had to stop to take my sister-in-law to a job interview. I then had the clever idea of bringing my laptop with me, so I could work out in my car while I was waiting for my sister-in-law to finish up. Low and behold, when I opened up the document, it said that nothing could be changed because the entry was locked. I've tried everything I could think of to unlock it, but it's not just that file. Anything I try to open with Microsoft word can't be changed. So right now, I'm really just happy that I decided to back up my story last night, so I've only lost about 500 words or so.

Now, the point of my story is this: does anyone know how I can unlock Microsoft word to access my files? Or, if not, do you know about an alternate program I could use that would be compatible with Windows Vista? I do have Word Pad on my laptop, which I'm going to have to use for now, but if any one could tell me a better program that at least had a spell check, that would be amazing.

Thanks for your help and patience. :)

EDIT: I managed to finally open the file in Microsoft Works Word Processor! I still don't know what's wrong with Microsoft Word 2007, but I managed to start a new program without losing any word count, which is the most important part, really. Thanks to all those who helped me! I'm really really grateful!

:)

Comments

[misslucyjane]

You can download OpenOffice here: openoffice.org. It can handle .doc files but not .docx files, if you're using the 2007 version of Word.

As for unlocking Word, this article may help:
Why is my Word document locked?

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you! Unfortunately, I am using the 2007 version of word. I think if I copy and pasted what I backed up last night into Word Pad, it may work, though.

Thanks so much for your help! :)

[okelay.livejournal.com]

have you tried opening it with anything else?
maybe you're in a guest session and can't do anything,just look?
does it ask for a password?

I'd say try a different processor. like google docs. or open office.

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

I've tried opening it with both Microsoft works and Word Pad, but because it was saved as a .docx file, nothing wants to open it.
Um, I don't know about a guest session. I don't think so, since I've been opening it the same way I always I do.
And, no it doesn't ask for a password, I just tells me that "This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked."
):

That's what I'm planning to do, and I hope it works. Thanks for your help! :)

[starsandauras]

I use Microsoft Works Word Processor and I swear by it. It should come preinstaled on your system.

Also, have you checked to make sure your document isn't being opened in a "read only" format? When it's read only you can't edit it.

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

Do you know how I would check if it's in a read only format? 'Cause I have no idea about that. It just tells me that "This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked." So I have no clue.
):

I'll definitely try Microsoft Works, though, if it means I can avoid downloading anything. OpenOffice doesn't sound too bad, but I'd still like to avoid it if I can.

Thanks for your help! :)

[hat-hair.livejournal.com]

If you right-click on the file in Windows, you should be able to go to Properties. Then see if there's a check in the box marked Read-only. If there is, untick it. Don't do this while the file is open, though.

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

No, it wasn't on read only, but thanks for helping! I still don't know what's wrong with it, but I've found a new program that works, so I think I'll just start using that one.

Thanks for your help! :)

[starsandauras]

Usually it'll say somewhere that it is in read only, but a really good way to check is to go into your preferences or options and look around for a little box that says "Open in Read-Only Format" or something like that. If the little box is checked, uncheck it and then try opening your document.

I'm just sorry I can't help more. ^^;

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's really alright. I just checked and it wasn't on read only, but on your suggestion, I tried Microsoft Works Word Processor, and it worked right away. So you really did help me a lot! I'll start using that instead of the other program, so thank you so much!

:)

[khalidarkmoon.livejournal.com]

I've had a problem with Vista where if you are not logged in as the administrator it locks you out of random programs... perhaps that's the issue?

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm not administrator, since I'm the only one who uses this laptop (since it belongs to me), and there's only one log in name on it. But I think I'll have to check to made sure I'm administrator after all.

Thanks for your help! :)

[ts-brookhouse.livejournal.com]

This has nothing to do with anything (and since you've already found your way around it, this is probably fine): Your icon is adorable. Is that from one of the more recent Pokemon incarnations?

[mitsuko-chan.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. Thank you! I'm quite fond of it myself.

And yes, it's from the second Pokemon season, after they decided the original 150 weren't enough. The Pokemon is called Natu, and it's a little bird (obviously).

Um if you go here (http://community.livejournal.com/unreported/4262.html#cutid1), then lulubai has made icons out of a whole bunch of pictures of Pokemon and people (like mine) that this artist (http://www4.atwiki.jp/hitec/pages/1.html) made. There are lots and lots of them, and they're all super cute if you're interested in them.

:D

[ts-brookhouse.livejournal.com]

:D!! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate it!