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?

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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?