Word cannot start the converter mswrd632.wpc error
administrator
Dec 16
|09:11
Last Updated on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:45
You may receive the following error:
Word cannot start the converter mswrd632.wpc
This error is cause because of f the security update for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 on December 8, 2009.
You may experience mail merge issues write files are parsed but no message is shown.
To fix this, a registry change has to be done. Although you might have tried steps from KB973904 which states
To resolve this issue, an affected user can unregister the mswrd632 converter by editing the registry as follows
Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Text Converters\Import\MSWord6.wpc
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
Click Yes.
Exit Registry Editor.
This change will effectively unregister the converter and disable it for third-party applications and for Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office will use its own text converters to open these kinds of files.
You can also fix this issue with applying the registry fix, but less secure.
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Comments (132)
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There's no wordpad under Applets on my laptop. I just created the AllowConversion under it and set bit to 1, but unable still to open the doc. Help. This is my school project I need to submit tomorrow.
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December 17, 2009
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@dummy
Please download the registry script provided and try to import it.
Please download the registry script provided and try to import it.
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December 17, 2009
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I just clicked on the download link and found that it won't let me download the file without becoming a premium member of Rapid Share.
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December 17, 2009
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I've removed the rapidshare download link and set the download directly from this site.
Please try again.
Please try again.
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December 17, 2009
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This was very helpful!
I'd have been totally unable to print of a long Christmas list without the information given here.
All done! Thanks!
I'd have been totally unable to print of a long Christmas list without the information given here.
All done! Thanks!
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December 17, 2009
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Having received the mswrd632.wpc error I downloaded the Registry Entry. The document now opens but it seems to have been corrupted somewhere along the way. The document is full of 'y's with two dots on top.
Not to worry. The document is not that important.
I appreciate very much the excellent service you are providing.
Not to worry. The document is not that important.
I appreciate very much the excellent service you are providing.
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December 18, 2009
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my problem remains unsolved. Your solution has completely failed to rectify my problem. Kindly give another solution.
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December 18, 2009
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@farhan,
have you tried to use the registry script provided in the bottom of this article?
have you tried to use the registry script provided in the bottom of this article?
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December 18, 2009
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I tried both the KB973904 instructions listed above, and the link provided, both to no avail. My docs will open, and they look fine to me, but the error message pops up each time I try to open one, and I have to click OK twice for the message to go away! It's more of an annoyance for me...it's really slowing down my productivity. Any other suggestions?
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December 19, 2009
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@Uzoras
Try to import registry fix once again. It should solve your issue.
Try to import registry fix once again. It should solve your issue.
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December 19, 2009
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I tried it a 3rd time with no luck. The computer I'm using is actually at work, and we have a closed-circuit type of driver/server...I don't know if that makes a difference. The MSWord registry looks fine when I locate it following the directions above. Also, my MS programs (only on my computer) run on Citrix.
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December 19, 2009
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@Uzoras,
Ah that explains it. If you run MS applications on Citrix, you should pass this registry key to your Citrix administrator.
This registry key has to be applied on a Citrix server where this applications are published.
Regards,
Nik
Ah that explains it. If you run MS applications on Citrix, you should pass this registry key to your Citrix administrator.
This registry key has to be applied on a Citrix server where this applications are published.
Regards,
Nik
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December 19, 2009
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Thank you Nik! I will talk to our admin...of course, he's clueless, so it may not help. I appreciate your help!
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December 19, 2009
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It should definitely help, after all I'm Citrix admin 
This patch is working when you apply it on client machine. Citrix just passes over picture to your PC from the server, so if you're using MS Word which is published on Citrix, there's nothing you can do on your local PC to fix this issue.
Regards,
Nik
This patch is working when you apply it on client machine. Citrix just passes over picture to your PC from the server, so if you're using MS Word which is published on Citrix, there's nothing you can do on your local PC to fix this issue.
Regards,
Nik
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December 19, 2009
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Re-enabling a vulnerable WordPad converter is not the appropriate fix to prevent this error in Word. Instead, just unregister the converter following the instructions on http:support.microsoft.com/kb/973904.
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December 19, 2009
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Thanks Jeanne,
I will update my first post, but Microsoft released this update (more secure) yesterday. First given fix was provided in the original post.
I will update my first post, but Microsoft released this update (more secure) yesterday. First given fix was provided in the original post.
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December 19, 2009
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Many thanks for this fix. The registry key delete worked for me. Now have MS Word mail merge working again along with MS Office Accounting. Thanks again. Russell.
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December 23, 2009
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dah m sory the problem which was reported to the solver hv the sam e bt total m fail to solve by the way of learning
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December 24, 2009
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The converter warning doesn't come up anymore but here is what my word document looks ike any suggestions, Thanks,
N76N$OA;@$ ±‰¼”—ÕŸ¿’™¯s»’x±‡³ˆ{v
©ˆYûëâÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ2$6BLQWL>BL ÐÕáÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ;4(==5?K3J9)ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 7 %.,HM3CJHHO1JMJ=Q#8WB3L7 ÔÞÝÿÿÿÿÿÿñóû @F94:1|‚yÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ»ÂÀ DFJ °±±ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿþÿ
N76N$OA;@$ ±‰¼”—ÕŸ¿’™¯s»’x±‡³ˆ{v
©ˆYûëâÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ2$6BLQWL>BL ÐÕáÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ;4(==5?K3J9)ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 7 %.,HM3CJHHO1JMJ=Q#8WB3L7 ÔÞÝÿÿÿÿÿÿñóû @F94:1|‚yÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ»ÂÀ DFJ °±±ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿþÿ
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December 24, 2009
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i have this problem but i couldn't solve it by what you suggested
please help i realy need to open the file
please help i realy need to open the file
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December 29, 2009
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Have you run the registry key or did you do steps to delete the registry key?
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December 29, 2009
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yes i did but nothing happen
could i emil my file to you to see what is going on ! Please !
could i emil my file to you to see what is going on ! Please !
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December 29, 2009
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Someone in a microsoft news group suggested the file might be Word 2007 (...docx) but named as an earlier version (.doc). I renamed the file in question and it opened properly.
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December 29, 2009
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I just had this problem with two Word 2003 .doc files on a thumb drive. Other Word test files open fine. The registry fix in the KB mentioned above got rid of the error message but then the files just open as untranslated gobbledegook, as also mentioned above. I suspect I actually just hosed these two files (I pulled the thumb drive off without using its "eject" menu) and this is just the response Word has to files that aren't quite right. So, solution may be, don't corrupt your files...
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December 31, 2009
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Registry changes did not work for me. The suggestion of changing the name from .doc to .docx DID work! Thanks--IT Tech on vacation, am sure I will need it upon return.
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December 31, 2009
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Thanks! i had an important document that i wasn't able to read because of this problem. =)
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January 03, 2010
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I have tried both options, but still no joy for me. Any other options???
THANKS
THANKS
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January 04, 2010
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WELL WELL THANX IT REALLY HELP US , there is dead line for filing a suit and word doc showe said error , thanxthis is great save lot of our time
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January 05, 2010
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I have done every thing sugested here and my doc look like a lot of small boxes
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January 06, 2010
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I've tried both suggestions and this is what I get:
П ๱ ñ€ kà $š $ >@
’þÿ 0‹ Bà‚ !€ˆ Ö Â ˆ _ ¹š €þÿï¿ @€UP ÿþÿÿ¿ÿÿ¾•ÿÿ¿ÿÿú÷ÿÛÿÿýïÏÿÿþÿ
ÿßÿþÿÿÿÿÿÿÿûëÿÿÿmÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿßÿþÿýÿ¿ÿýÿûÿÿÿÿÿ
Any others?
П ๱ ñ€ kà $š $ >@
’þÿ 0‹ Bà‚ !€ˆ Ö Â ˆ _ ¹š €þÿï¿ @€UP ÿþÿÿ¿ÿÿ¾•ÿÿ¿ÿÿú÷ÿÛÿÿýïÏÿÿþÿ
ÿßÿþÿÿÿÿÿÿÿûëÿÿÿmÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿßÿþÿýÿ¿ÿýÿûÿÿÿÿÿ
Any others?
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January 07, 2010
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If are are renaming the file the docx and trying to open with 2003 don't forget you need to have the 2007 document converter installed. http://download.microsoft.com/...erters.exe
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January 07, 2010
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Registry fixes did not work.
Prompt for converter no longer appears, but documents now opening with cryptic characters
users all are running Window XP, SP3
users all are running MS Office 2003 ( we have not yet converted)
users all have the MS Office 2007 Compatability Patch.
Documents were never created with Office 2007...all original 2003 files.
Documents were accessible and readable Before Dec 2009.
System Restore did not resolve the problem.
Prompt for converter no longer appears, but documents now opening with cryptic characters
users all are running Window XP, SP3
users all are running MS Office 2003 ( we have not yet converted)
users all have the MS Office 2007 Compatability Patch.
Documents were never created with Office 2007...all original 2003 files.
Documents were accessible and readable Before Dec 2009.
System Restore did not resolve the problem.
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January 07, 2010
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Hello Dave, have you tried with using this?
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/2/9222d67f-7630-4f49-bd26-476b51517fc1/FileFormatConverters.exe
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/2/9222d67f-7630-4f49-bd26-476b51517fc1/FileFormatConverters.exe
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January 07, 2010
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It worked on all three workstations that were getting that error. Thanks so much.
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January 08, 2010
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reinstalled the compatibility pack and ran the REG fix. still can't open the doc.
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January 08, 2010
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this did not work for me for some reason. i am still gettig the error....yikes! i hope i have not lost all of the stuff i've done...
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January 08, 2010
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I am having same problem. Have tried regedit and reg fix. Three word 2003 docs that I have been working on for a month open as gobbledy gook. Tried renaming as .docx. Same problem with all my backups of these docs. help - so much work has gone into these docs and I don't know what to do
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January 11, 2010
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THANK U VERY VERY VERY MUCH.
I hope this does not effect my system on the long run.
I hope this does not effect my system on the long run.
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January 11, 2010
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Regfix was a temporary solution.
Although, safer solution is to delete the following registry key.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftShared ToolsText ConvertersImportMSWord6.wpc
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
Click Yes.
Exit Registry Editor.
j, have you tried to install file converters?
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/2/9222d67f-7630-4f49-bd26-476b51517fc1/FileFormatConverters.exe
Although, safer solution is to delete the following registry key.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftShared ToolsText ConvertersImportMSWord6.wpc
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
Click Yes.
Exit Registry Editor.
j, have you tried to install file converters?
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/2/9222d67f-7630-4f49-bd26-476b51517fc1/FileFormatConverters.exe
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January 11, 2010
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No meu caso, eu recebi um arquivo word 2007 que estava salvo com ".doc"
Renomeei o arquivo corretamente para ".docx" e o conversor abriu corretamente o arquivo no meu office 2003.
Renomeei o arquivo corretamente para ".docx" e o conversor abriu corretamente o arquivo no meu office 2003.
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January 13, 2010
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rachel, do you have administrative permissions?
can you try to run regedit in as Administrator?
can you try to run regedit in as Administrator?
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January 16, 2010
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Found another work-around when using Office 2003 with converters installed for Office 2007, and trying to open embedded .docx objects inside a .docx document:
Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package
Pop-up window appears
File > Save Contents > enter file with same extension to local folder (no feedback that it saved)
Go to local folder > Open doc, installed converter runs > Save As a 2003 type doc (ie: .doc instead of .docx)
Now you can reopen the doc and it will not go through the conversion process.
Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package
Pop-up window appears
File > Save Contents > enter file with same extension to local folder (no feedback that it saved)
Go to local folder > Open doc, installed converter runs > Save As a 2003 type doc (ie: .doc instead of .docx)
Now you can reopen the doc and it will not go through the conversion process.
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January 18, 2010
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Hi.I`m having a problem that when i try to convert the file it still shows hieroglifs and no text that was in there. What should i Do?
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January 19, 2010
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Nik, Help! I tried all 3 suggestions you made: registry change, registry fix & downloading the converters. Nothing has worked. Thank you.
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January 20, 2010
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Yeahh, I've tried all this, Including the reg fix etc,
Seems to work for others but not all. I open the file and get just boxes. Looks like the file might be corrupted?
Seems to work for others but not all. I open the file and get just boxes. Looks like the file might be corrupted?
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January 20, 2010
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Hello Paul,
have you tried solution from other visitor?
Found another work-around when using Office 2003 with converters installed for Office 2007, and trying to open embedded .docx objects inside a .docx document:
Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package
Pop-up window appears
File > Save Contents > enter file with same extension to local folder (no feedback that it saved)
Go to local folder > Open doc, installed converter runs > Save As a 2003 type doc (ie: .doc instead of .docx)
Now you can reopen the doc and it will not go through the conversion process.
It could be that your document is corrupted. You can try to search online for some free applications which can fix corrupted office documents.
have you tried solution from other visitor?
Found another work-around when using Office 2003 with converters installed for Office 2007, and trying to open embedded .docx objects inside a .docx document:
Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package
Pop-up window appears
File > Save Contents > enter file with same extension to local folder (no feedback that it saved)
Go to local folder > Open doc, installed converter runs > Save As a 2003 type doc (ie: .doc instead of .docx)
Now you can reopen the doc and it will not go through the conversion process.
It could be that your document is corrupted. You can try to search online for some free applications which can fix corrupted office documents.
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January 20, 2010
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This Registry fix is a permanent solution and you are not deleting anything.
When using Office 2007 and opening a *.PPTX file with embedded text from an earlier Word version do the following:
Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftShared ToolsText ConvertersImportMSWord6.wpc
Right click the Extensions string value and choose Modify.
Make sure the Value Data field has the following: doc docx
Click, OK
Exit Registry Editor.
Enjoy,
Ken B
When using Office 2007 and opening a *.PPTX file with embedded text from an earlier Word version do the following:
Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftShared ToolsText ConvertersImportMSWord6.wpc
Right click the Extensions string value and choose Modify.
Make sure the Value Data field has the following: doc docx
Click, OK
Exit Registry Editor.
Enjoy,
Ken B
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January 22, 2010
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Sorry, I typed too fast. The problem just surfaced on another machine and the only way around it was to rename or delete the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftShared ToolsText ConvertersImportMSWord6.wpc registry key.
Hope this helps,
Hope this helps,
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January 22, 2010
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Thankyou very much. There are some answers to this issue, but only yours resolve the problem! 
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January 23, 2010
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Nik:
"have you tried solution from other visitor?"
Which solution?
"Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package"
What is embedded?
"have you tried solution from other visitor?"
Which solution?
"Right click on the embedded > Package Object > Edit Package"
What is embedded?
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January 27, 2010
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I can not get this to work with deletion. Yes-I have 97 and living in the past.
Can you help me?
Can you help me?
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January 29, 2010
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Thanks to the post from Dec 29th - resave the file as a Office 2007 (docx) and it opens fine. Otherwise the regedit solution will still delivery an ASCII file.
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February 04, 2010
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No change, waste of time. Still can't open / convert / import text to Word.
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'>
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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February 05, 2010
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I accidentally deleted a bunch of files and had to use a data recovery program. Music files and photos came back fine but now none of the Word, Excel, or Power Point files will open without looking like a jumbled mess. I reinstalled Microsoft Office 2003 and I've tried all these fixes. Any other suggestions for me?
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February 07, 2010
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There are a lot of suggestions in comments of this article. Have you tried all of this suggestions?
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February 07, 2010
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I just could not install registry as message appears that same has been blocked by adminstrator. Pl help.
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February 08, 2010
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I followed the instructions, but when I click Delete I get the following message: "Unable to delete all specified values" HELP!!!..Thanks
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February 09, 2010
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Ok I tried the registry fix it didn't work for me. But by just renaming the word document from .doc to .docx then opened the file it worked. This was a pc with MS Office 2003 also. Hopefully this will help someone.
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February 11, 2010
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THANK YOU!! I have been trying to fix this for a week with no luck. Problem solved!!
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February 12, 2010
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Hi, My computer was hit by virus. Then i used bit-defender to remove it when(ESET couldn't). But in the process i lost a lot of my data. Movies, pics, doc files. When i recovered them using Tune-up utilities.My word (doc.) files won't open. They showed "Word cannot start the converter mswrd632.wpc" error.
I unregistered the mswrd632 converter by editing the registry by following the steps suggested by admin. But the files till show gibberish data.
Pls help !
Sato
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I unregistered the mswrd632 converter by editing the registry by following the steps suggested by admin. But the files till show gibberish data.
Pls help !
Sato
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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February 14, 2010
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Please read through the comments. There are several useful suggestions on what you can do.
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February 14, 2010
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My recovered pics also do not open. When i recoverd them the condition status shown in Tune-Up utilities was: "Bad". But even the good status files don't open.
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February 14, 2010
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I have gone through the regedit method to fix this problem and I no longer get the error message, however, MSWord is now trying to install another converter to open the file, but I don't have the disk and I'm not sure what it is that needs to be installed.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
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February 14, 2010
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Which type of file you're trying to open. Which office version are you using?
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February 15, 2010
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I have tried the suggested fixes including the REG fix, now all that happens is that I don't get the Word message when I open the file, but I still end up with squares instead of texts...I even tried labelling it do .docx but still the same...I have been working on Word 2003. Any ideas??
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February 15, 2010
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Nik I even tried installing the convertors but I get the message "installation of this package failed". Any other ideas? I'm screwed aren't I?
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February 15, 2010
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I ended up giving the File Format Converters compatability pack a go and it worked. I'm using 2002 Word, and I'm still not sure what type of file it is because I downloaded it off a website. Thanks so much for your help!!
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February 15, 2010
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hye,
i already try both of that way...delete the msword6.wpc n import the registry that i download.
the error gone but contain of the file all is converted
to symbol (like boxs).
Can give me the another way to solve this problem. tq
i already try both of that way...delete the msword6.wpc n import the registry that i download.
the error gone but contain of the file all is converted
to symbol (like boxs).
Can give me the another way to solve this problem. tq
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February 17, 2010
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Thank you!
The first steps didn;t work for me, I just got another error, but the script worked like a charm!
The first steps didn;t work for me, I just got another error, but the script worked like a charm!
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February 17, 2010
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FYI, we got this error when the files were actually Word TEMPLATES named wrong.
i.e. Renamed the ".DOC" to ".DOTX", error went away.
So, if renaming the ".DOC" to ".DOCX" doesn't work, try ".DOTX"
i.e. Renamed the ".DOC" to ".DOTX", error went away.
So, if renaming the ".DOC" to ".DOCX" doesn't work, try ".DOTX"
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February 17, 2010
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I clicked the download link, but when I click "run" it doesn't give me a chance to type anything in. A dialogue box comes up that says "Are you sure you want to add the information in Cocuments and Settings... to the registry?" Then you choose yes or no, and then it just closes. I clicked "yes" hoping it would allow me to follow your instructions, but it just closed and I still can't open word files.
ocuments and Settings... to the registry?" Then you choose yes or no, and then it just closes. I clicked "yes" hoping it would allow me to follow your instructions, but it just closed and I still can't open word files.
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February 23, 2010
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Fabulous! I had to unregister the converter as instructed and install the REG fix. Problem solved, thanks!!
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February 23, 2010
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Hi!
Thanks a lot!
I've just used the RegFix, which worked very nice indeed.
Thanks a lot!
I've just used the RegFix, which worked very nice indeed.
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February 25, 2010
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Hi,
I have a problem with .doc file: when i'm opening the file, i see a lot of strange characters.
I have Windows Vista and Office 2007. Is there someone who can help me ( with some tips or with opening the file for me ) ?
Thanks in advance!
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I have a problem with .doc file: when i'm opening the file, i see a lot of strange characters.
I have Windows Vista and Office 2007. Is there someone who can help me ( with some tips or with opening the file for me ) ?
Thanks in advance!
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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February 27, 2010
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