Corrupt Hardware

[compbuilder00]

Hello,

On my sisters Sony Viao, all of her documnts and files when opened just show gibberish and no text of any kind. This computer has been in mint condition for about 2 years, could something have happened to the hard drive to corrupt those files. is there any way to fix this problem?

Sean

 

[jackschmittusa]

Something may have happened to the hd, but it may be Windows that is corrupted.

 

[us3rnotfound]

Now are these MS Word documents?

 

[51M0N]

Hi there just joined today....How is everyone?
Hi Compbuilder, have you try'd to save any new text files since this problem occured? and if so do these files have the same problem??

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Is the text OK during boot? Is the gibberish alpha or symbols. Did someone change your font when you weren't looking?

Jim

 

[compbuilder00]

Its all symbols and it tried saving new files and they are ok, its just the ones that are older than a week ago. These are PDF's, word files, everything.

 

[beemercer]

Does the text in the BIOS display normally?

 

[compbuilder00]

yes, Its just stuff in my documents

 

[corkyg]

Is the system AV protected? When was the last complete AV scan?

 

[compbuilder00]

today was the last AV completed and there was no reported problems

 

[51M0N]

Just a thought. Have any of the file extensions changed? .doc .txt etc....
If the files do not show there extensions the goto: Tools - Folder options - View - then uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types".

Like i said i was just a tought and you've probaly already thought of it.

Seems strange that the files have suddenly just gone funny like that.

one more thing, have you try'ed opening them in MS notepad or MS word pad???

I'll keep thinking..

 

[0roo0roo]

unless its severely crashing even with new os install and continuously saves corrupt documents i doubt its hardware. your sister do any maintenance? is the av actually up to date?
is she opening the documents with the correct program? did the computer have power cut off or battery just die or removed while it was on or saving files? save new files, if they are not corrupt its something else probably. is her system sluggish? is she installing things that are shady?

 

[0roo0roo]

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