File corruption

[Ted Harris]

Every DOC file on my computer has become what I suppose that you would call corrupted. The file is broken up top and bottom with scattered wierd symbols and type. Then the main body of the .doc is in the middle portion of the page in what looks like Courier New type. Every .doc that I have tried, I have been able to open it in the original type face with Word, however I can't save the doc in such a way as to retain the old format. I have evidently done something and I hope that someone can tell me how to correct several hundred pages. Many Thanks

 

[Numenorean]

Run a virus scan.

 

[Atheus]

It's possible you have a virus as Numenorean said - rule that out first - use several different scanners.

If you don't have a virus it's more likely that something is wrong with your Word install than every single doc file has become corrupted without any other files affected. Try sending one of the files to another computer (again - only after checking for viruses) and open it there. Does it look right? If so reinstall Word. Post again if that doesn't work.

 

[Ted Harris]

Thanks guys I will give all of that a try.

 

[Lanyap]

Check the "date modified" on the doc files to see if they are all the same. That might clue you in on something that happened that day - like a virus. Use Malwarebytes for your scan.

 

[bruceb]

Odds are Word is showing formatting. Does the symbol look a Pi Sign ¶
and also a bunch of tiny boxes ? ? Depending on what version Word you have
(this is for 2007) on the Home Tab, Paragraph, click on the symbol on the far right.
It looks like a Pi sign. See what happens.

 

[Ted Harris]

I ran AVG, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Malwarebytes and none detected a virus or anything. This morning while I was pursuing the suggestion that it was paragraph formatting I clicked on open with>Windows Word and clicked Default Programs and everything went back to normal. I am not sure how I got into this situation and I am not really sure how I fixed it. Thank you all for the quick and [FONT=&quot][/FONT]knowledgeable[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] response to my problem.

 

[Numenorean]

Were you opening them with WordPad possibly?

 

[Ted Harris]

I have lately been messing with some Flight Simulator .cfg files (they normally open in Word Pad in Courier New 11 pt.) and I changed the font in one so that I could read it better. I did not change it back, thinking that it would not make any difference (which it didn't to the .cfg file) however I think that it carried over somehow into all of my .doc files. This morning I was running through several format changing attempts and I must have stumbled upon the right one. Thanks again for the help.