I'm trying to convert old files from a windows 3.1 system(wks wps ..etc) unsuccessfully. Any help out there?

Question

Antiquated system holds business files on a windows 3.1 platform. I'm looking to convert these to a useable format on xp(office/open office preferably). There are databases spreadsheets word files picture logos and whatnot. I saw on YouTube a virtual win 3.1. But I'm lookin to just move the files over and convert. Help?

Answer 1

It actually isn't a matter of the Windows operating system 3.1 vs XP or whatever. It's a matter of the programs that generated and used the files. Just for the heck of it, try opening one or two in your current version of Word or Excel. Try this:



In versions of Word (for example) prior to Word 2007:



1. Click the File->Open menu item.

2. Navigate to the directory the file is in.

3. In the Files of Type list box, select Works for Windows 3.0 (*.wps).

4. Locate and select the file.



Looks like Word 2007 may not handle Works files that far back.



Good luck.

Answer 2

It's difficult to say without knowing the specific file types -- three letters after the dot, and potentially the software used to open them, with version.



Some versions of works files are able to be opened by modern Microsoft office programs.

Answer 3

To find out what program created a file, based on its DOT3 file-name extension, go here: http://filext.com/



You'll need that same program to open those files correctly. Then you can possibly export them to a file-type that has better potential for conversion with current software (such as OpenOffice.org).



Having never tried to open a WKS or WPS file with OpenOffice.org, I don't know whether there is already built-in support in OpenOffice.org for such files.

Answer 4

try copying the files to a floppy from the older system , then transferring that way to newer. and there are file conversion programs but i dont know much about them

Answer 5

MS Works 4.5a can be installed on XP. Export is available to XLS, DBF, RTF, and such although Select All, Copy, and Paste is often better.