big problem with ms office

i have xp professional ms office installed in my laptop.when ever i need to open any file from my usb,it shows me a msg **Microsoft office word needs a converter to display the file correctly, i click install it …**installing import converter and after it the msg comes U need to insert a Cd of microsoft office professional 2003.
so i want to know to install converter i need to run the cd again or not ..what will be i do ..coz i have some file (in excel & Word) in my usb which does not open.

Quick reply will be highly appreciated..
thanks

Re: big problem with ms office

what makes you think its for files from the USB key? Have you tried copying them over to your desktop and then try opening them?

If the problem still exists (which is what I expect), it has nothing to do with your USB key... the file format may be based on a very old version of MS Office or come from another word processor such as Works or WordPerfect.

Try launching Word by itself and then using the File>Open menu to view the file. Sometimes this works better than double clicking the file in explorer... if it still doesn't work, you might get a more descriptive message about the problem. Also, sometimes, Insert>File option works in MS Word for files that were saved in a different format.

Re: big problem with ms office

^^ To add to that: You should be able to hit cancel to the install and the files should open (in a lot of cases). If it still doesn't you would need the Office 2003 CD.

Re: big problem with ms office

i installed a converter for docx files (ms office 2007) to run with my ms word 2000. i didn't need to use the CD though.

Re: big problem with ms office

Convertor!!!
Are you sure you have MS Office format files on your flash drive?
Either they are in different format or may be these files were saved in Office 2003 for later format.
Try downloading viewers from microsoft.com. Or whoever sent you those files ask him/her to send you again in Office XP compatible format.

Re: big problem with ms office

yep... that works too!

stupid MS apps... can't live with'em - can't live without'em.

Re: big problem with ms office

Yeah u can. 2 words for you "Open Office" :)
Actually I'm going to be testing that with the new EEE PC. If it works that's what I'm giving to all the exec's and save some mulla if it all works. :p

Re: big problem with ms office

^ well yeah I can personally live without'em... I recommend Open Office to all who want to get something cheap / pirated... but unfortunately my org aint ready for it yet.

Re: big problem with ms office

^^exactly.....

Well,Thanks for ur reply ...
i think i will install the cd again ....

Re: big problem with ms office

i think the file format is based on old version....and thats why the msg comes to install converter.

Re: big problem with ms office

You are trying to open files made from and older or later version of Office in Office 2003. This is why it asks you to install a converter.

You can install that by putting the CD in the drive. Shouldn't be any problem. Next time, you can use the option to "Save As" in Office and save the file as Office 2003 format.

Re: big problem with ms office

Thanks alot.......i will do it inshallah