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Problems opening files/alternative importer always needed?

Posted: 2011-11-07 18:55:25
by michiganuser19
In the last few days, my NWP suddenly has developed trouble opening/importing files. This has never happened before, but now it pops up with probably 90% of the files I open. The error message reads: 'There were problems opening the file "[file name].doc". Retry opening the file with an alternative importer?" I say OK, and usually it's fine — the file is legible. Not always, but usually.

Did something happen recently, an update or anything else, that might be giving the program new troubles with file conversions?

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2011-11-08 02:33:56
by martin
We did change the file importer used by NWP for version 2.0.1, but that update was released a while back at the end of August 2011. Did you just update recently?

In any case, after one of these files fails to open, would you please submit a feedback report using the menu Help > Send Feedback. It would be best if you could included a copy of an example document that fails to open. Thank you.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2011-11-08 07:52:22
by michiganuser19
I updated in September, but the problems didn't occur until a week or so ago, hence my confusion. I'll send some sample files through the Help menu, and in fact have already done so with a couple of the recent occurrences. Thanks.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2011-11-30 23:26:23
by skcryan
Was a solution found to this issue? I'm at the stage where every Word file now gets the following message:
There were problems opening the file "Filename.doc". Retry opening the file with an alternative importer?
I can usually open the files but they lose comments etc. Any suggestions?

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2011-12-01 05:30:23
by michiganuser19
In my case the problem simply went away — no particular reason, so I can't help with an explanation. But the upshot is, NWP hasn't had trouble opening files lately. I didn't tweak or change anything, so it's a bit of a mystery.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2011-12-02 18:56:06
by skcryan
I hope I get lucky too. How long did you have to wait before it corrected itself? I think I have exactly the same issue as you; it was fine and then one day I started getting the message about a problem importing files.

If I go to the preferences, look at 'advanced' and then change the importer to 'Mac OSX' then files open but I lose a lot of stuff. If I go back to LibreOffice then the files don't open. I just can't think of anything I did to make this happen.

Thanks for your input.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-05-11 10:54:50
by michiganuser19
This problem has now returned. For EVERY file I try to open in NWP —unless it is an rtf file created natively in NWP —I get the same error message. This happens with any doc file. Once again, I'm wondering whether anyone at Nisus has tracked this down. Last time it simply went away. I can hope that happens again, but would prefer to address the issue head-on. Thanks.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-05-15 10:02:56
by martin
When we were last working with skcryan on resolving this issue, it too went away for him. I believe he made the problem go away by logging into another user account, launching and quitting NWP there, and then logging back into his primary user account. I think he stumbled upon that while we were testing to see if the problem was local to his single user account, or global to the system. You could give that trick a try, or if you're willing to spend some time on this, we could provide you with some special builds of Nisus Writer to try and track down the root cause.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-05-16 08:01:24
by michiganuser19
I'd be glad to address the root cause if that's possible ...

Thanks!

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-05-16 14:08:33
by martin
Thanks, I just sent an email to the address you provided when registering with the Nisus forums.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-07-16 05:38:16
by michiganuser19
Hello -- could you please resend/restart? I never received the email back in May. Since then I've sent a couple PMs, trying to follow up; but there may be a system problem, as so far I've had no reply. Thank you.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-10-01 19:44:40
by michiganuser19
This problem has just returned, after switching to a different computer. That means it has persisted, now for months, and I haven't yet received any pm's or other communication, so don't know what to do about it. I'm having to open all doc files in Word. I can try the tricks of logging out & logging in again, etc., but it's hardly a longterm solution. Thanks.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-12-13 06:18:50
by Frankns
I'm seeing the same thing ... or something very similar on my machine.

Running version 2.0.4/0400.0404.01, and each time I attempt to open a .doc or .docx file, the "translation" fails and I ask to use the alternative importer. The MacOS X importers work fine. And when I login to my test account, open Nisus, close and logout - the fix suggested above - nothing changes.

Glad to help troubleshoot.

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-12-18 05:51:41
by michiganuser19
Thanks, Frankns. Let's hope you bumping this thread will lead to some attention (and help).

I still have the same problem, and it has persisted for many months now. No signs of progress. Few signs of response from Nisus either, which is the most frustrating part. I wrote separately to the support email, several times, and most recently at the start of autumn. I received this reply on Oct 19:

**********

I'm sorry you experience difficulties with Nisus Writer Pro.

We are aware of this, but have been busy with other tasks. This same problem seems to be shared by one other of our users, and one that unfortunately needs significant time to address. So, we are aware of it, and have it on our list to fix.

Thank you for your patience.


**********

I'm not encouraged by that reply -- and I have heard nothing since then. I can't believe it has taken this long. I also can't believe the stated rationale -- that the protracted time is needed to deal with one other user.

Currently I have no choice but to use a cumbersome workaround: open all DOC files in Word, then resave as RTF, then open the RTF version in Nisus, then delete the DOC version in Finder. This is a pain. All the more so when repeated over and over (and over and over).

Re: Problems opening files/alternative importer always neede

Posted: 2012-12-18 06:06:41
by Frankns
And while the OSX filters work ... they don't work especially well.

I'm with you. Looking forward to something happening soon.