Resources

What is an SWX File?

SWX files are the native data format used in Flash and the SWX format is an open source format. It is often used in relation to OpenOffice.org applications. For techie types, check out the SWXformat.org page for more details about this format. For the rest of us, let’s see if we can’t figure out how to open your SWX file. I’m assuming that you are using one of the OpenOffice.org (or the closely related StarOffice) applications, such as the word processor for writing your letters.

Update OpenOffice.org

First, if you haven’t updated your software in a while, now’s a good time. Updates often address known issues with the software and introduce new features. Between updates, developers have been working out the kinks, possibly solving problems such as yours. You won’t get the benefit of these improvements if you don’t download the latest updates.

Update Java

OpenOffice.org relies heavily on other open source technologies including Java. Head over to Java.com and make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer.

Update Adobe Flash

Since the SWX file format is related to Adobe Flash, make sure that your Flash Player is also fully updated. You’ll need to uninstall earlier versions before downloading and installing the latest version.

Check your File Associations

Open Windows Explorer by going to the Start button, right-clicking it, and choosing Explore. Now find the document containing your letter. Right-click the document and choose Properties. Under the General tab, you should see an Open With option. Is the OpenOffice.org program listed? If not, change this setting and click OK. Try to open the SWX file after making this change.

Try a Document Converter

Document converters are available that will convert OpenOffice.org files to different file types. For example, if you have Microsoft Word, you may be able to convert your OpenOffice.org .SWX file to a Microsoft Word .DOC file. I found a free online converter that claims to be able to convert OpenOffice.org files here. Another converter I found is located here (you may need to scroll down to find the one titled “Document Converter”). I haven’t tested these, so I can’t vouch for their results.

What is an 8FM File?

Hmmn, this is a tough one. I’ve checked my favorite resource for file extensions and performed a general search for the file extension 8FM and came up empty. The closest I came was that perhaps it’s a File Maker (file extension .FM) file but that doesn’t ring true to me.

What is an XLS File?

This one’s an easy one. XLS is the file format of Microsoft Excel. When you save an Excel spreadsheet, it is typically saved with an .XLS file extension, or in the case of Excel 2007, an .XLSX file extension.

Why did the XLS File change into an 8FM File?

Not knowing what an 8FM file is, makes this difficult to determine. It could have been an option made while saving the spreadsheet, though I didn’t find this format listed as a format choice in Excel. Perhaps the file was opened in a different application and saved into this strange format by accident. File corruption could have affected the file as well as could a computer virus.

What happens when you look in the original folder where the original XLS file was located? Are there multiple versions of the XLS file? For example, when AutoSave kicks in during an Excel lockup, you’ll often see multiple versions of the same file such as the original file and a second file with the same name and “(AutoSaved)” in the title. The reason I ask is that you may be able to recover the AutoSave version as a last resort.

Conversion Steps

Since the file was originally an XLS file, let’s see if renaming the file extension does any good. Go into Windows Explorer (right-click the Start button and choose Explore) and navigate to the XLS, or shall I say, 8FM file. Now, right-click the file and choose Rename. Keep the file name the same but change the extension from .8FM to .XLS.

Now, try to open the file. Did that do the trick?

If not, go back to the file in Explorer and right-click it. This time, choose Properties. See where it says Open With? Make sure that Excel is the default program for that file. Make the change if necessary and then click OK. Now, try to open the file again.

Opening Corrupt Spreadsheets

If you’re still having problems and suspect the file is corrupt, check out this article on opening corrupt Excel files: Is it Possible to Open a Corrupt Excel Spreadsheet?

What Are .7z Extensions?

.7z extensions are unusual, but it is easy to find a reliable download that will help you create and open these files. .7z is a compressed archive that was created with Pavlov’s 7-zip file compression utility. It uses LZMA open source compression as its default, but also supports new compression methods. LZMA compression ratios are usually very efficient. Currently, it has these integrated: LZMA, PPMD, BCJ, BCJ2 and Bzip2.

.7zip was originally created for Windows, although there are now programs for Mac and Linux. Some of the features of .7zip files that are not found in other compression programs include:

• unpacking and renaming corrupted archive filenames
• creating self-extracting archives
• supporting volumes of dynamically variable sizes
• supporting 256-bit AES cipher for encryption. It can be enabled for files and the 7z directory structure. When you encrypt the directory structure you will need a password to see the filenames
• when used in 2-panel, 7zip is a basic orthodox file manager

Find .7z Programs

You can find many ways to open .7z files on the internet. Try these programs for .7z files for your specific operating system:

For Mac: p7zip, Ez7z, Zipeg and Sixty-Five, LTD 7zx.

For Windows: 7-zip.org, WinZip Pro, Zip Zag, PeaZip.

For Linux: p7zip PeaZip.

Run Antivirus Software

Although these sites should contain safe and reliable information, nothing is guaranteed. In order to keep your computer safe, you need to run a good antivirus program regularly, particularly when you are downloading files from freeware or shareware sites. If you have good antivirus protection on your computer already, make sure you go to the manufacturer’s website and download any updates to protect you from new threats.If you are looking for good software to catch viruses, worms, Trojans and other types of malware, you can find a comprehensive survey in this article on our website.

Lost File Association

It sounds to me as if the file association for opening the Word file has been lost. File associations are used by Windows to determine which program should be launched for working with particular file types. Occasionally, these associations are changed or removed, either on purpose or inadvertently, thus confusing the operating system. In this case, when clicking on a Word .doc file, your computer doesn’t understand that this file type requires Word to be launched.

Resetting the Word File Association

Fortunately, it’s easy to change the file association. Assuming it’s a .doc file that you are trying to create an association for, right-click the Start button and choose Explore. This opens Windows Explorer. Navigate to a .doc document (it doesn’t need to be the one you have on your desktop). Right-click the .doc document and choose Open or Open With, depending on the choice presented. Windows will display a listing of suitable programs, but Word may not be listed. If Word is listed, click it. If not, click Browse and then browse until you can select Word. Once Word is selected, make sure to place a mark in the box that sets this program as the default program type for the selected file type. That will set the file association.

Changing the Program Associated with a Desktop Document

You can also change the program used to open documents that you have stored on your Desktop. Right-click the Desktop icon and choose Properties. You should see the file name listed followed by “Type of file.” Look for “Opens with” and then click the Change button. Windows will list suggested programs. Choose the desired program and then click OK. You will also have an option to set the desired program to the default program for that file type.  

What is the PDR File Extension?

The PDR file extension is a Windows system file known as a Windows Port Driver. This driver is used for recognizing USB devices such as MP4 players, USB flash drives, and so forth. PDR files are a part of the system that allows Windows to recognize and use these USB devices.

Plug and Play Players

Most USB devices such as MP3 and MP4 players are plug and play devices. That is, when you plug them into a USB port, Windows recognizes them and automatically loads the required device drivers. However, since you have a driver disk that you must install, I’m assuming that your player is not a plug and play device.

Installing the Disc

Since the installation disc doesn’t appear to want to run automatically, let’s see if we can’t manually launch the installation program. Insert the disc and the right-click the Start button. Choose Explore and the find the CD drive in the list and click on it. The contents of the disc should show up in the pane. Look for a setup or installation program such as setup.exe or install.exe and double click it. This should launch the installation program. Hopefully, all will proceed normally without the PDR error. If not, let’s try the Add and Remove Hardware option.

Add and Remove Hardware

Go back to the Start button and click on Control Panel. Choose to manually install the hardware when prompted with a choice. Click Portable Device from the list. I would try using the Have Disk option and installing it directly from the CD. Follow the prompts.

Head to the Manufacturer’s Website

If you can’t manually install the MP4 player, then you may want to head on over to the manufacturer’s Web site and visit their tech support section. If I knew the make and model of the MP4 player, that would have been one of my first stops in researching your installation error. While there, double check the system requirements for your device. If you have an older PC, such as Windows 98, USB connectivity is problematic. There’s also a chance that the installation disc is bad or the PDR file on the disc is bad. Look for a replacement download on the site for your particular device and see if you can’t install it using a fresh copy of the installation program.

For further research, try Googling the entire file name, not just “PDR.” Try a few different variations including the product name and exact PDR name. For example, “Sansa MP3 player missing sample.pdr file” may turn up relevant results that related to your specific problem.

What are VOC Files?

The .voc file is a compressed Creative Labs Audio File format that is used by some sound cards for audio files or other recorded sound files. This kind of file most likely contains audio data, like music, and you will need a media player to open it. In this case, the media player that you use needs to be compatible with the sound card that was used to create the files. Unfortunately, the big names in media players, like Windows Media Player and Quicktime don’t support .voc files, and they are not very common. However, there is a media player that is capable of playing these files called WinAmp.

WinAmp

WinAmp was designed by a software development firm called Nullsoft, and released in 1997, but it is now owned by Time Warner. WinAmp Media Player is a free program, and a quick and easy download. There are almost 60 million WinAmp users around the world and it is a reliable download. There is a pro version available that cost just under twenty dollars, but the freeware version works well enough.

Where to Get WinAmp

You can get this download from the WinAmp website, and the most recent version is the 5.54. If you are running the Windows Vista operating system on your computer, there are a few known compatibility issues that will restrict WinAmp performance, but developers are working on fixes for them that will be available in future releases. Once you download the program stay on top it and keep checking back with the website until you get the updates you need. You might also want to update your drivers to make sure that everything is up to date.

WinAmp Requirements

Before you can use WinAmp, your computer will need to meet some minimum system requirements that include:

• 500 MHz Pentium III or higher processor
• 64 MB RAM
• 15 MB of available hard drive space
• 16bit sound card
• Windows 2000
• Internet Explorer 5.01 for online user support

However, these are only minimum standards, and the program developers recommend higher system preferences.